How many ganders to get?

[chickenlady08]

Ok I have 2 Embden geese and I found some American Buff Ganders that are within driving distance to. I am just unsure if I should get 1 or 2 of these boys. I have 2 drakes Mazwell and Martin (Khaki Campbell and Cayuago) now that pal around with Gwendolyn and Delilah so I don't want to rock the boat so to speak since they are buddies. I have noticed that lately that my girls aren't always together like they once were.

What are the opinions here? Should I get 1 gander, 2 or none at all?

Thanks!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Personally I would get 2. Supposedly you can keep 3-5 geese with 1 gander but you run the risk of the gander favoring one goose over the other and only having fertile eggs from the one he likes most. But if you aren't worried about fertile eggs then I would get 1 or none. Too bad you aren't closer...I've got 3 embden ganders and an embden gander-ling that need new homes!

 

[chickenlady08]

Quote:
Oh you tear out my heart!!! I looked for Embdens but noone had any that is why I chose American Buff cause I thought the apricot color with the white would be gorgeous.

So what do you think about my male ducks, do you think they will get into trouble when big boys get into town in their territory?

 

[shelleyd2008]

The ganders will probably beat them up, you need to get them a couple girls while you're at it

As for my ganders, I'm one of those types that thinks all (or at least most) sellers are honest...I'm supposed to have 2 pair and an extra female

I'm keeping all female goslings I hatch from my ONE goose and I've also ordered a few female embden goslings from Ideal, so next year all the boys should be happy

 

[chickenlady08]

Hard to find females for my drakes. I really didn't want to get ducklings but I feel that is probably my only option right now.

Yeah I think I will get 2 ganders so they each have a mate. I just hope they work out well and don't decide to like just one of my girls. that would not be a good thing.

thanks!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Do you have any animal swaps/auctions in your area? It shouldn't be all that hard to find ducks, they are all over in this area. And don't listen to all the people that say you need 3 or more ducks per drake, I have 7 drakes and 9 ducks and they get along fine. Last year I had 9 drakes and 4 ducks and still didn't have a problem

Several of my ducks/drakes 'pair up' so I'd just get 1 girl for each. But if you get ducklings now they should start laying late summer/early fall.

 

[chickenlady08]

We are a very small rural area here. I mean small. We just got our first Walmart last year. (not that means a great deal to me, but goes to show how small) We have a livestock supply store that just did a buy swap sell meet last month and I found some Cayuago and Khaki Campbell but they were also males and then any other ducks they had only sold in pairs so no luck there.

duckling is prob my only way to go here. Pretty sad actually

 

[shelleyd2008]

And you're in VA so it's pretty difficult to get any shipped in either. Have you checked on your state thread? There might be someone in your area that has some ducks.

 

[chickenlady08]

Quote:
Metzers Farms is the only place that sexes goshling/duckiling but they are all the way in CA. I emailed them and they were very helpful. But I just worry that is such a long distance to travel. They say they have good success with distance shipping but I still worry.

I will check out the VA thread! thanks

 

[roboboy]

I would suggest only getting one gander. I actually hate pairs and would always due trios. Just because I've never had a gander who took only one mate, if there was others availabe to him. He may have a favored hen, but that doesn't necessarily mean he is only breeding the one. I often have two ganders for every breed I raise and in which case I prefer keeping them in trios because if kept in pairs one gander usually dominates the other and ends up with both hens anyways.