New goose owner, have questions

[Kriskat77]

I’ve always noticed that my ganders seem to lose a strip of their breast feathers down the center at the end of winter, I’ve always wondered if it has something to do with regulating their temperature as it warms up, but the girls never do that so I don’t really know why my boys get that.

@Goosebaby Thanks for answering so quickly! I’m so glad to know that she won’t be naked . I’ll make sure to note it on my calendar so I’ll know when to expect it each year. It’s already reached 95 here. I’ll be curious to see if the temperature is a factor. Thanks again.

 

[Goosebaby]

@Goosebaby Thanks for answering so quickly! I’m so glad to know that she won’t be naked . I’ll make sure to note it on my calendar so I’ll know when to expect it each year. It’s already reached 95 here. I’ll be curious to see if the temperature is a factor. Thanks again.

There is something hilarious about a nude goose

 

[Kriskat77]

@Goosebaby you always give good advice so I’ll just ask u. Can geese eat figs? It’s so hard to find a proper list of foods for them. She loves watermelon but hates cucumbers. I think they kinda taste alike, Wilhelminia disagrees. She also won’t eat raspberries and the verdict is still out on carrots. She loves dandelion leaves but not the flowers. Is she picky? Or is this normal? Any good snack ideas? She won’t eat grapes either but loves wheat grass. Well, I’ll look forward to hearing your advice. Thanks in advance-Kristi oh, are seeds ok? Like a common bird seed mix?

 

[Goosebaby]

@Goosebaby you always give good advice so I’ll just ask u. Can geese eat figs? It’s so hard to find a proper list of foods for them. She loves watermelon but hates cucumbers. I think they kinda taste alike, Wilhelminia disagrees. She also won’t eat raspberries and the verdict is still out on carrots. She loves dandelion leaves but not the flowers. Is she picky? Or is this normal? Any good snack ideas? She won’t eat grapes either but loves wheat grass. Well, I’ll look forward to hearing your advice. Thanks in advance-Kristi oh, are seeds ok? Like a common bird seed mix?

That’s normal, all geese are picky eaters, I could list what each of mine like or dislike but it would be too long. Sigh
Different members of my flock will eat different things, all of them together are corn, squash, melons, peaches, cherries, plums, blackberries, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, kale, romaine, iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, clover, lemon balm, pumpkin leaves, corn leaves, apples, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pears, strawberries, grapes,and tomatoes. One of my geese occasionally nibbles on a little Lavender now and then and another is obsessed with worms. I don’t have a single goose or gander that likes all of that though. They’re all such individuals!

Greens are the number one thing geese eat, grass being what geese mainly survive on. I’ve had a few prefer their treats more than their grass, sometimes if they see you picking grass it can encourage them to try it, also letting grass grow long and adding a handful to their water can encourage them to play with it and get used to eating it. Honestly it can be hard to get a goose to eat something they don’t want to, social eating is usually the best way, they’re more likely to eat something if they think someone else is enjoying it more than they are.

I had a vet tell me common bird seed is fine to feed them, a lot of people give it to their birds, but contaminated seed is a main cause of cancer in birds because of aflatoxins and mycotoxins, pesticides and fungicides are also an issue but it’s nearly impossible to avoid that in any grain for human or animal consumption. I heard that if the bag has powder at the bottom it’s a sign that it’s poor quality and more likely to be contaminated with aflatoxins and mycotoxins. Here’s an article about bird seed farming I found a few months ago https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/...-farming-causing-bird-populations-to-plummet/

I honestly have no idea if figs are safe to eat for waterfowl, I wish I could be of more help.

 

[Kriskat77]

That’s normal, all geese are picky eaters, I could list what each of mine like or dislike but it would be too long. Sigh
Different members of my flock will eat different things, all of them together are corn, squash, melons, peaches, cherries, plums, blackberries, blueberries, carrots, broccoli, kale, romaine, iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, clover, lemon balm, pumpkin leaves, corn leaves, apples, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pears, strawberries, grapes,and tomatoes. One of my geese occasionally nibbles on a little Lavender now and then and another is obsessed with worms. I don’t have a single goose or gander that likes all of that though. They’re all such individuals!

