Backyard Poultry Forum

I have 4 geese and two ducks. I mostly got them to trim around my small trees so I don't have to go around and weed wack all of the time. I was just wondering how old they need to be before the grazing can make up most of their diet? I would still feed them at night but just wasn't sure on age. The are two or so weeks old now and they eat up a lot of weeds. During the day I pull weeds and put them in their little house since they are not big enough yet to scare any cats. Thanks a lot, Matt

Once they are old enough to free range then any food you give them is a bonus rather than strictly necessary.
My geese and ducks get a handfull of layer pellets each morning and night but this is just to keep them tame and friendly.
They have free range of 55 acres so they certainly don't need anything.
A little each day will just top up their daily vitamin/mineral intake if they are lacking anything.

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Buff Cochins, Light Sussex (Standard & Bantam), Silkies, Salmon Faverolles, Coloured Indian Runners, Geese, Peafowl (Blues, Pied and Whites), Dogs, Cats, Goats, Sheep, Alpacas and Horses!

But what is old enough. What age can the birds graze for a diet?

my ducklings graze from when mum brings them out of the nest. they also get chicken crumble twice a day. morning & evening.

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I have chooks, muscoveys, geese, parrots, cats, dogs and 1 long suffering hubby

I would say somewhere between 4-6 weeks of age, by then they should be able to stand the elements and be safe from aerial predators - presuming their grazing area is well fenced.

Quality & variety of pasture would need consideration. For example, rank old grass in a mono-culture would provide poor quality grazing. Suggest varying amount of feed supplementation dependent of pasture being good or bad. Some grain/pellets should be fed anyway, for as you say, just to keep them tame.

regards

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Where every day's a Sunday

For them to be safe from predators - they should be 8months.

Mine all graze during the day from about 3 months with wheat or bread available at night to keep them warm. The younger they are the more night time feed is needed to keep them warm.

Regards

Tim

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If you can keep chooks, geese will be a BREEZE!