Need experienced geese opinions! =)

[Riocotesei]

Hi everyone. I have lately, (with spring comming up) gotten interested in having a pair of geese to raise. So I have some questions to ask.

1. What breed has the characteristics I want most?
I'm interested in Sebastopal, Pilgrim, or Embden
I'm looking for a quieter breed that is friendly and personable and gets along with ducks. I have to admit I like Sebbies more, but I want to give the others a fair chance.

2.When I do choose a breed I want, I dont want junky ones from a large hatchery. Where can I buy good quality goslings? Does anyone on here sell/ship babies?

3.OR should i try hatching some eggs in my incubator? I only have LG's and soon, a Hova with all the bells and whistles.

Thanks for anyones replies.

 

[Wifezilla]

I would pm Cottage Rose. She has Sebastopals.

 

[greyfields]

Pilgrims absolutely for first timers. Fantastic all around geese. I love my Emdens, too, but they are a lot more gregarious (and destructive) which could turn you off.

As far as quality goes, Holderread 1st. Metzer 2nd. 3rd- any dedicated breeder you can find.

The geese are probalby my favorite livestock here on the farm. Love them to bits.

 

[Omniskies]

I absolutely adore my geese. I raise Pilgrims mostly and swear by them for anything that doesn't involve protecting your yard (they're too laid back and sweet to bother defending their property).

Hatching goose eggs can be really challenging. I don't recommend doing it unless you're feeling really confidant or have at least successfully hatched out duck eggs before (goose are a little trickier than duck).

I really, really hate disagreeing with Greyfields, but I'd sort of change the order of quality on his list to: Holderread 1st, any dedicated breeder 2nd, Metzer 3rd.

I ordered some of their Pilgrims last spring and really wasn't impressed with the color as goslings. The males and females were very similar in color, which is becoming more and more of a problem with Pilgrims. The one male I did keep back (who was the lightest of the bunch) I still have, but he has a couple unwanted grey spots on him: one on the top of his head and one on his chest. The females looked fine, but the other males had grey blotches _everywhere_ and had to be culled out as pets. In the end, I paid the $100~ for an order of eight goslings and kept one (moreso because I grew really attached to him). That's a really expensive gosling

From what I know, Holderread is booked up until at least May on his Pilgrims. If you want them you need to put your order in _fast_.

I've never shipped live goslings and don't think I'd feel comfortable doing so until I've at least tried shipping chicks. But if you ever decide to take a day trip to southern Missouri I'll have plenty of goslings ready to sell. Fingers crossed, I'll have them as early as late March. If not I'll definitely have them in April.

I can ship goose eggs. If everyone does what they're supposed to and lays well then I'll be selling them for $6 each, $30 a half dozen and $50 a dozen. If you want to reserve some just send me a PM.

 

[Riocotesei]

Thanks for evyones replies, this helps me alot with my decision.
I really like the selection that the holderridge has for geese and ducks.
So would it be in my best interest to order show quality geese from them?
I want to be able to have good quality if I decide to raise and sell some.
Do you guys have any experience with American Buff geese? I like the way they look but don't know much about their qualities.

Also with their ducklings, does anyone have an opinion on the quality of those?
I have been hunting for Indian Runners that actually look like runners. The two I have look like spotted pekins (lol)

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Wifezilla]

I know what you mean. My runner looks more like a spotted khaki campbell.

 

[greyfields]

Well, male Pilgrims are not supposed to be pure white per the standards... so black spotting isn't a deduction really. Not that I'd ever make decisions on show standards, which are generally daft IMO.

 

[Omniskies]

Pilgrim ganders are supposed to have a grey patch on their back that, if at all possible, is concealed by their wings (at least from what I know).

A lot of the time you'll get stray grey feathers on the tail, back and wings, which I don't think anyone honestly cares about unless they're showing.

When you get a _lot_ of grey, plus grey around the face, breast, etc, then it's frusitrating. I've found that young ganders will have grey in crazy places around their body until their first molt, when you hope that they shed it for white feathers.

Riocotesei, American Buffs were standardized by the same man who standardized Pilgrims. They are very laid back and are beautiful birds. I have a trio currently that I keep wanting to sell but don't have the heart to do. One of these days I'll break down and sell them. I just can't imagine not having fluffy buff birds in the yard

As far as Holderread's birds go, unless you plan on showing them you don't need show quality. If you do want to show then definitely get his show birds. Regardless, his average Pilgrims are going to be fantastic.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Thanks so much for posting this question. I'd really like a pair of geese as well, but am not sure where to start.

I love the Sebbies too, but am afraid their feathers would always be wet and messy with the amount of rain we get. CottageRose does know her Sebbies though, so definitely talk to her.

What are the temperments of the Brown Chinese like? A lady here on the island has a bunch of them and was looking to get rid of a couple.

I don't want real aggressive birds. We have chickens, ducks, dogs and cats and kids and so far everyone gets along great. I'm so afraid that geese would be too pushy or single out a few of the animals to pick on. Don't want that.

 

[greyfields]

Chinese are unrelated to all other geese breeds and their behavior is different. They tend to be very talkative and I've heard of many getting "bossy" or even menacing towards people.... especially if you're getting them as adults.

It's best to get day old goslings your first time, as they'll imprint on you and will make your life easier (and theirs, too).