Questions about sebbies

[Olive Hill]

I second (or is it third or fourth now?) the recommendation to exercise caution with them -- especially ganders -- during breeding season. Even those that have never been aggressive before can decide they need to protect their geese and potential young from you and flip a coin.

And would also just say, the whole "they won't fight if they're raised together" is a myth. With both geese and chickens. Being raised together reduces the likelihood of severe fights arising. Small tiffs are still likely every now and again and even the more knock-down-drag-out type fights are not necessarily completely eliminated by raising them together in and of itself.

 

[Mrs. Turbo]

Quote:
This is all very good advice in my book. My nicest, friendliest and most social ganders can be awful during the breeding season. No polite little nips and "please go away from her nest" but all out attack by something that makes you remember that these things used to be pretty bad ass reptiles. Not meant to discourage anyone but when "the internet says" a lot that isn't true it may cause unrealistic expectations. [email protected] www.sebastopols.freeforums.org

I had a pair of eqyptian geese and they broke out of their pen and killed my best Sebastopol hen 3 years ago......talk about bad a** geese.....after that they tried to break into the call duck pen. They were sold a week later. I have one Sebastopol gander that does not come after the kids, but the others will not stop.

 

[ultasol]

As far as keeping them with chickens, ducks, etc. If you have enough space I have not had problems turning them out with ducks, chickens, etc when they are not breeding. When they are breeding anything that comes near the nest or young could get hurt.

I wouldn't coop them in a small space with ducks or chickens, but I have them running with a few ducks right now. Also make sure there is enough feeder space to share nicely and water aplenty.

 

[daze333]

Thank you for all of your advice! I got two new sebbies today! From BYCer Illia.

Thank you Illia!

 

[TennesseeTruly]

 

[Jenifer Kraus]

He has a very pretty round head and looks like he has some nice size to him. Some of my new ones are not as fully feathered due to weather related. He look really nice.

 

[daze333]

Thank you!

 

[Cottage Rose]

Awww, pretty!

I'm sure you'll love Sebbies!

Most ganders (of any breed) get aggressive to varying degrees during the breeding season
from mock charging and hissing to all out attacks.
It's just natural for them to protect their girls.
With the more aggressive ones you just have to watch your behind for a few months.
Best wishes!

 

[daze333]

Hi again,
I am so loving my sebbies! They have started honking when I come outside now, just like my runner ducks! So there is this loud welcoming song when I come outside! (ducks quacking and geese honking....)

I think I am swinging towards waterfowl as a favorite now.......

Ok, so I took some pics of them. (the last one I posted was used for selling them) We are not positive of the sex. It seems like you guys know what you are doing and I thought I would ask what you thought? I am crossing my fingers for a pair, of course, but will not be devastated if it is not.

I would really just like to know. They are last years babies out of Holderread stock.

To keep the 2 separate when you refer to them, this is bird 1 on the left and bird 2 on the right

Bird 1

Bird 2

Same positions as pic #1

Do you guys know the sexes of my babies?
Thanks!

PS can you say goose red eye? LOL

 

[Olive Hill]

Sebbies can't be sexed by outward physical characteristics and none of your photos show any behavioral traits that would indicate one way or the other.

The only 100% way to sex them -- short of waiting until breeding season to see who is on top or who is laying eggs -- is to vent sex them. Pick the goose up, turn it upside down, position the neck under your arm and sit in a chair with the goose's body resting on your thighs. Separate the down around the vent and then massage the vent down and outward. When you do this properly, the penis will be exposed in males -- a long, curly, white spiny protrusion. If you find no penis you either did it wrong or you have a female.

Behavior can be an indication of sex, but it's not 100% accurate. Ganders tend to carry themselves more upright, are more vocal and curious/friendly, they're more likely to hiss, put themselves between you and their "goose" of choice (though if two ganders pair up one gander will often get between you and the other gander, too), snake their necks, etc.