New owner has some questions

[seminolewind]

Finally got a routine down. The shed is easy to get them in and out with no problem. They eat, drink, and hang out where the chickens usually hang out, but the chickens keep their distance. The chickens like their food as well, LOL.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I let RURU talk about there feathering and such but I just wanted to say I love their colors, they do look like they are relaxed too.

 

[seminolewind]

Thankyou!

 

[RURU]

Your greys are lovely. The feathering does go to the ground on Sebastopol's. As far as angel wing or Twisted Wing Tip it does not hurt the geese. It is just not attractive. Do not worry about it. As far as feathering make sure they get plenty of clean fresh bathing water in their pool. This helps keep the feathering clean and helps make them preen and keep the feathering look great.

Now about the feed I forgot to put I use 50% oats to 50% feed and this I feed throughout the winter months. Oats also helps the feathering get fuller and fluffier on the sebs. The longer and fluffier the better on them.

When you start feeding the oats along with the feed you will notice a change in the feathering it will just bloom next year after molt...
Your goose seems to have nice feathering. The gander has a bit thinner feathering but still looks nice.

Who did you get your two sebs from?

If you have any questions just put them on here and I will get back with you.

 

[seminolewind]

The last picture shows the area where the feathers hang down. Should I just cut them off?
I love them. We just wanted geese. I believe that my gf paid good money for this pair a few years ago, and I think it's important to her to be able to show and breed goslings from a show quality pair. Our intentions are to have beautiful lovable geese in our yard and in our hearts. And it was so nice of her to sell us these because I know she spends hours and hours of time to make any of her poultry people friendly .

I don't think my chickens are actually afraid of them, I think they haven't figured them out yet. Me- I can't wait to learn what their communication means. My hubby is happy , too.

 

[seminolewind]

Your greys are lovely. The feathering does go to the ground on Sebastopol's. As far as angel wing or Twisted Wing Tip it does not hurt the geese. It is just not attractive. Do not worry about it. As far as feathering make sure they get plenty of clean fresh bathing water in their pool. This helps keep the feathering clean and helps make them preen and keep the feathering look great.

Now about the feed I forgot to put I use 50% oats to 50% feed and this I feed throughout the winter months. Oats also helps the feathering get fuller and fluffier on the sebs. The longer and fluffier the better on them.

When you start feeding the oats along with the feed you will notice a change in the feathering it will just bloom next year after molt...
Your goose seems to have nice feathering. The gander has a bit thinner feathering but still looks nice.

Who did you get your two sebs from?

If you have any questions just put them on here and I will get back with you.

Thankyou. I use heavy on oats horse sweet feed as a treat for my chickens. I can get them plain oats.
I got them from Nava.

 

[RURU]

I use whole oats and since I have been mixing it with their feed the feathering came in just beautiful on all the sebs here. You can see the difference from last year!

No do not cut the feathering just leave it be.

They should make lovely goslings together for you and your husband....

Keeping the protein level down for the winter keeps them for getting fat around the breeding organs and helps make them more fertile for Spring. Feeding too much corn is not good for them because it does cause them to get fat around their breeding organs and they become less fertile.

 

[seminolewind]

Thanks, RURU. I have never been a big fan of corn, that's why my chickens get mostly oats horse sweetfeed rather than scratch. I have also on occasion mixed in pearl millet.

 

[RURU]

I also through the winter buy this nut mixture bird feed which I feed at egg laying time to help with the calcium the females use up for egg production. It has shelled sunflower seeds, peanuts, pistachio nut, pumpkin seeds. I just mix some in with the feed each night to help with calcium. I had lost two females after egg laying season and I figured it out it was the loss of calcium during egg laying season. I read up on it and found out that egg laying pulls all the calcium from the bones and this can kill your goose.
So it is good to use a breeder feed during mating and egg laying season. So I also use these nuts. Boy they love it and think they are getting goose candy....

I also give them different treats throughout the year. Apples, tomatoes, red and green grapes, watermelon, peas. There is much more they will eat other can chime in on that. Romaine lettuce, celery.

 

[seminolewind]

Yes, I knew with chickens that the calcium is pulled from the bones. Maybe geese need more, they lay a pretty big egg.