Goose lovers – please help!!

[Marty1876]

Marty did you buy more Sebastopols that you didn't know the gender of? You had 2 ganders, 2 geese that you bought from us, plus the one you hatched who was unknown gender.
Would love to see their current pictures again of how they are developing.

I had to sex Samantha. I posted all the numbers for the interest of those not all ready intimately knowledgeable about my geese. I just have the 5 now, your four and the one that I hatched.

 

[Iain Utah]

For those that are adopting/receiving adult dewlaps... I hope the following will give you information on what to expect about their disposition.

They are mellow and do not like to forage hard for food or move with any real momentum. They are quiet for the most part (unlike the africans), but they can talk up a storm if the africans try to start anything at the fence line. They make the cutest high pitched pip sound when they are really happy eating grain/preening in fresh water pool.

They know grain time (2x per day) and come running when they see me with bucket. They receive 2 parts flockraiser, 2 parts whole oats, and 1 part whole kernel corn. They LOVE the corn and they need it still, as they are underweight and going into winter. They swarm around my feet and follow me within inches as I pour out little piles in a row for them. They are not interested in interacting with me, but I have noticed them migrating closer and closer towards me when I sit in their pasture. The bumblefoot pair (who are the only ones I have spent a decent hands-on amount of time with) like to come about 5 ft from me and lay down to nap. I have not offered them watermelon, but I noticed it only took a few days of daily offering to both the juveniles and adults I put on my house property to realize it is a great treat. They cannot resist a fresh water small kiddy pool. I have flooded irrigation canals, a pond, and a mountain spring fed stream all in their pasture, but they want their kiddy pool.

Working with my adult set at the house, the pool has been the best way to get them to come close to me. I will fill it and sit on ground on one side. They slowly will build courage to drink from the other side. My deformed boy will even get into the pool with me. They follow me for the grain, but I have to be at least a few feet away before they will eat. Same with their watermelon. With them, I consider it a victory that my deformed pair are now trusting enough that neither get up from laying in their favorite corner when I enter yard, unless it is to saunter relaxed towards whatever I have just brought them (grain, watermelon or fresh water).

 

[Iain Utah]

UPDATE: the 3 brown african ganders are officially at their new home and 10 dewlaps will be leaving for the airport tomorrow night. I have a feeling it will not be a pleasant day for me tomorrow, having to say goodbye to so many at once, but I know they are going to great homes and I hope to get tons of pictures and updates from everyone!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

UPDATE: the 3 brown african ganders are officially at their new home and 10 dewlaps will be leaving for the airport tomorrow night. I have a feeling it will not be a pleasant day for me tomorrow, having to say goodbye to so many at once, but I know they are going to great homes and I hope to get tons of pictures and updates from everyone!!

That's great news. I know it's going to be a hard time for you, you and your dh ya'll have put your life into all of this but just thinking about all you have accomplished in such a short time is amazing to me. Looking forward to hearing about new homes and pics will be so exciting.

 

[jerryford]

UPDATE: the 3 brown african ganders are officially at their new home and 10 dewlaps will be leaving for the airport tomorrow night. I have a feeling it will not be a pleasant day for me tomorrow, having to say goodbye to so many at once, but I know they are going to great homes and I hope to get tons of pictures and updates from everyone!!

 

[Marty1876]

Good work Iain. Everyone, just think of tomarrow as pip day, and wed. as hatch day, but now we don't need a brooder. Easiest hatch ever, Iain did all the work. Its the "weight-a-long" instead of our usual "hatch-a-long".

 

[LightningTFarm]

Iain - what would you recommend that we as the new owners do when we first get the boxes home? What is the best "welcome home" routine for a great big goose or two that have just been through a long and exhausting trip? I have never received huge geese in the mail, so I want to be sure to give them the best possible welcome to Lightning T Farm!

 

[kraftyladies]

Iain - what would you recommend that we as the new owners do when we first get the boxes home? What is the best "welcome home" routine for a great big goose or two that have just been through a long and exhausting trip? I have never received huge geese in the mail, so I want to be sure to give them the best possible welcome to Lightning T Farm!

x2

 

[Iain Utah]

Thanks, guys! Fingers crossed we get through tomorrow ok.

Marty, LOL!

Lightning, upon arrival, they will really appreciate a fresh water kiddy pool. They will appreciate having fresh grass and the same grain mix (especially the whole kernel corn). After the 1st day of settling in, the best you can do is establish a set routine. I do 3-4 trips to my pens at house.... morning feed, noon-ish hosing down of pen/refill kiddy pool, evening feed and more often than not a 3-4pm-ish watermelon treat. I try not to rush through those chores, often squatting and talking softly to them for quite a while. It will take a few days, but they will quickly recognize you and know the routine and look forward to those times of day. Do not try to catch them unless absolutely necessary. Respect their space and let them gravitate toward you. It may seem like forever for them to gain trust, but they do and it is a rewarding relationship.

 

[Iain Utah]

Lydia, it's hard to believe how far we have come in two months and super happy that we have placed 44 of the 69 birds. We would like to place an additional 10-15 to get our numbers below 30, but I am hopeful that we will be able to place them soon. I too look forward to reports from the new owners!!