Goose lovers – please help!!

[CelticOaksFarm]

I use field fencing around the perimeter and where the africans are going to be isolated. Otherwise the gander may climb over the shorter. (he is a stinker though)

NEVER use bricks with waterfowl, too much of a chance for bumble foot.

We have 3 sizes of hard plastic kiddie pools, they all work well, but the adults prefer the larger pools. The Juv Dewlaps will use the medium ones still.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Marty, as far as the Sebbies go, unless you want to keep increasing your pet quality numbers just to look at, I would urge you to wait until you get to experience a full breeding season and the hormones and need for good fences and keeping birds separated. Ganders will be ganders come breeding season and they arent for the faint of heart, and precautions to keep breeds isolated as well as pairs and trios isolated should be made.

 

[Iain Utah]

Paulla/Jerry, congrats on your buff pair settling in so well!! I am very happy they are working out for you!!

Marty, I would like to think you will fall in love and want to keep this trio.

They are nothing like my hatchery browns or my friend's white chinese in terms of noise volume and/or attitude. They are lovely to have around. If I weren't already keeping 6 african juveniles (including 3 whites), I'd keep the adult trio. But, I think I will have my hands full already.

X2 with Celtic regarding fencing. While 3ft works just great for my dewlaps, I use 4ft for my africans.

Celtic, beautiful pictures!!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

thanks Iain, posted here since I told you I would share the Lavender pictures (love their silver coloring)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is 4' high enough for them? Its the shortest I have here for fencing, unless I go buy more.

I thought the little 1' pools might be too small for them. They come in all kinds of heights I know. One of my neighbors has an 18"' hard pool I'd like to have. A little brick ramp inside and out... of course, it would be impossible to just turn over like all my little ones. Glad they'll work.

Celtic, your geese are lovely. I suppose I should lust leave well enough alone, with the 5 sebbies. Thats allready going to be more eggs than I'm going to have a practical use for. DH can only eat so much a day! Pickled goose eggs, anyone?

going to take a BIG jar for them eggs

 

[Marty1876]

We will have no fencing trouble. Like I said, nothing is shorter than 4'. In fact, most of my fencing is 6' cause the neighbor had a naughty dog. (btw, it got shot two months ago when another neighbor caught it eating her rabbits.) I've never used shorter than 4', just for fear a dog or something would get in. My ducks (the khakis esp) need 6' fence, and the ladies get wings trimmed. In fact, we had to trim all the chickens wing (one side only) just cause they were getting into too much mischief free ranging, and had to be pinned. Excellent fliers, those light breeds.

I do NOT plan to breed or hatch any goose eggs next year. From what I've read, youngsters are just not reliable breeders anyway. Nobody will get to keep eggs, or sit nests.

Now then, with the white Africans being adults already, I may let them do their thing. I anticipate keeping sebbies together (stealing eggs as needed) and buffs/gray dewlaps together for same reason. Celtic, are you trying to say I should or should not keep everyone separated into trios and pairs regardless? Also, if I don't use bricks if I get a larger pool, whats best? I've got cement/concrete blocks and boards, but it sounds to me like its better for me to just keep using the 1" x 4" kiddie pools. No need for entrance or exit ramps. I like simple and uncomplicated.

Celtic, I don't need any more geese. I don't need a thousand pet grade birds. Or 20. The 5 sebbies will be more than enough. I had initially planned to just buy 2 colored sebbies, remember? LOL So much for that. `

 

[Marty1876]

going to take a BIG jar for them eggs

Yep. I'll get out those half gallon and gallon jars I guess. Or maybe a crock, eh? I think jalepano goose eggs would be yummy. Habenaro Hot Eggs! Woo Hoo!

Its good to see you too, Miss Lydia. How are you?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Marty I never leave ganders together during breeding season. I dont like their fights (ask Iain she has them already lol), plus I like to control who is with who for improvement on the breeding. (even though sometimes genetics screws up the best plans) We set up line of sight blocks if there are any shared fence lines too, otherwise they WILL attack the fence, possibly injuring bills.

Dewlaps are less likely to have high fertility their first year, but dont confuse them with other breeds, Africans, Chinese, Sebastopols and production Toulouse all are very breedable the first year. (but like dogs, just because they can be bred doesnt mean they should be bred) Just be aware those Sebbie ganders WILL be fertile, and the girls will produce fertile eggs. if you have any production toulouse the same will go for them.

 

[jerryford]

Have to share this the little juvinile buff we got from Iain named

Josephine layed her first egg this evening 158 grams (we are still in shock)​

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I told Janet the other day I am afraid 2013 is going to be screwed up breeding season. May too many reports of breeding, eggs and spikes in hormones already this year. We are getting an egg every other day already from the oldest African goose.


Oh and Marty, sorry missed the brick question. We use multiple of the largest kiddie pools with NO ramps, or other help devices to get in and out. They do just fine. We have 100gal stock tanks and black molded ponds sunk in the ground as well. Everyone gets in and out just fine.