Can Geese Eat Grapes?

Yesterday, when my family and I went out for our little family dinner my geese took advantage of being home alone and ran into my neighbor’s grapevine. I don’t know if it was their luck or what he wasn’t there to save his vines either. So, they almost destroyed the grapevine. 

Since I haven’t spent much time with the geese I had no idea what to do. I was panicked as I had no clue if the grapes were safe for them or not.

So, I called my friend (who has been keeping geese for almost a decade) to get some information. He shared his experience and knowledge to calm me down. And now I’m here to share my experience and knowledge with you. 

Coming to the point and starting with the question that came into my mind when I saw my geese attacking the grapevine.

Can Geese Eat Grapes?

Yes, geese can eat grapes. Grapes are one hundred percent safe for them. And they love it to the point that if they are allowed they would make the grapevine disappear in just a matter of minutes.

Grapes are a treat for birds like geese, ducks, and wild turkeys

According to researchgate Grapes are a mouth-watering treat for birds like geese, ducks, and wild turkeys. They find it super delicious and once they have developed a habit of eating grapes every other day and they would beg to have more.

Ducks and geese have been eating grapes since the beginning of time

An uncountable population of ducks and geese have survived several days on grapevines since the beginning of time. Later, it was confirmed by the experts that grapes are one hundred percent safe for geese.

Grapes should only be fed chopped

Unchopped grapes become difficult for the creature like geese to pass down the throat. Especially for the overly pampered pet and domestic geese, the unchopped grapes can create a problem. 

Feed only fully ripe grapes to geese

Fully ripe grapes are less likely to cause any problems even if the “feed-in moderation” principle is neglected. Unripe ones are fine but should be avoided.

Nutritional Value of Grapes for Geese

Grapes are beneficial for geese’s health because they are enriched with several vitamins and minerals that must be a part of their diet. Have a quick look at the list of vitamins and minerals first.

• Vitamin K: The lesser-known fact about vitamin K is that animals and birds like geese need it for their blood to clot better and to prevent the chances of bleeding problems.
• Calcium: Calcium is every species’s need. Domestic laying geese need more calcium than any other birds. So, grapes are a natural source of calcium for needy geese. If the geese have access to a healthy piece of land for foraging they may never get calcium deficient but if they are solely living on treats and human foods they need calcium for their healthy survival. Calcium also assists in the development of stronger bones and beaks.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is an important mineral for the health and development of many parts of the geese’s body like bones, beaks, nerve impulses, muscle coordination, and brain neurons. Besides, these above-mentioned purposes magnesium also plays an important role in maintaining the geese’s heart health.
• Potassium: Besides, these above-mentioned purposes magnesium also plays an important role in maintaining the geese’s heart health. Potassium-rich treats and meals help in boosting overall health which in turn makes the bird more active. As per the experts, grapes are a great source of potassium for humans and birds like geese.
• Phosphorus: Phosphorus is needed by birds to maintain the acid-base balance, egg formation, and the formation of bones. A half-cup of grapes contains 15 mg of phosphorus which is enough to contribute towards the daily geese’s phosphorus requirement.
• Manganese: Manganese is a fundamental trace mineral not just for the laying geese but the older ones as well. It plays a critical role in reproduction, metabolism, clotting, and overall bird growth. It’s now clear to you how dedicatedly these vitamins and minerals are working towards the geese’s health. Let’s see what else you need to know.

Grapes Can never be a Whole Meal

Grapes can be considered a healthy snack or treat but it should never be fed as a meal. Geese are naturally grazing birds so roots, shoots, seeds, stems, grains, grass, bulbs, berries, and insects are the main source of nutrients.

Even if it’s safe, feed in moderation

It’s a treat so it should be fed as a treat. As we all know excess of everything is bad. If the feed-in moderation principle is continuously being neglected (either by the geese or their keepers) the excess vitamins and minerals can cause harm to the bird.

Lastly, I want to update you on my geese’s reaction to overeating grapes. It’s been more than 24 hours since they have attacked and overeaten the grapevine. They are doing fine, grazing, and roaming around like they normally do. I have not noticed any signs of toxicity yet. So, after having a meaningful conversation with my friend I’m planning to add grapes to their diet (but in moderation).

Summary

Yes, they can eat grapes. Grapes are a super healthy snack for birds like geese. It is loaded with several vitamins and minerals (vitamin K, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and calcium) that are necessary to boost pet/domestic geese’s health.

Geese love grapes to the point that they would prefer it over their regular meal. Geese are grazing birds so grapes can never be a healthy alternative to the grass, grains, roots, shoots, seeds, stems, bulbs, berries, and insects. 

I have just adopted geese so right now I do not consider myself an experienced geese keeper but this is all I know about this particular matter. I hope it helps.