Pop Open the Champagne

[r4eboxer]

Here's a toast to your new geese! How exciting it must have been to get a meeting with David! I hope to get 4 adult EQ Silver Appleyard Ducks this coming fall. I'm green with envy.

 

[Oregon Blues]

r4eboxer, you will be very happy with the Appleyards that you get. I've got Appleyards form Holderread and they are nice and big and have lovely calm temperaments.

[[[[........So, about the breeding advice he offered and his opinion on the SOP...are you willing to share?......]]]]

As much as I can remember. There he was talking away, bestowing valuable information, and me without a notebook!

As far as Pomeranians go, he said that the saddleback markings will get smaller over generations so if you get an over-marked goose to hang on to her because she will give you well marked goslings and help to maintain your color.

He said that if you breed pink legs to pink legs for too many generations, color starts to fade. He recommended breeding in a bird with orange legs every now and again to strengthen the color. (orange is out of standard)

He also said that Saddleback will appear in almost any breed of goose. Apparently, it is in all their genes. My interpretation of this is to be careful whom you buy from if you want purebreds.

My new gander is 100% imported German lines. Someone went to Germany to their huge show and bought all the top Pomeranians and brought them to America. This is where I wish I had a notebook because I can't remember the man's name. He said that some of the American lines are a re-creation where the color was isolated out, but the geese aren't genuine Pomeranians.

SOP talk was about Appleyards. He didn't think they should have been put into the large group and the standard was changed to a higher weight so that they could be put into the large group. We discussed drakes and fortunately, he seems to agree with my choice of the keepers. Although, since Holderread is cutting back, I've decided to keep all 4 of the drakes just in case I can't replace them in the future. Who knows what breed might go next?

He said he quarantines for 6 months!!!!!! when he brings in any new birds. My new guys won't be in quarantine that long. He also treated my new guys with ivermection before turning them over to me "just in case".

We also talked briefly about breeding Blue Swedish. He recommended the darkest silver drake I could find bred to black ducks to get good blue color. He also said Magpies are also difficult to breed for correct pattern

 

[rainy day ducks]

I got my Appleyards from him as well. I LOVE them. They are calm and friendly. They are my favorite duck. Dutch Hookbills take 2nd. I wish I had the chance to get some Poms but I just need to concentrate on the Americans right now.

I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the farm to pick up materials last March when I was in Corvallis for training for work. I had a wonderful conversation with him about Appleyards and breeding. He is very friendly, incredibly modest man. It was an experience I will never forget. I will not ever forget his advice either. I think there could be a whole thread about that between the many people who have listened to him over the years!

I like you are always worried about what he will downsize next. I really hope it is not the Appleyards, Hookbills, or the lav/blue Americans. I keep drakes/ganders of those breeds just in case!

Congrats on your new additions and a toast to your breeding endeavours!

Quote:

r4eboxer, you will be very happy with the Appleyards that you get. I've got Appleyards form Holderread and they are nice and big and have lovely calm temperaments.

[[[[........So, about the breeding advice he offered and his opinion on the SOP...are you willing to share?......]]]]

As much as I can remember. There he was talking away, bestowing valuable information, and me without a notebook!

As far as Pomeranians go, he said that the saddleback markings will get smaller over generations so if you get an over-marked goose to hang on to her because she will give you well marked goslings and help to maintain your color.

He said that if you breed pink legs to pink legs for too many generations, color starts to fade. He recommended breeding in a bird with orange legs every now and again to strengthen the color. (orange is out of standard)

He also said that Saddleback will appear in almost any breed of goose. Apparently, it is in all their genes. My interpretation of this is to be careful whom you buy from if you want purebreds.

My new gander is 100% imported German lines. Someone went to Germany to their huge show and bought all the top Pomeranians and brought them to America. This is where I wish I had a notebook because I can't remember the man's name. He said that some of the American lines are a re-creation where the color was isolated out, but the geese aren't genuine Pomeranians.

SOP talk was about Appleyards. He didn't think they should have been put into the large group and the standard was changed to a higher weight so that they could be put into the large group. We discussed drakes and fortunately, he seems to agree with my choice of the keepers. Although, since Holderread is cutting back, I've decided to keep all 4 of the drakes just in case I can't replace them in the future. Who knows what breed might go next?

He said he quarantines for 6 months!!!!!! when he brings in any new birds. My new guys won't be in quarantine that long. He also treated my new guys with ivermection before turning them over to me "just in case".

We also talked briefly about breeding Blue Swedish. He recommended the darkest silver drake I could find bred to black ducks to get good blue color. He also said Magpies are also difficult to breed for correct pattern

 

[Cottage Rose]

Congrats!
Always fun getting new geese!

I've talked to Dave a few times on the phone and he's very informative and friendly.
How nice you got to meet him in person.