Pomeranian Goose Breed Thread

[1MrsMagoo]

How are everyone's Poms doing?

All set for winter?

Mine are good. Some have already started with the occasional mating. They are being paired off and segregated into separate pens this weekend. I figure I will have to keep them penned up for a few days before they get the idea that 1). That pen is their home, and 2). The bird they are with is their mate.

My only issue is that we have picked up a fox we can't get rid of yet. Yesterday, it killed two of my turkeys that decided to jump over the pasture fence to browse in the woods (the goose/duck pasture fence). I didn't see them go over and they were with the other turkeys only minutes before they were apparently killed. The ducks and geese let me know something was wrong about 40 minutes before dusk so I went outside to see what was up and found two piles of feathers just over the fence.

It had killed the Tom, but apparently it was too much for it to haul off, so went after the hen instead. We did manage to follow its trail into the woods and find it munching on the other bird, which should mean its den is close to that area: I will be checking that spot in a few minutes. Luckily, the Tom only had damage on its neck and was barely alive when I found it, so we were able to salvage the meat: The hen was a total loss. I am buying a hunting rifle and plan on doing a bit of predator hunting before it gets another animal. It was far too close to my geese for comfort yesterday and I don't trust a mere fence to keep it out.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Sorry you have a fox on the hunt. That is too close for comfort, and only time before it tries again. You are right that the fence wont stop it, they go under and right over them. I know it sounds like a broeken record, but a good livestock guard dog keeps most if not all predators off a property they patrol. Ours are about to turn 3 this fall and since they have been old enough to be outside working we have had 0 losses. Even this summer when a Bobcat was stalking the pasture and around the perimeter of the fence. It got some of the ferrel muscovy who come and go, but none of our stock. If you ever look for one, buy from a working farm, preferred one who welps outside of the house, allowing mom to raise them near the livestock so they learn from day 1 about work.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Sorry you have a fox on the hunt. That is too close for comfort, and only time before it tries again. You are right that the fence wont stop it, they go under and right over them. I know it sounds like a broeken record, but a good livestock guard dog keeps most if not all predators off a property they patrol. Ours are about to turn 3 this fall and since they have been old enough to be outside working we have had 0 losses. Even this summer when a Bobcat was stalking the pasture and around the perimeter of the fence. It got some of the ferrel muscovy who come and go, but none of our stock. If you ever look for one, buy from a working farm, preferred one who welps outside of the house, allowing mom to raise them near the livestock so they learn from day 1 about work.

My husband and I have discussed this at length. I found a breeder this spring who is close, raises the pups the way you describe, and whose prices are reasonable, but he will not let me get one. He has a 7 year old pair of golden retrievers and says we do not need another dog on the property: It wouldn't be fair to his dogs. These dogs don't kill stock (anymore), however, they are more interested in getting out of the fence and going on adventures than patrolling the property. On the good side, it shows us weaknesses in the fence that we don't see by merely walking it, which we do pretty much daily. On the bad side, they can't protect anything if they aren't here.

For now, my son has volunteered to help us hunt the thing down. The turkeys are his favorite animals on the property and he was angry beyond all measure that they were killed. He knows we have to kill them to eat, and in all fairness that is all the fox was doing too: They invaded his/her territory. However, we all know if the birds don't go onto its side of the fence, it will come onto theirs any way it can, which cannot be tolerated...so it has to go.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

very very true, sorry hubby said no on the LGD, wont be without one ever again. Here is to finding this predator and removing it as soon as possible

 

[1MrsMagoo]

very very true, sorry hubby said no on the LGD, wont be without one ever again. Here is to finding this predator and removing it as soon as possible

Thanks. I intend on continuing to plead my case about the LGD though....never know, I may catch him at a weak moment....lol.

Just a reminder to all the POM breeders who come and read this. If you have any hatching eggs, goslings, or adult birds for sale....please let us know. We always have folks looking for those!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

well I say keep on him. He surely will see the error of his ways and allow the LDG who would live outside 24/7 anyways. They require lots of patience and time to mature, but well worth the investment. A puppy isnt to be left alone until they reach a minimum of 2 years old. However there is a fantastic rescue who farm tests and places adults and older juveniles who are of age and ready to work. Nice option for someone not wanting to do puppy training. We are training a new pup, so far he is doing pretty good.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Winter. Check. Ready.

The geese are so fat that you could probably enclose them in a block of ice and they are so well insulated that they wouldn't even feel it.

We've already had a week of 20 degrees F at night, and the geese are not impressed. They handle cold extremely well. When I go out in the morning to break ice off of the water, the geese have already taken care of their pond, so I only break ice for the ducks and turkeys.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

well I say keep on him. He surely will see the error of his ways and allow the LDG who would live outside 24/7 anyways. They require lots of patience and time to mature, but well worth the investment. A puppy isnt to be left alone until they reach a minimum of 2 years old. However there is a fantastic rescue who farm tests and places adults and older juveniles who are of age and ready to work. Nice option for someone not wanting to do puppy training. We are training a new pup, so far he is doing pretty good.

Thanks...I will keep that in mind. For now, it will be up to leg traps and a rifle to rid us of this sly little fellow.

Oregon.....Good grief already 20 at night there!!!!!!!!!!

BRRRRRR!!!!!!!! Glad the geese are ready for it though.

Yes, they do really well with cold temperatures. Mine seem to be enjoying the relatively cooler temps here: low 80's during the day and 60's at night (except for a recent cold snap which brought night-time temps of 42).

 

[nonsuch]

Hi Everyone,

Finally, I'm on a regular computer and can post pics. It just doesn't seem to work with my I-Pad. Here is one of my Buff Saddleback Pomeranian Geese - Lorelei. Has anyone every seen a Pomeranian Goose with a "Crest"? When I got her home and took her out of the crate, I first thought that she had a swelling, until I looked again and she was "crested"!

 

[nonsuch]

Here is my other Buff Saddleback Pom "Rufus".