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Do I have a gander?

Discussion in 'Geese' started by Trefoil, Jan 23, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 23, 2012 #1
    Trefoil

    Trefoil Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Dec 7, 2011
    I don't know much about geese and am hoping someone can help me out. Sorry for the length. I got a pair of farm toulouse geese last winter, my gander got killed, so I answered an ad from a nice lady and got 2 geese from her, neither one of us could tell for sure if they were goose or gander, but she was almost sure at least one was a gander. I kept them locked up for a while and when I let them all together they hung together, so all was good. But when I put my runner ducks that I had hatched out in an outside pen during the day, my original goose wanted them, so I let them out with her & she adopted them, chasing the other 2 geese and everybody else away. After a while she let the other 2 geese with them but still kept the runners. So eggs started coming and i was getting eggs from all three geese, uhoh. So a couple of months ago I answered an ad on craigslist for a toulouse gander and brought him home, none of my geese will have anything to do with him (?). So he (?) chums with one of my bourbon red toms and the geese and their last years runner ducks hang. I don't know how to tell for sure if he is a male and if he is, will the other geese accept him when spring comes?
     
  3. Jan 24, 2012 #2
    pete55

    pete55 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Feb 19, 2011
    Suffolk, UK
    Hi
    I usually go by behaviour and watch the interactions in a group. Also try to look for other factors such as size, shape of head etc. However these are only indicators and the only certain way is to have the bird vent sexed and confirm that a penis is visible. Maybe the seller is experienced and can do that for you.

    For younger birds where we need to be accurate with sexing we send a few feathers off for DNA sexing. We usually get the results in a week and costs about $20.

    Pete
     
  5. Jan 24, 2012 #3
    boxedcow

    boxedcow Out Of The Brooder

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    May 11, 2011
    Southampton, Massachusetts
    I am by no means an expert. But I can tell you from my sort of recent experience purchasing a goose (toulouse/african) for my gander (african) in September. She followed him everywhere and he would run away from her at first, then he would chase her away. It took a good couple of weeks for them to tolerate each other and things to even out. Now he is in total love and follows her everywhere and she him. I would just give it some time for them to warm up to each other.

    Do you have any pictures?
     

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