Christmas Geese and Appleyard Ducks

[greyfields]

Quote:
I have Silver Appleyards, too. But if I had to choose another breed, it would be the Saxonies. They're gorgeous. I jsut prefer the looks of the Appleyards (and their larger size) just a bit more, so went with them.

 

[NYREDS]

The Christmas Goose is a fine tradition. Glad to see it's being kept alive.

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

I remember back when we lived in Germany there was always at least 1 farm in the area that raised 50 or so geese and they would advertise 1-2 weeks before christmas. You would go there, pick-out a life goose which then would be caught in front of you, marked and put in a stall(with other differently marked geese) to be fattened up for a week. A week later you would get the call to pick-up your freezer ready bird.

This practice was quite common 6 yrs ago(at least in my area), dunno if it still is.

I love goose and Muscovy duck, don't care much for regular duck. This year will be the first christmas without goose, since we couldn't find any..... we will Hovever have 7 muscovy drakes that will go in the freezer so I think we will be OK.

 

[MissPrissy]

Awww! Too bad you are over the border! I am raising the embdens and will offer them after Dec 1st for other people's Christmas dinner.

 

[fancyfowl4ever]

Oh well, I will be getting a gosling or two from a friend next year, and if I can find a pair at the auction I am all set.

I regret having gotten rid of my last pair of embdens, but my last gander did not match-up well with my goose and only produced young that were missing parts of the skull(like someone cut out the top and back of the goslings head exposing the brain, ewww).

I hatched at least 11 goslings with exposed brains, they died within hours of hatching.

 

[kenman]

Miss Pris,
Would you mind telling me what you will sell your geese for? I know someone with several Emdem and would like to purchase two for breeding and one for eating. I have know idea what a reasonable price would be. Thanks for any help.

 

[MissPrissy]

My embdens are well over 20lbs each. They will be $75 - $95 each for the supper table.

Some places you will be lucky to get $15 for a goose because no one wants them and few people eat them as standard holiday fair anymore.

Be willing to pay the seller there fair value.

Christmas goose is a lost tradition and truly luxurious dining.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

I would raise a few for someone else if they would give me those prices, thats seems like a fair profit. Especially since they just eat grass.

 

[MissPrissy]

They don't just eat grass if you feeding them out for a quality table bird. My birds also get a daily ration of flock raiser as well as cracked corn now that they are beginning to approach the age of dispatch.

I am sure goose raised solely on grass and water is good to eat but a nice fatty goose with a beautiful fully liver will be even better eating. they have rich red almost beefy like meat. Well worth the feed given to them.

If you plan to keep some for breeding they will also need a gamebird/waterfowl feed to maximize their ability to lay eggs and produce strong viable embryos.

If you just want something to mow the grass it will not be the same quality as a bird raised with a table purpose.

 

[greyfields]

I sell at $4.75/lb dressed. I give them flock raiser as well while in the brooder until they're feathered; then finish them the last month with grain too. I also put brewer's yeast in with the flock raiser, since it's not a complete waterfowl ration.