Goose lovers – please help!!

[Iain Utah]

I appreciate the outpouring of support you all have shown! Thank you!!

Update on the testing situation and getting my npip. My vet requested the state vet to send a formal letter putting in writing the requirements for releasing quarantine and granting npip. State vet is requiring all geese not previously tested to get ms, mg & sp. Those that had received the sp need the mg & sp. If we send to state lab, they will also test for ai at no extra charge.

My vet was available on Wed afternoon, but I am not. So, my vet moved mountains cancelling things to come out Thursday instead because, as the office manager made a point to say, "he likes me". He is charging me a flat hourly rate (no travel time) of $250 per hour (and actual lab fees) and we joked that we would make it a goal to complete blood draw in less than 2 hours, then spend the final hour examining Spirit, my own hatched crippled goose, Gimpy, the grey juvenile who came to me with the fractured leg, Shufflegirl, the extremely pigeon-toed grey and the "yet to be named" grey boy with the severely deformed leg. He is also excited to give me suggestions on the best way to care for the flock to ensure they are returned to full condition.

 

[Iain Utah]

Lightning, 2 boxes please. They are pretty big boys.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Okay, you got it! I am getting really excited, though I know that I may not get them until early October. Living in Texas is wonderful, but not because of cool temperatures!!

How much will the vet testing be costing per bird? I would like to reimburse you for the tests done on my two. I think that is only fair, as the tests will assure me that they have no major problems that I might have trouble spotting as a newbie to geese. I don't even know what all those abbreviations are you used in your post, but I will study up when my Holderread goose book gets here!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Morning all. Sun is almost up enough to do morning turn out. Let's continue to support the efforts and NOT respond to those who chose to try and start fights on here.

Now the question of the morning is:

Do you have now, or have you started building the secure housing (night time) for your geese you are getting?

What pasture set up do you have for them?

Those with winters have you started shopping for hay and pricing feed? These gentle giants will eat a lot during the winter (as if they don't eat a lot all of the time).

We use stalls for many of our geese. They aren't horse stalls though, just 3' high stalls for the geese. Some have their own free standing houses. Bedding them down on pelleted horse stall bedding with large flake pine bedding over it (for the juveniles and adults). It gives the dewlaps extra padding for over night.

When we are hatching the goslings get pellet bedding only. It soaks up water the best of anything. We also don't do any food and water over night for the juveniles and adults. None for the goslings starting at 1 month of age.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

All adoptees need to send money for the testing for the birds you will be getting. It is only fair that each adoptee assumes this cost as Janet and Iain ave done enough, and continue to do for these birds. Covering the testing shouldn't be a deal breaker for anyone since they have to be tested to be shipped.


Here are the tests and their common codes
AI. Avian Influenza
D. Diagnostic Work
MG Mycoplasma gallisepticum
MM Mycoplasma meleagridis
MS. Mycoplasma synoviae
P Pullorum-Typhoid
SALM. Salmonella Monitored
SE. Salmonella enteritidis


Here is the USDA list of approved labs (by state) for testing
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/labs_app.pdf

 

[psue]

all numbers rounded up

300 for Lab
200 fine
500 - 750 for Vet

divided by 45 birds

22.22 - 27.78 per bird for required testing

Did I forget anything?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

All bloodwork (lab) should be planned at 10.50 per bird (updated 10:32am after going over lab fees with Janet)

 

[LightningTFarm]

All bloodwork (lab) should be planned at 10.50 per bird (updated 10:32am after going over lab fees with Janet)

So, what does that make the total cost per bird? I just need to know so I can send it to Janet.

Since you live in a climate similar to mine here in Texas, when do you think she will be able to ship the birds to me? I just need a general idea of how long I have to finish their house (already started), etc. I will be planting rye grass in their pasture, and we already have 100 square bales of hay in the barn. Here's a question: I just got an automatic door for my ducks. What size door do these geese need? I'll have a person-sized door, but is it possible to buy an automatic door big enough for geese? I've never actually seen one of these guys in person (of this large breed), so I"m a little unsure. My goose book isn't here yet to give me these answers. So, sorry to be bugging you, but I want to be sure to do it right. I want these geese to be HAPPY!

 

[psue]

so with the adjust in lab fees ... if it takes 3 hours for the Vet to do all of them it's ruffly 32.00 per bird
plus feed and 25.00 per box
Still a very good deal not counting adorable geese to keep you company for 15 - 20 years!

Iain will get us estimated shipping cost closer to shipping date as they keep gaining weight

 

[Iain Utah]

I am getting a lot of questions about the buffs being cross-bred with african and possibly embden and took a few pics to demonstrate.

Here is a pic of a Ginger, the 3.5 mo old girl I purchased that was shipped with the large abscess on face and required emergency $400 surgery upon arrival. Note the bump on the beak and shape of head compared to the grey purebred in the background.


This is Piper, the 4 month old boy I received with Ginger. Note his wide stance, upright lean posture and pretty blue eyes.



And here is a cross that didn't work out too well for one of the buff girl rescues. She has not been placed with any current buff adopters.