2012 Sebastopol Gosling Pics

[aoxa]

And I can see why!

Rosa gets bigger by the minute, I swear it!

Look at that dewlap already!

 

[Cottage Rose]

Its amazing how fast they grow isn't it?
I remember noticing a difference in size in my goslings after being away for just a weekend.

 

[aoxa]

Its amazing how fast they grow isn't it?

I remember noticing a difference in size in my goslings after being away for just a weekend.

They seem to double in size every week before week 8, don't they? Crazy.. They were constantly changing. They have the docility of a small little call duck though. I had to kick them out of the brooder early because I was afraid they would smother my chicks by week two due to their size lol.

I love how they stick together and when apart call each other with loud honks (as they call me once I return home).

 

[Cottage Rose]

Yep, geese are cool!

 

[aaajjss1]

I have a couple of questions.
One is my goose and gander have some dry flaky looking places on their bills is that normal?

And second my four month old gander tried to bite my daughter today as she walked past him, she was walking kinda fast and had a dress on, she spends the most time with the birds next to me so it worries me, .He also bites chickens. Is he just going to be mean or what? I let him free range all day on about 1/2 acre maybe i shouldn't.

Any suggestions?

 

[Cottage Rose]

I'm not sure what the dry, flaky bill is all about.
Might be some sort of fungal disorder but I have no knowledge of anything geese might get along these lines
but it makes me wonder since you have two with it. Maybe somebody else will be able to advise you on that situation.
Keep an eye on it and see if it continues or spreads you might want to contact a vet.

It's not unusual for ganders to get aggressive but 4 months is a little early.
You do need to be concerned for your child and never allow her near the geese unsupervised as a
gander can indeed cause injury by biting or wing flogging.
The aggression you are describing is more commonly seen in older ganders during the breeding season
but he is obviously trying to assert his dominance which they start doing around 5 - 6 months old but usually
with other ganders not people. He needs to know whose boss.
You could try the hugging method. If you comes after you or your child, nab him by the neck,
get a hold of him securely and hug him or pin him down to the ground for a few minutes
This will sometimes settle aggressive ganders down who are often bullies that just need to be put in their place.
Repeat as needed and good luck. Let me know if it works for you.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I had a goose that arrived with a flaky bill. It was gone within a few days, I think it was just the stress of transport.

Anybody heard from Renie?

 

[RURU]

Here is our one and only gosling for 2012. Grey Splash gander.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Beautiful!
I love it this time of year when when the spring & summer babies seem to surprise me every day with a new streamer.

ETA Try saying that 10 times fast.

 

[Cottage Rose]

Here is our one and only gosling for 2012. Grey Splash gander.





Thank you Ruru for selling this gander me.

Sterling will be bred to a curly white and a curly saddleback in 2013.
Looking forward to seeing what he throws. Fingers crossed.