Reviews by billrey

I've had a number of different types of geese over the years, some were very aggressive and some not like the Buff. The aggressiveness towards me doesn't worry me, since I know how to handle them. It's the aggression towards other people and the other critters in the barnyard that concerns me. So, this is biggest reason I've settled on the Buff or Buff mix. They are aggressive enough to deal with eggs snatcher, bully turkeys and dogs. But, on the other hand, they are calm when interacting with the other critters in the yard. They are good layers and good mothers and the Gander is very active in protecting the young. The bird is a medium sized and great for smaller family without overwhelming the frig with leftovers. The best time to butch is as they are coming off the green grass of summer or early fall. The only time I've notice a great deal of noise from these geese is during the spring mating time, it seems to be a group affair where one is mounting, one is being mounted and the rest will circle around and cheer! The Buffs, like all water fowl, love the water for bathing, however a fresh snow fall of an inch or two will work too. The Buffs do very well in this northern Minnesota cold. They have access to a coop, but most often they are outside in the snow. To date I've not had any of these geese perish to cold weather and we get down to -40° plus wind, nor have they experienced any frost bite of the feet.

Now, let me address the Con! Geese eat a lot of greenery, including flowers and small shrubs. If they don't eat the plant, they will damage the plant by tasting it. This tasting is their only way to find out if something is edible for them. But, in doing so, the plant is damage, pulled out of the ground and/or left in very poor shape. So, if you are free ranging the geese ,of any variety, make sure they don't have access to your gardens!

So, if you looking for a medium sized goose that is calm and for the most part quiet, the Buff is your bird!

I have six Royal Palm turkeys that are now about 5-6 months old. Thus far, I have not butchered any of the toms, but will once once we are through the rough part of our Minnesota winter. They are very good at foraging for their own food and come a running when some corn is scattered about for the chicken prior to roost. They roost most often on a fence rail, but sometimes in a large pine above the chicken coop. They get along with the rest of the critters; guineas, geese, goats, chickens and a Maremma, but sometime don't see eye to eye with one on my ganders. They seem to be handling the Minnesota climate just fine. Right now the temps are at a daytime high of 0 and nighttime around 15-20 below. No signs of frost bite. The toms are just learning they can gobble, which to me is a cool sound indeed.

We enjoyed watching the six of them hunt for grasshoppers and such in the hay field right after a cutting. I am looking forward to hatching a few out come spring and adding to the flock. If interested, I might even have enough eggs or chicks to sell in the spring. Let me know if interested!

These are not large turkeys, so do not expect to find large meaty breast at butchering time, like those of those over-breed, chemically feed store bought's. They are friendly enough to pet when on roost, but do not like to be picked up.

They have been a good addition to my hobby farm!

Update: We here in NW Minnesota (Jan 2014) just experienced a bitter cold Polar Vortex that pushed the temperature down into the -30° and lower range and wind chill down into the -50° range. Only one of the hens decided to use the coop to roost at night, the rest roosted in a large pine. Not one issue, thus far, with these turkeys and bitter cold weather.