Raising geese for down...anyone?

[miss_thenorth]

Although, some ppl like the geese for pets, and want a way to "use them" for a profit of sorts.

If I had more land, I would have geese. so I would definitely entertain a humane way of using them for a hobby/profit.

 

[ticks]

Although, some ppl like the geese for pets, and want a way to "use them" for a profit of sorts.

If I had more land, I would have geese. so I would definitely entertain a humane way of using them for a hobby/profit.

So down, or is that not humane?

 

[miss_thenorth]

Although, some ppl like the geese for pets, and want a way to "use them" for a profit of sorts.

If I had more land, I would have geese. so I would definitely entertain a humane way of using them for a hobby/profit.

So down, or is that not humane?

Not quite following you there.

 

[Beekissed]

Actually, that's not a bad idea at all. I think the price to buy, feed, and house the geese would be more than if you just bought the pillow.

Well, I would like to have the geese for more than down production. I just thought, as I will have them anyway, why not get a breed known for down picking and utilize an otherwise wasted resource. I would like to have a breeding pair, sell the eggs or goslings, let them mow my orchard, keep the bugs out of my garden when the chickens are too destructive, maybe eat an offspring...who knows?

I make miniature quilts and I would like to use the down for these and pillows. Why buy one that was produced commercially, when I can make my own? I mean, we are posting on a self-sufficient forum, are we not?

 

[ticks]

Although, some ppl like the geese for pets, and want a way to "use them" for a profit of sorts.

If I had more land, I would have geese. so I would definitely entertain a humane way of using them for a hobby/profit.

So down, or is that not humane?

Not quite following you there.

You would make a profit off down?

 

[Beekissed]

Yes, ticks...just like the yard sales! Down-filled items are a little pricey. Add hand-made to the mix and you can sell them for a good price. If the money you make is even a little more than your expenditure, then it is considered profit. If you free range a goose on pasture, sell the goslings or eggs for hatching, eat extra offspring, harvest the down for hand made articles, it is conceivable that one may make a profit. Even if one doesn't make a profit, it can make raising geese for fun a more profitable venture.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Yes, ticks...just like the yard sales! Down-filled items are a little pricey. Add hand-made to the mix and you can sell them for a good price. If the money you make is even a little more than your expenditure, then it is considered profit. If you free range a goose on pasture, sell the goslings or eggs for hatching, eat extra offspring, harvest the down for hand made articles, it is conceivable that one may make a profit. Even if one doesn't make a profit, it can make raising geese for fun a more profitable venture.

What she said!! :coolsun

 

[RLAZ]

Do you make pillows or quilts out of goose down?

I'm just wondering if you already do or if your planning to....?

 

[Beekissed]

I plan to do so. I also have an idea I might try this weekend...now, hear me out....

I have an old down throw that I am going to turn into a chick-mama. I'm going to design a chicken body that has an empty cavity in the middle with a draw-string opening. Just the right size for a 20 oz. pop bottle. I am going to sew on "wings" filled with down that have a wire frame-up. The whole thing will resemble a chicken and the wings will be posable. One can put hot water in the bottle and put it in the middle. If one were to place the "chick-mama", with the hot water in it, in a brooder and pose the wings in an outspread position about 2 in. off the floor, with the ends (wing tips) bent to stand on the floor....it would resemble a hen with her wings outspread. With the warmth from the bottle, surrounded by the down, and the wings being filled with down...I bet the chicks I have now will sleep under this, and remain more comfortable and cozy than under a lamp. What say you, folks?

 

[1acrefarm]

Now that is thinking out of the box. It very well should work. I wonder how long it would stay warm?