Clueless Gander

[judyc]

So, 2 years ago, I bought a pair of Buffs. The breeder sexed the adults, I thought, but with time and eggs it became apparent that he sold me two geese. Fortunately, I hatched out a young gander from another bloodline, so I thought it would be OK.

Now for the TMI part: The girls are laying, and the gander is mounting, but he's not making the , ahem, "connection." I watched them breeding the other day, and saw a trickle of "gosling juice" trickle down the side of the bottom bird. I believe that Jr. is getting his jollies 'midst the soft feathers and the eggs are not fertile.

The females are SO uh, "excited" that it turns into a three-way, with birds stacked 3-high. They seem to take turns on top. If it weren't for that trickle and the fact that two of them don't tuck their tails when up-top, I would believe I had three females. The two geese hold up their tails when in the water. It seems that they are trying their best to be "easy."

What can I do, if anything? The geese I bought as adults are both laying. The gander would be coming up to two years old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, 2 years ago, I bought a pair of Buffs. The breeder sexed the adults, I thought, but with time and eggs it became apparent that he sold me two geese. Fortunately, I hatched out a young gander from another bloodline, so I thought it would be OK.

Now for the TMI part: The girls are laying, and the gander is mounting, but he's not making the , ahem, "connection." I watched them breeding the other day, and saw a trickle of "gosling juice" trickle down the side of the bottom bird. I believe that Jr. is getting his jollies 'midst the soft feathers and the eggs are not fertile.

The females are SO uh, "excited" that it turns into a three-way, with birds stacked 3-high. They seem to take turns on top. If it weren't for that trickle and the fact that two of them don't tuck their tails when up-top, I would believe I had three females. The two geese hold up their tails when in the water. It seems that they are trying their best to be "easy."

What can I do, if anything? The geese I bought as adults are both laying. The gander would be coming up to two years old.

Practice makes perfect.

 

[judyc]

I would have thought he would get enough practice this spring. I suppose I'd better look around for another gander.

 

[The goose girl]

Do they have a pool to mate in? According to my breeder, a mating pool drastically increases egg fertility. It makes it much easier for the gander to mount and aim correctly. A kiddie pool should be sufficient.

 

[markt1]

I have had a similar problem with my gander. Two females, 24 eggs, and only ONE fertile! I even took them into work after 30 days to look at them on the company XRAY machine. Nope, none fertile or even partially developed. A 4% success rate... So I got a bunch of hatchlings from Metzers which I'm hoping will have at least one male to fill the gap this spring. Does anyone know if a 2 year goose will mate with a 1-year gander?

 

[servpolice]

I have a 7 year old chinese who is paired with a 2 year embden gander ! Quite pervy but geese will do it with any goose at any age

 

[servpolice]

and this will solve your answer a year old gander is rarly fertile at any breed except canadian and at year 2 they are extremly fertile so thats your answer

 

[servpolice]

African geese can have fertility problems their whole life at any age and a other tip is that year old ganders are kept forr breeding when they are 2 years old

Year old gander-20% fertility
2year old gander 90% fertility
5 year old gander 100% fertility
10 year old gander (depending on breed) 70% fertility
really old gander back down to 20 % fertility or a bit higher

this is also with females except at year one they have a higher % then males

 

[judyc]

They do have a pool. That is where they mate. (or try to mate) I'm going to the Lebanon show on Saturday. Boy, if I see any Buffs, I'll be REAL tempted to get a gander who knows where the deposit is supposed to go.

 

[servpolice]

Haha you know what you should do just grab the cage if u see a buff gander and steal it! So you get out cheaper