I just got a pair of Embdens yesterday. My males name is Bo Bo, and the females name is Flow. Turns out that Flow is a tufted embden goose. I was excited because I didn't know Embdens could be tufted. But they are very sweet and gentle. But of course they still hiss at me but it's hard not to think they are cute.
Hi, congratulations on your new geese. Embdens are absolutely gorgeous, although I may well be accused of being bias in my opinion.
I hatched three this year and a buddy bought me another female to pair them off.
the hatchers are a lot friendlier, although Constance, the new one, is pretty good, she is not used to so much human contact so is a bit more wary although she is getting better.
they will not be so gentle come egg laying time, it is quite likely they will hiss, honk, beat you and try to eat you. don't worry too much, they are just being goosey, it is natural for them to protect eggs and chicks. just be respectful and they will get over it in a few months and be back to their normal charming selves until the next egging season.
I discovered today that my ones like having vegetable cuttings put in a bucket which is then filled with water. it's a bit like apple bobbing but with vegetable cut offs.
they had the leafy bits of a cauliflower, the stalk chopped up into small bits, carrot and parsnip shavings and a bit of cabbage leaf.
they looked a little unsure for about 5 mins then went berserk trying to munch it all up.
your tufted embden will be a crossbreed. it will make no difference to how cute they are, they are completely loveable no matter what. embdens do not naturally have a tufted head. the only difference it will make is that it will not be quite as big as a purebred. it will not make a massive difference in size, maybe a pound or two, but unless you are planning to eat them then it doesn't really matter (although my guess is it would be Just as tasty; but I don't think I could ever eat a goose now I have them running round the property).
I lay on the ground and let my geese groom me. they seem to enjoy it, pulling my hair and clothes in a mostly gentle fashion. if you do the same then watch your ears, it tends to hurt a bit when they chew on them.
they are not so good with little children around the same size as them, they will make a beeline for them and pull them around. shiny clothing also invites them to pull the wearer around.
they do love people (well mine do anyway) and will go see anyone walking along our driveway; some people think they are being aggressive but the way to tell is if their heads are up and they settle down as they reach the visitor then they are being nosey. if they have heads down and moving like a dart then they are in fighting mood. mine tend to run flapping their wings when going down the driveway but they are still being happy like this, they look real funny honking, running and flapping, it looks like they are trying to take off.
if I sit with mine they let me have hugs and I use it as an excuse to pull the moulting feathers out gently. the jibber jabber an awful lot but are rarely ever noisy.
they shout at the wind if it gets real blowy but mostly squeak and gently honk between themselves.
I wish you good fortune and heaps of fun with your new geese, they are much better than dogs, nobody can bribe a goose!!
