Here we go again - I'm hatching more goslings!!

[Iain Utah]

I don't get it, Celtic!! I have raised all my birds up the same, but my dewlaps are much bigger babies than my toulouse or africans.

I was asked by a very nice couple who live about a mile down the road if they could have a mate for their goose (?) who lost her mate a while ago and they think she is lonely. I went and met their goose today. She/he is a nice smaller well mannered pure bred african that seems very content living with the chickens in their front yard.

Would this goose want a goose buddy? If so, would my 9 week old african goose be a good match? What would be the best way to introduce them?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Iain, you have raised them all with the same feed, housing ect. However you have had single hatches and do have favorites that you have spoiled more than others. I love all of geese, but still treat them like geese from hatch to adult. I don't sit outside with them even when little. They go in secure pens and spend the day there. I may spend time with each group, but I don't sit with them and then return them inside when I go in. This helps them become independent and I see no stress from them when we walk away. They still run to us gabbing away when we go out to see them, but they are content to graze and snooze in the grass too. I think that's a biggest difference over all. Yours are cuddled pets (which is fine if that's what you want) ours are enjoyed as the livestock they are. It also makes moving large groups easier if they aren't running to us to be picked up. We can herd all 20 of the youngsters from one area to another.

Ok now for the couple wanting a new goose. I would ask how the other was lost first. Find out if it was a predator attack have they fixed the issues allowing the predator attack. After that it's up to their set up on how they introduce the two. Temporary fencing to let the, see each other at first is usually best. After that they should be best buddies.

We turned the African juvenile we kept out with mom and dad recently. After three days or dad grumpiness and setting the rules you can't get them separated.

 

[Iain Utah]

My buff babies are at my local post office. I get to pick them up in a few minutes!!


Thanks for the information, Celtic. The people adopted the lonely goose with some chickens from another person. Goose had already lost its mate before the current owners got it. I will see if we can set up a temp pen to let the other person's goose get used to the juvenile african before turning them out together.

 

[Iain Utah]

They made it!!! They look skinny and scraggly, and they did a decent job beating each other up on the trip. One girl has a swollen cheek and the other girl is missing all the hair on the top of her head. But they are very chatty (they are having a major conversation with my grey dewlaps while I type this post), active, eyes & nares clear and drinking water well. I expect they will devour food too once I offer it to them.

 

[psue]

They made it!!! They look skinny and scraggly, and they did a decent job beating each other up on the trip. One girl has a swollen cheek and the other girl is missing all the hair on the top of her head. But they are very chatty (they are having a major conversation with my grey dewlaps while I type this post), active, eyes & nares clear and drinking water well. I expect they will devour food too once I offer it to them.

 

[Iain Utah]

Here they are. I think they will clean up really nice.

 

[bayyjayy]

How fun! Glad they came safe. Congrats!

 

[Iain Utah]

Well, actually the girl with the swollen cheek has a pretty serious injury sustained in shipping. She is at the vet clinic overnight and needs surgery tomorrow to get her fixed up. But otherwise, she and and the others are healthy and in good flesh. The other two are home and looking cute hanging out with the grey dewlaps. They all have doll personalities. I'm glad they are finally here!

 

[Marty1876]

Iain, so glad your babies are here!

I have a lone sebbie egg that is internally pipped.

I'm setting more Giant Peking duck eggs tomarrrow too. Maybe this will be the last batch, but then again, maybe not.

 

[Iain Utah]

Excellent news on your sebbie egg! Best of luck on your pekin eggs!

I am definitely done with hatching and acquiring babies!