Geese

[chickintexas]

I bought 3 African goslings about 7 weeks ago. I was never sure why I purchased them in the first place (peer pressure probably from my friend that came along!). I never named them as is my practice with most of my yard birds. Only a couple have names but some mostly for reference. We have been discussing getting these geese processed. Or, taking care of them ourselves. Honestly, when we look at these birds, we are wondering how good they'll taste for Christmas dinner! Any info would certainly be greatly appreciated as far as self processing, taking them someplace else, or if they would even be worth it. Plus, what would be the prime age process them? Thanks!

 

[ultasol]

I like goose. Long roasting, uncovered, on rack provides a nice roasted bird. I processed my own.

 

[uhuh555]

15 to 17 weeks is best and process them like a chicken except you have to wax for pin feathers and possible singe for the little hair like feathers. My mouth is watering right now!

 

[chickintexas]

Quote:
Wax for pin feathers? Heck, I don't even get waxed!

 

[chickintexas]

So, about waxing those pin feathers...my mom and I attempted to clean a turkey years ago and we had zero clue of what we were doing. We ended up using tweezers to pull out those last feathers. One word...Nightmare! She was a lot of work to clean but still yummy, though!

 

[Serina81]

I've never eaten goose, but am looking forward to it now that I'm raising some. I have a one year old male who shot all blanks this breeding season AND he's killing my chickens. I would automatically say off with his head, but he's a Cotton Patch goose which is a really rare breed and hard to get ahold of. The breeder says I should give him one more year to make some babies because sometimes they just don't do well their first breeding season. How long can I wait to give this guy a chance before his meat gets nasty and tough? What's the oldest age to kill a goose?

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
don't know about the meat question, but I like your website/farm good job! . . . I can't help but chuckle about the combination of "off with the meanies head" and therapy.

 

[Wynette]

Folks, I've deleted almost half of this thread due to trolling in reply to another member's unsolicited comment regarding processing geese.

Reminder: It's just as wrong for you to goad another person on as it is to make a trolling comment in the first place. Just don't do it.

I've returned the thread because there is good information in here; in the future, when/if you see a thread heading in the wrong direction, remember that the "report" button is your friend.

 

[Hillsvale]

one of the quilty ... sorry

But yes this is good information as I have geese coming this weekend...

 

[Serina81]

Quote:
don't know about the meat question, but I like your website/farm good job! . . . I can't help but chuckle about the combination of "off with the meanies head" and therapy.

Good point Katy! I work with batterers (men and women who beat up women and men respectively) and other people with aggression issues, but I don't put up with it in my animals. Kind of ironic! If I had a doctorate in dealing with aggressive geese then it might be a different story, but I have no idea how to change that...and wouldn't it have to want to change?

That actually has made me really think. I'm going to have to talk to my current clients and get their input and see how they feel about it. I'll have to develop a class specifically about this issue. Farming is a lot more complicated when its main focus is emotional therapy!