Hello all -
Through the summer, I started talking to an older woman at my church who has rasied Africans for 25+ years. A pair she claims to have had 23 years hatched out a brood of 5 this summer and she wanted to rehome her other pair of geese, as she's in need of space. I gladly accepted the pair into our flock, and after their quarantine, they're out free ranging with the chickens & ducks.
I absolutely love these geese. They're not friendly, but not aggressive or pushy in any way. They're actually pretty shy, and will avoid conflict unless you corner them. Then, look out! The gander is quite protective of the hen. All in all, they're very regal looking and I love having them in my yard.
I've done a bit of googling on them but haven't seen much on life expectancy of these birds. She said the hen who laid and brooded the goslings is 23. The pair I have, she purchased 8 years ago as goslings. How long do they actually live?
I think I have a male and a female. I think. Here's a couple pics:
Female?
Male?
Is there only a cartain time of year they breed or am I just missing it? I've yet to see him mount her, and I've had them about 6 weeks. The previous owner said that she lays 30 or so eggs every Spring but she never sets on them. She didn't know if they were fertile or not. I want babies. LOL
Anyway, any advice, facts, personal experiences are welcome.
Blessings-
Em
Through the summer, I started talking to an older woman at my church who has rasied Africans for 25+ years. A pair she claims to have had 23 years hatched out a brood of 5 this summer and she wanted to rehome her other pair of geese, as she's in need of space. I gladly accepted the pair into our flock, and after their quarantine, they're out free ranging with the chickens & ducks.
I absolutely love these geese. They're not friendly, but not aggressive or pushy in any way. They're actually pretty shy, and will avoid conflict unless you corner them. Then, look out! The gander is quite protective of the hen. All in all, they're very regal looking and I love having them in my yard.
I've done a bit of googling on them but haven't seen much on life expectancy of these birds. She said the hen who laid and brooded the goslings is 23. The pair I have, she purchased 8 years ago as goslings. How long do they actually live?
I think I have a male and a female. I think. Here's a couple pics:
Female?
Male?
Is there only a cartain time of year they breed or am I just missing it? I've yet to see him mount her, and I've had them about 6 weeks. The previous owner said that she lays 30 or so eggs every Spring but she never sets on them. She didn't know if they were fertile or not. I want babies. LOL
Anyway, any advice, facts, personal experiences are welcome.
Blessings-
Em