Sebastopol breeding

[Cottage Rose]

Quote:
Dave K,
As the author of the above mentioned post I would like to clarify that I take issue with you calling
the information I provided as "hysteria."
Odd as it may seem to you, some people choose to look at all sides to the soy story and
FYI the dangers of soy is backed up with documented research and not just wild theories and speculation.
It is even recommended that humans do not consume soy more than 3 times a week.
People should be allowed to think and decide for themselves without being labeled as hysterical.

As for your comment to Jean, "I know that you are seriously breeding and not just propagating"
Why do you assume to think you know what other breeder's motives are and think you can
determine who is seriously breeding or propagating?
You may be an expert in your mind when it comes to Sebastopol Geese but you're not
an expert when it comes to knowing what the motive's of other peoples hearts are.

 

[banter]

I have never heard the word "propagating" except for plants? I have said it before "The geese do the breeding and I am just a bystander with an interest in their final result"!

Going into my 5th year with Sebs and of all of those 5 years spending observing, feeding, cleaning, playing, nurturing and idolizing them for hundreds, maybe thousands of hours, I am far from being an expert (but I'm getting closer!). My friends in the goosey world have been wonderful (you know who you are!).
My hope is that all who own Sebs raise healthy happy and nice tempered birds and keep the breed from endangerment, and those who want to own some, are able to get
some nice stock! 99% of Seb owners are Not going to show their birds!
As far as the comment on "hysteria" with Soy-the info is all there for the reading. Do your homework.

 

[DaveK]

Chris, I guess I will have to explain the use of the word "propagate" as you are right. It IS usually associated with plant production.

It comes from a long ago conversation involving Gary Overton and a breeder who had A LOT going on. Gary asked, sort of tongue in cheek, if they were breeding or propagating. Meaning did they selectively breed with specific goals in mind or merely allow multiplication (which is actually what plant propagation is) of their birds? In relating said conversation with me said breeder was not offended in the least as she chuckled about it, understood what he had meant and said "Well, I actually do a bit of both". My using the term was to point out what you have mentioned here - that most folks do not breed with an exhibition interest as Jean is doing. There was nothing about the comparison between casual ownership, which may well include propagating, and APA goal oriented breeding that should have had anyone feeling defensive or hostile. Many different reasons for having and enjoying our geese as you have said. And I am thankful for that. I breed with an exhibition mindset but for the other 362 days of the year these guys are friends, pets and weird, very individual personalities and companions. And many of my youngsters leave with folks who want nothing more than that. I do not need them for my own program but they sure do make someone else happy as they are pretty and nice. For most of us that's plenty. [email protected] www.sebastopols.freeforums.org

 

[DaveK]

I have sent quite a number of folks to that posting on the Sebastopol Forums re. soy and feeding, both publicly and privately. I looked it up and yes, Cottage Rose was the original poster in what became, I think, a very good discussion. Lots of different folks sharing views, ideas, experiences and questions. Just what a good discussion ought to be as we did not all agree and there was a lot of information posted from all around the table. My comment about the hysteria stems from the thinking I expressed in some of my posts to that discussion; do your homework as Chris has said, figure out what you think and how you want to proceed and that's it. Not rocket science and nothing that has to have a mountain made of a molehill. Hysteria re anything has nothing to do with any information but rather how that information is presented. It can cover either side of the fence too. Feed soy or not? Outcross or get hysterical about linebreeding. Flock matings or small, carefully selected matings. I suggested to the poster here on BYC that they not get bogged down in emotional presentation but peruse ALL the information that was available in one place.

As for comments about Jean's motives in working with her Sebastopols I don't have to assume anything. She's been at this a little while and has publicly shared through more than one venue some of her ideas, thoughts and goals regarding her birds. She is very much working with an exhibition mindset and it was within that arena of Sebastopl interest that I responded. My response, like anyone else's, is just my own opinion based on the information I have at hand. Again, nothing about that response that I could imagine causing anyone to get their panties in a knot.

