Kentucky people

[shelleyd2008]

I do have goose eggs, but they are freebies that came with the duck eggs. They are from a white chinese goose and pilgrim gander, but they were free! I can't tell what if anything is going on with these eggs yet. They are only on day 6, so it is a bit early.

I have had no one respond to me about buff goose eggs. I think I will just order some goslings in the spring, whether these eggs hatch or not. I wanted the buffs cause they are supposed to be very gentle. I have had way too many close calls with geese, so I am a bit afraid of them. I think if you mess with them a lot when they are babies that it makes a difference though.

Cindy---where do you get the pairs from? I would much rather pay that much for birds than eggs, at least you know you have birds! Most duck eggs I have seen are about $25 for 6 eggs, and it's a toss up if any hatch.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Ideal has the buffs - Mt Healthy doesn't have any geese at all.
Those were the only two I checked.

I'm SERIOUSLY going to bed now

meri

 

[shelleyd2008]

Yeah, I think McMurray has buffs too, but they are expensive anywhere! You need to let me know when you are gonna get yours so we can go together on an order! I was thinking of putting an order in already, just to make sure I can get them. They are limited at McMurray. Another breed that is supposed to be calm is the pilgrims, but those are even harder to find! You wouldn't think so since they are the only sex-linked goose. I would think everyone would want them! But like the buffs, they aren't as big as some, so maybe that's why. I know I don't want any with the dewlap. I think those are ugly. Cris saw a pic of the tufted romans, and said he wants some 'feather chicken gooses'

I don't know what to do with that boy and his silly birds! Oh, he wants some 'feather chicken ducks' too

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
Seems like Ideal had the pilgrims, too. I'll have to recheck, and yeah, we can go in on an order, cause I don't need a LOT of them, just a few.

Gonna go to Campbellesville today, I guess.

Be back later.
meri

 

[FrChuckW]

Randall Burkey carries assorted Geese including Pilgrims as well as an assortment of ducks. Privett Hatchery has geese but I didn't see Pilgrims listed but they do have ducks as well. I think Pilgrims are a Heritage Breed aren't they?

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

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I PM'd Greyfields, to ask about the geese - he said yes, Pilgrims are heritage and sort of rare, so best not to use those for meat geese.

He said that emdens are good for fattening to eat, and to try Metzer hatchery for water fowl.

I like the look of the buffs, maybe I'll get some buffs with Shelley for just having around, and get some emdens for meat. I'll research a bit more before spring, though.

I hadn't checked Randall Burkey - I have one of their catalogs here, I'll look at that, later.

Greyfields also told me the geese you can buy at the store are butchered after 8-10 weeks, like a cornish cross would be, but traditionally, they were hatched in spring and butchered the week of Thanksgiving.

I think before I commit to buying geese for meat, I'll try one from the grocery store on the family - I know I saw them at Super Wal-mart the other week.

If they like the geese (I know they like turkey) I'll get some geese for meat. Would rather have a fresh goose, though, to get the regular flavor and texture of one done traditionally. But in a pinch, the grocery store will have to do, I guess.

edited because I cain't speell

meri

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I think I was reading where the tufted geese are hard to hatch because the tuft gives them some fatal gene flaw.

Just something to consider if ya want to breed them to sell - might be tough to do.

meri

 

[shelleyd2008]

Well that's neat that greyfields told you to check out metzer. I was checking there myself, since they are the only place I know of that sells them sexed. They have tufted and non-tufted buffs, so I'll probably go with that, if you decide to get some geese and want to go through there. They charge 1.25 to sex them, but I would rather pay a little extra to know I'm not getting all ganders. I saw a guy at the feed store that said he has a bunch of geese and ducks for sale. I can PM you his number if you want. He is one that would go to the sale a lot, and got some pekins I was wanting.
The thing about the crested/tufted waterfowl is that if they get two crested genes it's lethal. Either they won't hatch at all or they die soon after. I think, since metzer has both, I would get one sex tufted and the other not, so there would be no chance of them getting both genes. At least for the first generation. After that there would be, but that wouldn't be my problem.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Hey Cindy!!!! Your babies are hatching!! Gertie was on her usual morning run, so I peeked in on her eggs. She is so silly! One of the bantam eggs had a pip in it! Any idea what they are? They shouldn't be hatching till Thursday!!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

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I was just on the site, yeah they look like a nice place to order from.

Yes, please PM me that number, Oh, and did you ever call your friend May and does she have geese for sale? and what type?

When I take Jon to work I may stop at Walmart to see how much that goose costs (eating, frozen one).

meri