Goose lovers – please help!!

[Iain Utah]

These birds deserve to be in special homes, for example, like yours Sue & Jerry... There are plenty here for hubby and myself with our own set and a half dozen or so more from the rescue group.

 

[Iain Utah]

Thank you for your wonderful response to this thread and our call for help!! So far, I have received $200 in donations, plus the bottle of ivermection, and valuable time from volunteers both on arrival day and worming/tagging juveniles day. Special thanks to Richard at the local avian sanctuary for his extra help on arrival day and money spent out of his rescue's pocket to take the two with bruised spines to his vet for immediate evaluation.

The adoption forms are filling up fast too! As of latest count we have requests for 11 pairs. For juveniles, there are still 2 pairs of buffs, 2 pairs of greys, and a pair of white africans available. Plus, we have extra pairs of grey ganders. For adults, we still have at least 3 grey pairs and a beautiful white african pair/trio. We also have a dozen extra grey ganders.

For those who do not care to breed these geese... or do not understand what is required to breed responsibly, please consider adopting gander pairs! They are NOT like drakes or roosters. They will be best buddies and get along as well as a mated pair. Ganders are also more sociable (as a general rule) with humans than geese. If you do not already have a breeding plan in mind, a pair of grey dewlap ganders would be a wonderful addition to consider for your farm.

As a reminder, the dewlaps are an especially heavy breed and shipping will be expensive. Do not be surprised if it costs upwards of $100-150 per bird!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I would like to add that just because someone fills out the form it doesn't guarantee them a bird or birds. They came from a home where they weren't the top priority, and they will not be placed (to the best ability) into a bad home. I know for fact Iain would rather keep them all there than to ship them to a home without proper housing, protection, grazing space and knowledge of caring for them.

Please also be aware a "pair" can be two ganders, not all adoptions can be male/female and as Iain stated if you are not set up for, knowledgeable on or otherwise prepared for breeding you don't need a male/female pair. Breeding doesnt always mean hatching every egg laid, and not every bird should be used for breeding. You need to know what the breed standard calls for and what should be avoided. Since many are juveniles they are not to a point of being truly accessed for breeding at their current age.

Shipping is NOT cheap, thats all on that subject.

 

[Marty1876]

Ah celtic, I love how direct you are. I love people who can just say what they think, as long as they don't hurt me feelings.

Iain, DH and I have talked about it, and we've decided to just maybe make another donation in a week, but we're gonna stick with our buffs and sebbies this winter. I don't think I want to go build another pen right now. Besides, in the end donating will help you more, and save me money too!

I am getting a bag of mazuri for maintanence to try out with the geese. It'll be here Thursday morning. I'm looking forward to trying it on the geese, and see how their feathers look in a few monthes. I can only get a few bags right now, as the guy who orders for our purina dealor is on vacation, but he'll get me skid prices when he returns. That'll give me a chance to try it out. I've still got 3 junior ducks hanging with the toulouse, but I'm about to move all the spring ducks to a commen area until they start to lay. That way, I can save the more expensive feed just for the two goose flocks. I need to put the month old sebbie in with the others, but I'm a little nervous about putting them togather. Shes been hanging with the buffs since she was a week old.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

LoL, Marty. There is no reason to hide truths when it comes to birds and shipping and needs. We are actually selling a couple of sebbies I was going to keep prior to committing to the buff dewlaps.

I know from past experience that adoptable animals bring out the good and the bad wanting to get ahold of them. Sometimes people mean well, but dont realize what all demands are required.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

By the way, love the avatar picture you have now Marty, and congrats? Saw your NPIP now too (from your ap)

 

[Marty1876]

Yes, in order to show our birds for 4H, we had to be tested. They actually helped with that. I thought it was going to be a little harder or expensive, actually.

I do love the geese, and we'd like to have gray and buff, but really whats the point? For 4H showing, the sebs and buffs are great choices as they are still quite uncommen here. They won't have to be good enough for the real pro shows to be succesfull here. And besides, goose is (probobly) yummy. LOL We do plan to eat those individuals not qualified to be bred for even good production. I've read its better than duck, which I also enjoy.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Yep, they dont call it Christmas goose for nothing. Although I suggest sticking to meat production breeds for eating, or you may end up very disappointed.

I was telling Iain recently each state has different guidelines for NPIP, wish it was more stream lined and the same from state to state. Would get more participation I think.

Oh and will you please post new pictures of your geese?

 

[Marty1876]

BTW, how long does it usually take for the "offical" state thing to arrive? We've got the copy of the testers results (they did a mass testing at a 4H poutlry meeting for those buffs and the gray who didin't allready have it-like your geese do). I didn't test the little sebbie yet, I guess she'll have to wait until I do it next spring, when its supposed to be done.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

This is one of hubby's buffs he is growing nicely so far



This is my pride and joy from this years pairings, she is a sweet heart