New geese under a year old trying to mate

[khloee]

So I bought my two geese (white Chinese) back in March so right now they are about 7 months old. I caught them trying to mate in their pool. I know one of them is definitely a female. I have seen them both mount each other so I’m not sure if one of them is definitely a male or not. I have heard of cases where two female “mate” to assert dominance. Either way what would cause this to happen out of breeding season?I have also heard of cases where geese will lay early in the fall. Is that a normal thing? I just noticed a nest starting to form in their house. Is it reasonable to expect eggs soon? Not sure if you can see in the picture but there is definitely a nest there.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Chinese often breed in the Spring and the Fall. The one on top is definitely a gander. The knob and the color is a dead give away. I can't see the nest, but offer them some hay and she'll incorporate it. Be sure she's getting a laying feed with calcium. My friends African started laying her first fall with no gander. The eggs were soft and she had a lot of trouble. Once her eggs firmed up she went broody and had to be escorted off the nest once or twice a day to eat or drink because she wouldn't go any other way.

 

[Tclloyd0812]

I've heard a lot of people with White Chinese say they mature faster than other breeds and will lay out of season their first year. I could be wrong, I'm only going off what I've heard. I raise Toulouse and they usually mature slower.

 

[khloee]

Chinese often breed in the Spring and the Fall. The one on top is definitely a gander. The knob and the color is a dead give away. I can't see the nest, but offer them some hay and she'll incorporate it. Be sure she's getting a laying feed with calcium. My friends African started laying her first fall with no gander. The eggs were soft and she had a lot of trouble. Once her eggs firmed up she went broody and had to be escorted off the nest once or twice a day to eat or drink because she wouldn't go any other way.

They both actually have knobs. The one on bottom seem to have a larger knob. But the color of the one on top is a much darker orange. I am heading out to our feed store to get hay and I will look for a layer pellet for geese. I’m a total newbie and didn’t know they breed in spring and fall. Thank you for the advice.

 

[khloee]

I've heard a lot of people with White Chinese say they mature faster than other breeds and will lay out of season their first year. I could be wrong, I'm only going off what I've heard. I raise Toulouse and they usually mature slower.

I have heard the same thing.

 

[ColtHandorf]

They both actually have knobs. The one on bottom seem to have a larger knob. But the color of the one on top is a much darker orange. I am heading out to our feed store to get hay and I will look for a layer pellet for geese. I’m a total newbie and didn’t know they breed in spring and fall. Thank you for the advice.

Yes, both sexes have knobs. The ganders will be larger. They are also larger bodied than the goose. In the picture of them in their pool, the bird on top appears to be larger and the head knob appears more prominent. Laying feed for chickens is fine for her. I've never had any luck getting my geese to use calcium supplements.

 

[khloee]

Yes, both sexes have knobs. The ganders will be larger. They are also larger bodied than the goose. In the picture of them in their pool, the bird on top appears to be larger and the head knob appears more prominent. Laying feed for chickens is fine for her. I've never had any luck getting my geese to use calcium supplements.

Yes the one that I thought was a male does have a bigger body. His knob is maybe a little fatter looking. And he seems to be more agressive than the other. Hey either way with two female of male and female I will be happy. Twice the egg or goslings

 

[Boomerwaffen]

Yes, both sexes have knobs. The ganders will be larger. They are also larger bodied than the goose. In the picture of them in their pool, the bird on top appears to be larger and the head knob appears more prominent. Laying feed for chickens is fine for her. I've never had any luck getting my geese to use calcium supplements.

The geese will eat it if their bodies tell them they need it. Otherwise they won’t. Don’t try to force it on them or it can create problems. Also ganders don’t need it. We put it out in a separate dish and our layers go for it as required and our male birds ignore it.