Starting your journey into backyard poultry is both exciting and rewarding. Whether you want fresh eggs, natural lawn care, or a fun homestead hobby, poultry can bring life and value to your backyard. Many first-time keepers wonder if they should start with geese or hens—or maybe even both! If you're planning to buy laying hens for fresh eggs and self-sufficiency, there are some important things to know. But don’t overlook the surprising benefits of raising geese too.



In this easy-to-read guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before bringing laying hens and geese to your backyard flock. We'll compare their care, benefits, behavior, and what makes each bird special. This article is especially helpful if you’re just starting out and want to make the best decisions for your space and goals.



Why Backyard Poultry is So Popular

Backyard poultry is booming across the USA. With the rising interest in healthy living, sustainable food, and simple living, more people are adding chickens and geese to their homes. Here’s why:



Fresh, organic eggs at home



Natural pest and weed control



Fun and educational for families



Low-cost entry into small-scale farming



And it all starts with the right birds.



Should You Start with Chickens or Geese?

Both laying hens and geese have their advantages. Chickens are often the first choice for beginners because they’re smaller, more common, and easy to manage. However, geese are also great for new poultry keepers—especially if you have a *** more space and want a multipurpose bird.



Let’s break down what makes each bird unique and how to decide what’s best for your homestead or backyard.



Benefits of Raising Geese

1. Natural Lawn Mowers

Geese are grazing animals that love eating grass. If you have a yard or pasture, they’ll keep it neatly trimmed with little effort on your part. They:



Eat grass and weeds



Require less grain feed



Reduce lawn care costs



They’re the perfect natural mowers!



2. Low Feed Costs

Because geese eat mostly grass (especially in warmer seasons), they cost less to feed than chickens. They need:



Minimal grain



Fresh water



Occasional supplements



If you're looking for a budget-friendly poultry option, geese are a strong contender.



3. Great Guard Animals

Geese are alert, loud, and protective. They can serve as natural alarms, warning you of intruders, predators, or anything unusual. Many people raise geese alongside chickens to help guard the flock.



4. Sustainable Meat Source

Goose meat is rich and flavorful. If you're building a self-sufficient homestead, geese can provide:



A large meat yield per bird



Holiday meals (especially around Christmas)



Extra protein for the family



5. Natural Fertilizer

Like all poultry, geese produce excellent manure that boosts soil health. Their droppings are nitrogen-rich, helping gardens and lawns thrive.



What to Know Before Raising Geese

Before jumping in, here are some quick tips:



Geese need outdoor space to graze.



A small water tub is enough for bathing.



They can be loud, so check with neighbors.



Some breeds are more aggressive than others—choose carefully.



Breeds like Sebastopol and Pilgrim geese are great for beginners due to their gentle nature.



Benefits of Raising Laying Hens

If your main goal is fresh eggs, you’ll want to buy laying hens. Chickens are the most common backyard bird for a***d reason.



1. Daily Fresh Eggs

One healthy laying hen can produce 250–300 eggs per year. With just 3–5 hens, you can feed your family fresh eggs daily. Benefits of chicken eggs:



Rich in protein and vitamins



No hormones or antibiotics



Farm-to-table freshness



2. Small Space Friendly

Chickens don’t need as much space as geese. You can raise them in:



Urban backyards



Suburban lots



Small homesteads



Even a few square feet per bird is enough when they have a safe coop and run.



3. Educational for Kids

Raising hens is fun and educational for children. Kids can learn about:



Responsibility



Animal care



Where food comes from



Many schools and families start with chickens for this reason.



4. Natural Pest Control

Chickens love bugs! They will gladly eat:



Ticks



Beetles



Grubs



Mosquito larvae



This makes your yard more comfortable and reduces pests naturally.



5. Garden Helpers

Chickens scratch, dig, and poop—all helpful for gardens. Their waste is a powerful fertilizer, and they keep garden beds free from insects.



What to Know Before You Buy Laying Hens

Buying laying hens is easy, especially from reputable sellers like Ayla Backyard Poultry. But here are a few tips before bringing them home:



1. Pick the Right Breed

Some hens are better layers, while others are more docile or cold-hardy. Great beginner-friendly breeds include:



Rhode Island Red – consistent layers, friendly



ISA Brown – high egg output



Australorp – calm and reliable



Barred Rock – hardy and social



2. Have a Coop Ready

Your hens will need:



A secure coop with ventilation



Nesting boxes (1 box per 3 hens)



Perches for roosting



Predator-proof fencing



Make sure everything is set before your birds arrive.



3. Feed and Water

Feed them a quality layer pellet, along with:



Fresh water daily



Occasional kitchen scraps



Oyster shells for strong eggshells



4. Time Commitment

Chickens are fairly easy, but still require:



Daily feeding



Regular coop cleaning



Egg collection



Health checks



Comparing Geese and Laying Hens

Feature Geese Laying Hens

Primary Benefit Grazing, meat, guarding Egg production

Space Needed Larger pasture Small coop & run

Feed Cost Low (grass-based) Moderate (grain-based)

Egg Output Seasonal, large eggs Daily small eggs

Noise Level Loud Moderate

Best For Larger yards, protection, grazing Urban/suburban homes, daily eggs



Raising Both Geese and Hens Together

Can you raise geese and chickens together? Absolutely — many homesteaders do! Here’s how to do it successfully:



Space:

Make sure there’s enough room for both species. Geese need grazing areas while hens need a dry coop with a run.



Feeding:

Geese mostly eat grass, but in winter they need grain. Chickens need layers’ feed daily.



Water:

Provide fresh water for both. Geese also like to splash, so give them a separate tub.



Housing:

Geese don’t roost like chickens. You can house them separately or create divided sections in your coop.



Benefits of a Mixed Flock:

Geese protect chickens from predators.



Chickens clean up insects and leftover feed.



Both fertilize your soil and reduce waste.



First-Time Buyer Tips

If this is your first time keeping poultry, here are a few smart tips:



Start small: 3–5 hens or 2 geese is a great start.



Buy from a trusted source: Choose healthy birds raised on a farm.



Check local laws: Some cities have limits on poultry.



Prepare before they arrive: Coop, feed, and supplies should be ready.



Learn as you go: Poultry keeping is a journey. Don’t stress.



Why Buy From a Farm-Based Supplier?

When you buy from a quality farm like Ayla Backyard Poultry, you get:



Healthy, well-raised birds



Breeds suited for beginners



Support and advice



A***d start to your poultry journey



Avoid pet stores or big box stores. Look for sellers who specialize in poultry and treat their animals well.



Final Thoughts

Whether you're drawn to the peaceful honks of geese or the satisfying clucks of hens, adding poultry to your homestead is a smart and rewarding step. If you're planning to buy laying hens, you're choosing a daily source of healthy, fresh eggs. But don’t overlook geese—they offer unique benefits like protection, natural mowing, and long-term companionship.



For the best of both worlds, consider starting with a small flock of hens and adding a pair of geese later. With the right setup, they can live together in harmony and bring even more joy, food, and function to your backyard.



Homesteading starts one step at a time—and that first step might just be feathered.