Just ordered goslings! Update: THEY'RE HERE!

[Windchyme]

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I did collars on mine. It isn't as cute as you think as they just sink into the fluff as soon as the birds feather out and can;t really be seen, and their colors wash out in the sun. Also they start fussing with them and try to chew them at first and get their lower bill stuck under the collars. The first day I must have run out and gotten their lower bill unstuck at least a dozen times before they learned to leave the collars alone (they were adult geese).

Better is colored leg bands. You can get them from a lady on ebay, just do a search for legbands or leg bands. They come in spirals, spirals with numbers (my dewlap toulouse pulled those off), and even metal which has stood up to my naughty dewlap toulouses like a champ. She'll sell you just what you want to have without having to buy a million. I used size 10 on newborns, then 12 after two weeks, then 14 or 16 at about a month. At a month they can take an adult sized band (I make sure that it has some growing room and not snug). I used size 16 on all my geese, the sebastopols (medium sized geese) and my dewlap toulouse (the largest geese), and my hatchery toulouse and african. The smaller then the dewlap toulouse are supposed to take 14's but I didn't like how snug they were on the leg so I opted for the 16 which was a bit looser without being TOO loose.

Heres a picture of a goose with a collar (and they take ferret collars, cat collars are too big)

 

[Windchyme]

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You know what is cute? If you wanted to walk your geese the dog harnesses that are the H type (not the figure 8 or other types) with the connector on the top and underneath between the front loop and the back loop, they fit birds. You put them on the bird as if the wings are the front legs on a dog...simple. I am betting that geese that are imprinted and follow you anyway could be trained to walk on a leash. You'd have to start when they are babies. I used one on my african at an event to keep her from wandering off and she didn't like being restrained that way one bit. Luckily she didn't throw herself around (some would and could hurt themselves) she just leaned into the harness and tried to keep going pulling herself in circles while honking in upset. If a baby grew up not knowing any different I am sure it would be fine. I have occasion to want to have my birds with me but a need to restrain them so they can't wander or take off on me...this works great. I would not leave the harnesses on them however when they are home and free ranging, they could get caught on stuff and a bird could get hurt.

The harnesses work on any bird and come in sizes to fit most birds.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

Hmm.. Maybe I'll try harnesses. I just don't like legbands for some reason. My cat actually used to get her mouth stuck in her collar, which is why she doesn't wear a collar anymore..

I was thinking of having them loose and near the bottom of their necks, as opposed to having them actually stay on their necks. I figured that if they grew up with them, they'd get used to it. But I really have no idea. I suppose when they get here next week, I can try the old collar I found and see how they react to it.. I need to be able to take them places, so them being used to a harness/collar would be great. They'll be going to my mom's store for visit days, and our local farmer's market. They're basically going to be the most famous geese in our area.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Awesome!

 

[Windchyme]

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I would really advise against collars that loose for several reasons. When they bend their heads down the collars will fall off over their heads- tried that, have to have them tight enough not to pass over the head which is how tight mine were, no tighter. Also that loose you really risk them getting caught on something and the geese snapping their necks fighting to get away- you would be amazed at how easy a bird's neck can snap- they can do it by flying up and hitting their heads on something. The harness works well for taking them places though and since you are in attendance to watch for problems and it is around their more sturdy body it is safer.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

I think we're going to go with harnesses, then.. And maybe paint their toes to tell them apart. My mom's off to get kiddie pools for them. We're gonna raise them in them (we need two so I can bring them to work with me!), and then use them for ponds when they're older. I'm so excited!!

 

[Windchyme]

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That's an AWESOME idea, the pools for raising them and then using them later. I am gonna stick that little idea in my box of ideas, it's pure genius.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

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That's an AWESOME idea, the pools for raising them and then using them later. I am gonna stick that little idea in my box of ideas, it's pure genius.

Thanks! I feel a tad bit more qualified to raise geese now.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

They're coming tomorrow! Today we bought waterfowl starter. It was exhilarating..

We were trying to kick the chicks out of the house today, so the geese had the brooder room to themselves, but we didn't end up putting up their pen.. So the goslings will have to deal with some OBNOXIOUS chicks tomorrow.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

I got them at 8 this morning from the post office! Opened 'em up right there.. Three little fuzzy heads popped out and peeped at me! I think I'm in love..

Initial reaction: They're much friendlier than chickens. I've had chickens for at least 8 years, and.. They're just different! Whenever I get my chicks, they're uninterested in me.. Not these little ones. After only a couple hours, they come up when I make noises at them and they act like they actually like me!

Oh, and..