My free goose

[rarely bored]

Quote:
Well, you are a nice person and a nice person would share, right?? lol. Especially if it is chocolate!

So far Gerry has not shown any aggresion at all... to the chickens or the dog or the kids, even when they have deserved it. (for the record, the kids have been great - my older son is learning how to approach Gerry in a manner which will allow him to pet his back. Wonderful learning experience!)

 

[rarely bored]

Quote:
I would love for you to be right!

Based on Gerry's personality I want to think he is a she, however, since, everything I know about geese can be put in a thimble, and if you shake it, you won't hear it rattle, I don't want to assume anything. Maybe all American Buff Geese are sweet.

 

[Rosecomb-Ryan]

http://hillviewexotics.net/images/buffamd.jpg
American Buff
http://www.welphatchery.com/04c-images/GEESE_TOULOUSE.jpg
Hatchery Quality Toulouse...

 

[spiritdance]

Quote:
I would love for you to be right!

Based on Gerry's personality I want to think he is a she, however, since, everything I know about geese can be put in a thimble, and if you shake it, you won't hear it rattle, I don't want to assume anything. Maybe all American Buff Geese are sweet.

Ganders don't get a curly tail feather, which is called a "drake" feather because male ducks get them. With geese, you're pretty much stuck looking at comparative size until they mature (unless of course you have Pilgrims, which are color differentiated). Ganders get noticeably bigger than female geese by the age of 4 months. Our current gander has probably 6 - 8 lbs on his hens right now, and they're only 7 months old. Behavior can be a clue, too, as ganders get protective of their hens even before they mature, but with just one goose, you are probably just going to have to wait on that egg!

 

[OvertheHenHouse]

Quote:
Well, you are a nice person and a nice person would share, right?? lol. Especially if it is chocolate!

So far Gerry has not shown any aggresion at all... to the chickens or the dog or the kids, even when they have deserved it. (for the record, the kids have been great - my older son is learning how to approach Gerry in a manner which will allow him to pet his back. Wonderful learning experience!)

Mmmmm...chocolate...only problem is, it makes my clothes shrink

Super cool that the kids are learning how to be with Gerry - who is really a beautiful and clearly well-behaved goose. Here's hoping he's a she!

 

[crj]

I have an American Buff and yours looks like mine.

 

[Oregon Blues]

I agree. American Buff. Nice score. American Buffs are known for their good temperament.

"tufted" isn't a breed and when breeding tufted geese, some have the tuft and some don't.

Be glad yours doesn't have the tuft. It is caused by a skull defect, and besides that, you wouldn't have the goose if it had arrived at the feed store with the tuft. The person who ordered it would have taken it.

Some advice. Don't hand feed and make it the law that you never walk around the goose. If you are going somewhere and the goose is in the way, the goose moves, you don't deviate from your path. It's all about who is dominant and come spring, you will appreciate it if the goose doesn't think she (or he) is dominant

 

[rarely bored]

Thank you Oregon Blues for the advice! We haven't attempted hand feeding and now, we never will. Seems logical to not teach him that fingers contain food, but I'm sure the goose charm could make us forget. So far Gerrymander moves when we walk towards him. I'm sure as he becomes more comfortable with us, that will change. Hopefully I will remember your words of wisdom and teach the kids likewise. It is best for all involved to have the right level of respect towards each other, so we all live peaceful lives.

thanks!!

so the Tuft is a genetic anomaly? Gotta say, it looks cute, but I'm happy with my goose, would not want him any other way.

Spiritdance - I did take the smallest goose in the hopes he would be a she, hopefully your 'in general' observations holds true in my case. But yes, we will patiently wait for eggs or no eggs.

Overthehenhouse -- if you share your chocolate it doesn't cause your clothes to shrink as much!

The hatchery quality Toulouse do look similiar, yes? My eyes are not trained to the ins and outs of geese yet but when I look at other Toulouse pictures, I see the face is very different, and the bodies look heavier than the American Buff. So much to learn!

thanks all!


edited cuz somehow I hit two keys on the board and it self posted! bizarre!

 

[pete55]

What a lovely bird, you must be over the moon

The bonus being such a nice nature. I have to agree with the previous posts and say American Buff

Pete

 

[kuntrygirl]

Congrats!!! Beautiful!