Geese and ducks reading list....?

[Gator113]

No, not for them silly, it's for me!

It seems that everyone has a book out these days and every author claims to be an expert. Well, I trust those that live and work with these creatures, far more than clever advertisements.

So, I would certainly appreciate your take on what books a rookie should read.

Also, I already know that a wealth of information is contained within these forums and that I could likely get any question intelligently and correctly answered here, but for me, I would like even more for a foundation. Such a foundation might help me ask better questions. Besides, I'm the kind of guy that still reads the back of cereal boxes. ;>)

Thank you,

Dan

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Ducks were my first poultry that I cared for by myself. I recommend Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks. It can be purchased at TSC or on Amazon.

 

[goosedragon]

I consider The Book of Geese by Dave Holderread (same guy that wrote Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, the best available book on Geese. I think it is out of print now but you can order it directly from Dave at his website. It is a little dated now but you can see it and read the whole book at http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/414/05-234.pdf it is uploaded there to help out farmers in asia.

 

[TrystInn]

Also, for pure entertainment value, Enslaved By Ducks is excellent for laughing away those cold winter nights.

 

[3dogs]

I agree with the Holderread books. He has decades of experience with waterfowl. His pamphlet on wing disorders is also very helpful, and is also available at his website.

I read somewhere that he is updating at least one of his books - it might be the one on geese.

 

[sydney13]

my favorite is also Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks
it covers every single question you can think of

 

[The goose girl]

King Solomon's Ring by Konrad Lorenz. The story about Martina is what inspired me to have geese. I read it as a child and have loved geese ever since, even though I was 33 years old before I ever met one IRL.

Konrad Lorenz studied the behaviour of many animals, but he had a special love for the greylag goose. He was an excellent translator of goose language, and although the books offer little about breeds and general raising, the loving details on behaviour are a must for goose lovers. He also wrote The Year of the Greylag Goose and Here Am I, Where Are You?, both about goose behaviour and language.

 

[noahsgeese]

The book of geese by Dave Holderread was really helpful to me when I started! And the book called domestic geese was also helpful!

 

[CityChicker]

I would recommend anything by the Ashtons of the UK. I think The Domestic Duck is the best duck book ever written by FAR. There is no comparison. I have 3 of their other duck books as well (actually one I have also has goose information) and all of them are great. I am pretty positive they have at least one book that is also all about geese. Anyway, I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their books actually go into detail and give lots of original information, not just information and research parroted from other sources. They have actually done the research hands on (and understand the topics at hand), not just rewritten what other authors have already written.

The books by Holderread are excellent as well. If you want an easy to understand, straight forward source of information that does not go into long detail (at least in most sections), his books are awesome. Their breed handouts and other literature like the Wing Disorder handout are great as well. I know he is currently updating the Storey duck book, which is supposed to be available in the next few months. I will certainly be buying a newly revised edition as I find I reference his book a lot as well. You can't go wrong with either authors. There are things l love about both.