American Buff Geese

[Miss Lydia]

When my goose was sitting I wanted to make sure there were gosling in the eggs so I candled at day 10. I would go in a pick Missy up after I chased off Sam then I’d sit Missy out side the door once I got her outside she’d go eat and drink that gave me a chance to put the eggs in a towel lined box and take them inside where it’s dark in a closet. Why let them keep it up if they aren’t going to hatch any goslings it’s rough on them.

 

[Callender Girl]

Okay, I will try candling the eggs, although I don't really know what I'm doing. I have Gale Damerow's book on hatching and brooding chicks, and I will study the part on candling. As today is a cold, rainy, muddy day, I will give it a shot tomorrow.

Today, I just finished getting one of my Faverolles to take oral meds; I believe her injured toe is going to fall off anyway.

Thankfully, I have happy, healthy chicks in brooders upstairs. I think I will just go up there, watch them and enjoy their little beings. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did she have frost bite? I am sorry. I tell ya my SF are the most tender footed chickens I have ever had I think all 5 last year had bumble foot and this year I have already treated 1

 

[Callender Girl]

No. Although I did have a few chickens with some damaged comb tips from frostbite. this injury more likely occurred during the nest box wars. In a coop with only three hens and four nest boxes, Celeste and her Fav sister, Camille, have daily squabbles over the only nest box either wants to lay in. In fact, some days they both squeeze into it at the same time. And take turns screaming at each other. Siblings!!!

 

[donkeydew2farms]

I have to say when one of my geese mates the whole world knows . I fine they breed better if they have a pool. I have two sitting now Fred American blue and willie African buff. they are in a pen all to them selves. and a American buff I am not sure who is the mate. and the eggs will be a mix ha all three female wanted to lay in the same nest. I was hoping they would pair off with there own kind lol not happening.

 

[bluemerle]

Someone local may have a batch of Buff goslings soon! Do the female goslings tend to be darker colored than the male goslings like in some other breeds, or is it generally impossible to tell them apart?

 

[Callender Girl]

I, who just learned that my "pair" is actually two females, would be the wrong person to ask, right? I THOUGHT I had a breeding couple, purchased straight run from the local farm store last year, because one of the geese was larger and had a longer, thicker neck and was generally more assertive. The other was lower-slung and more gentle with a slightly more pink bill. Both made nests, laid eggs and now appear to be back to their old nest-less selves.

But, I adore them both and would have regardless of gender.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Oh that's too bad about both of your's being female @Callender Girl.

I went out yesterday after work and my hen hasn't laid anymore eggs since the first one she laid the day after they came home so I decided to fire up the LG incubator that their dad sent home with them. I imagine moving her threw her off or something... I stole the eggs back out of the nest and opened the door to the kitchen and asked my roommate to take them from me as I was in mud boots and had about six inches of black disgusting clay/mud all over them. She was in the middle of doing something in the sink so i just set them on the counter and asked her to move them when she was done. When I got back in the house a couple of hours later after feeding and watering everyone else and organizing the bird room some I found that the dogs had taken the eggs off the counter and eaten them. So I probably won't have any goslings this year either...I went ahead and set the really small egg that I'd kept in the house instead of giving her so I guess I'll see if that develops.

 

[Callender Girl]

Oh, no! I'm so sorry about your eggs!!

I was concerned that my girls would be upset about me stealing their eggs and dismantling their nests, but after the first day, they were back to their old selves.

That means Gussie, whom I was sure was a goose, is still sweet and snuggly. And, Golly, whom I thought was a gander, is still a bit more standoffish. I'm sure the ducks are "glad" to have the geese back in the yard, herding them into unnecessary parades.

 

[donkeydew2farms]

Oh I am sorry about your eggs my dog has done the same . I have two girls sitting this year I would like to see the babies get raised my there parents ha you wait and see I will end up with 20 or so babies. hope not. but it will be fun watching them and learning.