Chicken Whisperer Fall 2025 | Page 12

Alternative Flock Goosie Loosie

scalding or wax-dipping for clean results.

Most homesteaders raise geese seasonally and process them in late fall. This aligns with traditional holiday feasts and allows geese to reach prime weight after months of pasture.

But finding processors willing to do geese can be tricky— so many small-scale farmers choose to do it themselves or invest in specialized equipment.

Quick Goose Comparison Table

Breed Avg. Weight Temperament Egg Yield Best For

Cotton Patch

8 to 10 pounds

Pilgrim 12 to 14 pounds

American Buff

14 to 16 pounds

The Holiday Table: A New Tradition?

In many cultures, a goose is still the centerpiece of the winter holiday meal. In Germany, it’ s Weihnachtsgans( Christmas goose). In the United Kingdom, it’ s still a favored alternative to turkey. Even Charles Dickens wrote of a goose with reverence in A Christmas Carol.

Yet in modern American households, goose rarely makes it to the table.

That may change. With the rise in farm-to-table eating, regenerative agriculture and nose-to-tail cooking, more families are embracing geese as seasonal meat birds. Unlike industrial poultry, homegrown goose represents a celebration of the seasonal, slow-grown, richly flavored reward for those who have nurtured them through spring and summer.

For farmers, offering a few processed geese each fall can fill a niche market— and those eggs, feathers and weeding services are value-added year-round

. Raising Geese: Getting Started Thinking about adding geese to your homestead? Here’ s what you’ ll need:

• Pasture access: The more, the better. They love grass and weeds.

• Clean water: A deep tub for bathing and cleaning sinuses is essential.

• Secure fencing: Especially if predators are a concern.

• Basic shelter: Low, dry, draft-free coops or lean-tos.

• Patience: Geese are slow growers. Expect 20 to 28 weeks to butcher weight.

• Respect for their nature: Handle goslings young to improve temperament.

Hatcheries like Metzer Farms, Holderread Waterfowl and private breeders of heritage lines can provide goslings in spring. Breeding your own can be rewarding but requires strong genetics and seasonal planning.

Final Honks:

The goose, once the unsung hero of the farmstead, is waddling its way back into relevance. From their powerful grazing abilities and nutrient-dense meat to their charming personalities and conservation value, geese are more than just loud lawn ornaments.

They are part of a larger movement— toward intentional, seasonal, sustainable living.

So, this year, as you plan your spring hatch or fall harvest, consider giving geese a gander. You may find that the loudest voice on your homestead also brings the most underrated value.

NO MATTER WHAT SIZE EGG, BIRD, FLOCK, OR FARM GQF HAS YOU COVERED.

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