Experience with Grazing Geese on Pasture

Under large field and model experimental conditions large flocks of geese were grazed. Rotational grazing was utilised in order to avoid sward damage by overgrazing and environmental pollution by too much goose droppings on the grazed area. Observations included grazing habits of geese, selection of grasses and herbs by geese, rotational grazing and use of electric fences, effect of goose droppings on grass and the necessity of grain supplementation for meat geese grazed on pasture. Our experiences show that the geese grazed deeper into the sward canopy than any other grazing domestic animal in Hungary. The geese did not select between edible grasses, but inedible grasses, old and tall grass shoots and many herbs were left ungrazed. Rotational grazing can successfully be utilised in practice without any sward deterioration. Electric fencing is suitable for keeping geese in a paddock, but geese have to become accustomed to it.