Greens are the number one thing geese eat, grass being what geese mainly survive on. I’ve had a few prefer their treats more than their grass, sometimes if they see you picking grass it can encourage them to try it, also letting grass grow long and adding a handful to their water can encourage them to play with it and get used to eating it. Honestly it can be hard to get a goose to eat something they don’t want to, social eating is usually the best way, they’re more likely to eat something if they think someone else is enjoying it more than they are.

I had a vet tell me common bird seed is fine to feed them, a lot of people give it to their birds, but contaminated seed is a main cause of cancer in birds because of aflatoxins and mycotoxins, pesticides and fungicides are also an issue but it’s nearly impossible to avoid that in any grain for human or animal consumption. I heard that if the bag has powder at the bottom it’s a sign that it’s poor quality and more likely to be contaminated with aflatoxins and mycotoxins. Here’s an article about bird seed farming I found a few months ago https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/...-farming-causing-bird-populations-to-plummet/

I honestly have no idea if figs are safe to eat for waterfowl, I wish I could be of more help.

@Goosebaby Thanks for the wonderful treat ideas. You’re a great help and I appreciate the article you sent too. I think I’ll just stay away from bird seed and add a few sunflower seeds from time to time. I’ll try some of your other suggestions too. I just want her to have a fun and healthy variety. I bought some pears and cantaloupe today. Can you believe that it’s warm enough here in Texas to swim. id really like to take her to a couple of local spots to swim but she’s convinced that my car is the work of the devil, so, our car rides need a bit of work. I think you gave me the advice to say things are “yucky” and shake my head if there’s something she shouldn’t eat. I do that with the pool water and it works! Thanks again for all your help and advice! P.s., I only asked about figs because it seemed like something that might be healthy and different. I personally don’t care for them

 

[Goosebaby]

@Goosebaby Thanks for the wonderful treat ideas. You’re a great help and I appreciate the article you sent too. I think I’ll just stay away from bird seed and add a few sunflower seeds from time to time. I’ll try some of your other suggestions too. I just want her to have a fun and healthy variety. I bought some pears and cantaloupe today. Can you believe that it’s warm enough here in Texas to swim. id really like to take her to a couple of local spots to swim but she’s convinced that my car is the work of the devil, so, our car rides need a bit of work. I think you gave me the advice to say things are “yucky” and shake my head if there’s something she shouldn’t eat. I do that with the pool water and it works! Thanks again for all your help and advice! P.s., I only asked about figs because it seemed like something that might be healthy and different. I personally don’t care for them

Hey I’m glad to be of help! It sounds like you’re an excellent goose mom!

 

[Kriskat77]

Hey I’m glad to be of help! It sounds like you’re an excellent goose mom!

Thanks!

 

[Kriskat77]

@Goosebaby I thought I’d share a picture with you. It turns out my goose is a gander but we still call him Wilhelminia. Maybe this coming spring we’ll get him a lady friend. I’d really like to adopt one that’s been relinquished but it’s hard to find geese in Texas. Hope you like the picture. He’s so handsome but he has gotten a bit aggressive. I’m hoping that will change!

 

[Goosebaby]

@Goosebaby I thought I’d share a picture with you. It turns out my goose is a gander but we still call him Wilhelminia. Maybe this coming spring we’ll get him a lady friend. I’d really like to adopt one that’s been relinquished but it’s hard to find geese in Texas. Hope you like the picture. He’s so handsome but he has gotten a bit aggressive. I’m hoping that will change! View attachment 2156542

He’s beautiful!
When he’s acting naughty tell him “No!” In your most commanding voice, and if it doesn’t work pick him up and carry him to a different spot, he’ll learn not to misbehave.

 

[Kriskat77]

He’s beautiful!
When he’s acting naughty tell him “No!” In your most commanding voice, and if it doesn’t work pick him up and carry him to a different spot, he’ll learn not to misbehave.

Thank you! I’ll try that