New to Geese!

[Lucy Goosey]

Here are closer pics--still pretty bad. I need lessons! So what breed/ sex /age do you think? I was told the white is male and the rest female. Have no idea age. Also, they seem very disinterested in milo, scratch and waterfowl maintenance by Missouri. Any clues on what to feed them?
Thank you!

 

[Gray Farms]

They are crossbreds, and very pretty "love the color of the gray ones". They all look to have a little bit of Sebastopol in them. One has a little crest so it's likely got some Tufted Roman in it. May be Pilgrim crosses...I'm not sure if the auto sexing carries into second generation.

Age is tough to tell with geese. They are obviously not babies of course. They don't look "old" to me, I'd say they are around 1-3 years old.

Sexing mature geese is very easy buy vent sexing them. Hold the goose upside-down in you lap with its tail facing away from you "put the head under you legs to prevent biting your arms". Gently press around the vent with both hands. Fingers on top and thumbs bottom, so that you are pressing all the way around the vent. You may have to manipulate the vent a little as well. If its a male the "reproductive organ" will pop out, looks like a furry corkscrew. If nothing, its a girl.

 

[Lucy Goosey]

They are crossbreds, and very pretty "love the color of the gray ones". They all look to have a little bit of Sebastopol in them. One has a little crest so it's likely got some Tufted Roman in it. May be Pilgrim crosses...I'm not sure if the auto sexing carries into second generation.

Age is tough to tell with geese. They are obviously not babies of course. They don't look "old" to me, I'd say they are around 1-3 years old.

Sexing mature geese is very easy buy vent sexing them. Hold the goose upside-down in you lap with its tail facing away from you "put the head under you legs to prevent biting your arms". Gently press around the vent with both hands. Fingers on top and thumbs bottom, so that you are pressing all the way around the vent. You may have to manipulate the vent a little as well. If its a male the "reproductive organ" will pop out, looks like a furry corkscrew. If nothing, its a girl.

Very helpful information! Not sure how we all will handle that sexing process...may have to wait until I feel extra feisty.
Ideas on feed?

 

[Gray Farms]

I've always fed mine the same as the chickens. Layer crumbles "2/3" mixed with scratch grains "1/3", with a little sunflower seed and calf manna mixed in. Geese like corn so you could mix your waterfowl mant. feed with cracked corn and try that. Your feed is just not what they are used to most likely. So it'll take them a bit to come around. Trust me though, if they get hungry they will eat. Geese can eat a lot if given full feed, so you'll need to ration it or they'll get to fat. About a pound each per day when on pasture seems to work well for me. Greens and any kind of melon are favorite goose treats.

 

[Lucy Goosey]

Thank you!

 

[Gray Farms]

Glad to help. Those are some really nice geese. I just can't get over the pattern on the gray ones. They are so pretty.

 

[Lucy Goosey]

thanks! If they ever reproduce, i'll update!