[email protected] www.sebastopols.freeforums.org

 

[ChickenHwk]

Thanks for all the information on breeding Sebastopol geese. I am simply a novice on this subject and appriciate the help that everyone has brought to this table. I may not have the best show stock but am very interested in the breeding of this rare and exotic bird. I believe that even if you are just propogating sebastopol geese you are still helping the threatened nature of the bird, yes they may not be perfect but, I believe that all Sebastopol breeders (even the ones that are just "propogating") have that drive to help these beautiful creatures come back from the brink of extinction rather than selling them for their own personal gain.

I may infact one day start breeding for nice quality stock but right now I am just learning the tricks of the trade. The start is only the begining of the journey ahead...

This goes out to all the large breeders:

When you first bought your sebastopols, did you buy the best of the best or were they birds that were decent?

Did you buy them because you wanted to show right off the get go or did you buy them because they were a beautiful bird, and you wanted to help the breed fight extinction?



I believe that everyone is failing to realize why people started raising Sebastopol geese. They started to raise them because the breed almost went extinct, not because they saught to show the birds for the persons own benefit... I would also like for people to realize that, not everyone can afford show quality stock especially when, you are first starting to get into the wonderful world of Sebastopols. I think most people are leery about spending a great amount of money on a bird that he/she hasn't raised before. I know I was when I first bought my trio this spring...

 

[Cottage Rose]

I agree with alot of what you are saying ChickenHwk
although I don't think Sebastopols are on the brink of extinction.
We all start at square one and quite frankly in this
economy who can afford to go out and buy show quality stock?
You just do the best you can with what you have but of course
its not recommended that you breed geese that have any blaring
faults or defects.
Some people have the advantage of purchasing top quality foundation
stock and/or have the ability to keep a lot of goslings
annually and are able to select the best and cull the rest, thus
making improvements much more quickly than most of us can.
Don't let that discourage you.
If you can afford to buy at least one really nice gander you can
upgrade your stock a little bit at a time and if your pairs click
sometimes great improvements can be seen in just one generation.
Because I didn't need another gander I sold my best 2010 gander for $100.
so one can find good stock and not have to pay an arm and a leg.
Hang in there.
It sounds like you're headed in the right direction.

 

[Muscovies]

I am wanting to get some sebs this spring hopefully, but I don't know what size pen for them and the food and other things.

 

[Muscovies]

I am wanting to get some sebs this spring hopefully, but I don't know the size pen for them and the food and other things they need?


Thanks


P.S. sorry for double posting

 

[Cottage Rose]

Quote:
You can treat Sebastopols just like any other breed of geese
and therefore you will find lots of information here on this forum,
or you are welcome to come to Sebastopol Lover's Forum, link below,
where we welcome beginner questions.
I also have a page on my website on raising geese that you might find helpful that covers housing.
Good luck with your Sebbies!

 

[banter]

"When you first bought your sebastopols, did you buy the best of the best or were they birds that were decent?

Did you buy them because you wanted to show right off the get go or did you buy them because they were a beautiful bird, and you wanted to help the breed fight extinction?"
Chickenhwk

I am a hobby breeder with high ideals
I knew in my case the prospects of showing were unrealistic. I showed dogs for a short time and knew the time, travel and money involved was beyond my capabilities at the time. Also, I have no experience showing poultry. I also lived in suburbs for many years and was lucky to be able to own ducks legally! Now I'm finally in the country.
Every time I desired to own a pure bred animal I did a lot of research. While helping a child do a home work assignment on geese, when I was working at the Woburn Public Library in MA., I was introduced to this wonderful breed which was listed as endangered! I was in the process of buying a mini farm at the time and moving to Maine. Well, one thing led to another and I bought eggs online and hatched my beloved Zeena just days before I moved! She of course was lonely, so I bought the best gander I could locate and afford from Holderreads, who I had dealt with for many years and trusted.The rest is history!