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Is there any way to identify gosling breeds when they're still babies? Less than 2 weeks-ish?

 

[Anna6]

I've heard of "weeder geese," but am not sure about how effective they are and what they actually eat. I'm thinking of putting some geese (Embden, Toulouse, African, Chinese/Embden, Sebbie/Tufted Roman) into my berry patch. There are apple, plum, cherry trees, which I'm not worried about, but then there's also rhubarb (Which I'll make an effort to fence in if there's any chance of nibbling), strawberries, blueberries and grapes. Will they eat the grass around it and not the berries? Or will they eat the berries, too?

I would think they would love the berries. Not sure if this is a wife's tale but I was told rhubar has toxic leaves.

 

[livininbrazil]

I've heard of "weeder geese," but am not sure about how effective they are and what they actually eat. I'm thinking of putting some geese (Embden, Toulouse, African, Chinese/Embden, Sebbie/Tufted Roman) into my berry patch. There are apple, plum, cherry trees, which I'm not worried about, but then there's also rhubarb (Which I'll make an effort to fence in if there's any chance of nibbling), strawberries, blueberries and grapes. Will they eat the grass around it and not the berries? Or will they eat the berries, too?

Geese are terrors. they´ll eat the grass, and even if they don´t eat a plant, they´ll often strip it. They can be trusted with prickly and woody plants that are hard to destroy!

They try to strip the leaves from our sapling trees, we have to put wiremesh around them. And I do believe rhubarb leaves are poisonous, so be careful. I could be wrong, check it out.

Geese enjoy fruit!

 

[DaisyMeadow]

So what are "weeder geese" supposed to weed? I usually give my ladythumb smartweed to the bunnies, so I don't need them to eat that. And call me crazy, but I prefer to eat my own berries and crops from the garden.

 

[livininbrazil]

So what are "weeder geese" supposed to weed? I usually give my ladythumb smartweed to the bunnies, so I don't need them to eat that. And call me crazy, but I prefer to eat my own berries and crops from the garden.

Well, weeder geese can be any geese that forage well, and they usually like grass best...and some weeds. But to be honest, mine prefer me to pull the weeds to leave the grass clear for them!

 

[DaisyMeadow]

Just got back in from extended morning chores. One of the female muscovy ducks was walking around in the yard with 10 brand new baby ducklings. Apparently she didn't get the message that it's too cold! So the geese (all 16 of them) decided to go over and welcome the babies, by yelling at the mama, scaring her away, and then yelling at the ducklings. I intervened before anything more sinister happened, but seriously, they have acres and acres. Why do they have to harass the babies? They came back and talked to them a little nicer, and nobody seemed like they were going to bite, but the ducks were still a little scared. I guess I'll have to see how it plays out. Maybe the geese were just trying to tell the babies who's the boss of the yard?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just got back in from extended morning chores. One of the female muscovy ducks was walking around in the yard with 10 brand new baby ducklings. Apparently she didn't get the message that it's too cold! So the geese (all 16 of them) decided to go over and welcome the babies, by yelling at the mama, scaring her away, and then yelling at the ducklings. I intervened before anything more sinister happened, but seriously, they have acres and acres. Why do they have to harass the babies? They came back and talked to them a little nicer, and nobody seemed like they were going to bite, but the ducks were still a little scared. I guess I'll have to see how it plays out. Maybe the geese were just trying to tell the babies who's the boss of the yard?

I would keep mama Muscovy and ducklings separate from the geese till they are at least 3 weeks old.

 

[livininbrazil]

Just got back in from extended morning chores. One of the female muscovy ducks was walking around in the yard with 10 brand new baby ducklings. Apparently she didn't get the message that it's too cold! So the geese (all 16 of them) decided to go over and welcome the babies, by yelling at the mama, scaring her away, and then yelling at the ducklings. I intervened before anything more sinister happened, but seriously, they have acres and acres. Why do they have to harass the babies? They came back and talked to them a little nicer, and nobody seemed like they were going to bite, but the ducks were still a little scared. I guess I'll have to see how it plays out. Maybe the geese were just trying to tell the babies who's the boss of the yard?

Geese are nosey interferers. They´re like interfering old aunties when it comes to baby things.
I have one muscovy duck that I let hatch out just 2, and the first day she took them out of the nest, the younger geese were so surprised and intrigued at the same time, they did the same thing as yours...babies went one way, mum went the other...but the geese are generally smitten with babies, and shouldn´t hurt them.
Sometimes they want the mother to go away, as if they were chasing away a danger! But this mum knows geese, so went off, did a big circle, picked up the tiddlers and went on her way. They´re now a week old and the geese pay no attention at all. In fact, the ducklings go scooting through the geese (28) to pick up the small bits of feed without a problem.
I now have a new duck mum hatch out 2 yesterday, so that´ll be a challenge for her as it´s all new, but I´m hoping the geese will be a bit calmer this time round and not frighten the poor new duck-mum. I know the ducklings will be fine.

 

[servpolice]

Is there any way to identify gosling breeds when they're still babies? Less than 2 weeks-ish?

Yes! why do have babies that you have no clue of what they are?! Make a pick of them and we will identify them

 

[ChristineR]

I would think they would love the berries. Not sure if this is a wife's tale but I was told rhubar has toxic leaves.

It's not a wives tale; it's true. They contain oxalic acid. They taste bad and I've never seen any of my animals eat them, but I would watch them, just in case.