How do you identify your goslings?

[NOVAHorses]

I'll openly confess that I'm VERY new to this, but I've been reading everything I can get my hands on - I've found all the dangers of leg bands and iv'e found very little information on wing bands, but I am beyond confused. How can you tell your goslings apart? I have a breeding pair of pilgrims that I am hoping to allow to naturally hatch eggs this year, but I am toying with the idea of trying a couple in the incubator (or under one of my broody hens), but then I realized that I will very quickly end up with an inbred flock so I was considering ordering some pilgrim goslings (also toyed with the idea of ordering pilgrim hatching eggs) and then matching them up to have lots of little pairs that aren't related. Now I'm wondering if I try all of this - How will I be able to tell which gosling is which? I know in theory I could seperate them in different pens, but I would really like them to all grow up together as one big happy family - Any suggestions?

P.S. - My birds have not even started laying, I'm just getting prepared.

 

[vicki2x2]

I started using the plastic rings bands on their legs and haven't had any problems. I think only one has managed to lose his band. I use them to keep my adults I.D. at this point, so I know who is who, so when it comes to breeding season, I know which gander and goose to put together and who not to put together because they are related.

 

[NOVAHorses]

Wow they have plastic bands? Are these actually made for geese or where do you get them? I think I would feel a little better with plastic bands to help me keep everyone straight

if I decide to order any hatching eggs or goslings

 

[vicki2x2]

I got mine from Cutlers, but you can order them from any of the poultry suppliers or ebay. I just waited until I went to a swap where I knew Cutlers would be, so I could actually see them, and see the sizes for myself and pick what I wanted. Yes, they are made for poultry and they come in sizes from the tiniest bantam chicks to the largest geese or turkey adults. I got a large multicolored pack of 25 for like $3. Then I just wrote down who has what color. You can also order them in different sized packs, so if you change them out as they grew. Here you go: http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=6_88