Sebastopol Geese Thread !!!!!!!!!! SHOW YOUR PICS !!!!!!!!!!

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Oh so sorry about your girl!

That is awful.

Congrats on the egg though! I would wait a few days to see if you get more. I got one the day before yesterday and have been stalking the lavs all day waiting to get the next one before it freezes. Maybe there will be 2 days in between....

Thanks -

I have been outside all day, despite my injured leg, we were able to build three very secure goose houses. It was dark by the time I finished outside, so I didn't take any pictures.

We tore apart our old goose houses and rebuilt them stronger and better. Lets see, for two of the smaller houses for my trios we used a 4' x 4' pallet (maybe it was three '??), for the bottom, screwed metal signs to the bottom of the pallet, then securely wired/screwed all the sides together, along with the top. The door is hinged with wire, and then I wire it up securely. Then the 3rd goose house is made out of wooden signs, it's larger than the other two as it has 4 huge American Buffs and my White Tufted Roman goose. It's pretty large.

After I locked everyone up in their night time quarters, I went and pulled and tugged on all the doors/sides to test how stout they were...they didn't budge!

We locked Rusty, our Australian Shepard up in a stock trailer, baited a live animal trap and put it on the outside of my poultry yard. Please Pray that we catch the lil murderer who killed my sweet goose! I want this to end. Nobody gets away with killing momma's feathered babies!

I'm still so put out over the whole thing.

Aspen so sorry about the loss of your girl.

I had two come up missing last year but I believe mine was taken by a human predator. Never ever had a goose disappear and then in one week two female Sebastopols (Lavender & Splash) and the nicest looking ones. Weird thing was they were taken on different days. There were no feathers anywhere and they disappeared during the day.

Thanks honey -

How odd? Did you suspect anyone you knew of taking them? That is awful! I know how you feel....

Aspen, so sorry about the girl going missing.

As Amy said wait it out for a few more eggs, better to set a few than have a solo gosling hatch out.

Thanks Shellie

That sounds like a plan! Another thing I'd like to ask you, Caspian's favorite girl is Ashely (smooth grey), and it seems he could care less about Penny (smooth lilac), and is constantly running her around their fenced in yard. I'm afraid she isn't getting enough to eat or drink. If she gets near Caspian and Ashely, he runs at her, grabs her, and starts biting down on her. This morning he almost got on her back, like he was trying to mount her. I'm unsure if he is just bullying her, or trying to breed her This morning there was a little bit of blood on her bill. At first I just thought they were wanting out of their pen this morning and maybe she banged it on something, but after seeing how Caspian was treating her today, I think he was beating up on her in the cage. Your thoughts?


Y'all are the best ~

~ Aspen

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Can you give them more room? It sounds like he bonded to the grey and not the lilac and is seeing her as a threat, not another mate. How long have them been together now? If not for long, more space and time.

 

[daze333]

Shellie,
Do you take into account which males like which females when you split them up for breeding? I am putting my best quality white male with my with two nice girls. All 3 of them pace the fence, like bumping into it etc and the male trumpets a lot. I cannot tell if he wants another female, or is just upset over not being with everyone. He was the alpha male in the group of 9 and I think he may just be mad to not be boss over everyone. He is breeding the girls he is in with, but seems very agitated. My other groups are much calmer. They have been penned this way for about 10 days.
Thanks for your advice.

PS the coop is about 15x15 ft and the run about 17x18 ft for this trio.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Can you give them more room? It sounds like he bonded to the grey and not the lilac and is seeing her as a threat, not another mate. How long have them been together now? If not for long, more space and time.

Mmm, I might be able to. Their pen is attached to the backyard fence. Three of the sides are the back fence, and then I have a hog panel across the front. If we can repair some of the damaged fence by the goose pen, we might be able to expand it somewhat. I'll have to look tomorrow and see what can be done. I want to say about 2 weeks, more or less.

Shellie,
Do you take into account which males like which females when you split them up for breeding? I am putting my best quality white male with my with two nice girls. All 3 of them pace the fence, like bumping into it etc and the male trumpets a lot. I cannot tell if he wants another female, or is just upset over not being with everyone. He was the alpha male in the group of 9 and I think he may just be mad to not be boss over everyone. He is breeding the girls he is in with, but seems very agitated. My other groups are much calmer. They have been penned this way for about 10 days.
Thanks for your advice.

PS the coop is about 15x15 ft and the run about 17x18 ft for this trio.

I pair everyone who I think will compliment them the most in feathering, size, etc.

Would love to see pictures of your coop and run for your trio, Daze. : )

~ Aspen

 

[Goose and Fig]

I separated the bids I am not hatching from and the birds I am hatching from a while back. Fortunately, the non-breeders are all bonded to each other (pair and trio).This includes the alpha male of the flock, Their season starts sooner, and once the hormones kicked in, he settled down and got over being away from the others.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Shellie,
Do you take into account which males like which females when you split them up for breeding? I am putting my best quality white male with my with two nice girls. All 3 of them pace the fence, like bumping into it etc and the male trumpets a lot. I cannot tell if he wants another female, or is just upset over not being with everyone. He was the alpha male in the group of 9 and I think he may just be mad to not be boss over everyone. He is breeding the girls he is in with, but seems very agitated. My other groups are much calmer. They have been penned this way for about 10 days.
Thanks for your advice.

PS the coop is about 15x15 ft and the run about 17x18 ft for this trio.

As Amy and Aspen both mentioned they will settle in with time. I was told from the beginning it is up to us to select those who compliment each other, and then

their genetics click and give you lovely off spring. If you are concerned they may injure their bills you can hang shade cloth over the fence to soften the fencing and create a visual barrier as well.



Aspen ...... Let me know how it goes, 2 weeks is still early in the I need to bond with you stage. More room will allow her space to move about and him to become use to her. Two feed pans might be in order for awhile so everyone eats peacefully.


Amy...your Lavenders in the snow were so pretty. Hope you have a very successful season this year after all you juggled last year.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I separated the bids I am not hatching from and the birds I am hatching from a while back. Fortunately, the non-breeders are all bonded to each other (pair and trio).This includes the alpha male of the flock, Their season starts sooner, and once the hormones kicked in, he settled down and got over being away from the others.

As Amy and Aspen both mentioned they will settle in with time. I was told from the beginning it is up to us to select those who compliment each other, and then

their genetics click and give you lovely off spring. If you are concerned they may injure their bills you can hang shade cloth over the fence to soften the fencing and create a visual barrier as well.



Aspen ...... Let me know how it goes, 2 weeks is still early in the I need to bond with you stage. More room will allow her space to move about and him to become use to her. Two feed pans might be in order for awhile so everyone eats peacefully.


Amy...your Lavenders in the snow were so pretty. Hope you have a very successful season this year after all you juggled last year.

That sounds like a plan, thanks sugar.

Got up early, and headed outside to check on my babies. We caught something in our live trap....our wild black cat. Do you think a cat could have killed that big 'ole goose?

Everyone was fine this morning, just very ready to be let out. I have a ton of projects I need to work on today. That includes finishing up my goose houses, and perhaps I can grab one of the guys and get them to help build about 6 duck houses...won't they be thrilled! Not. ; )

I bought three miniature green houses that I plan to use for growing fodder. The only problem the only seed I have is BOSS, so I can't use a whole lot of it, but I think I may go ahead and start soaking some. Have y'all tried sprouting/growing fodder using BOSS. Did your birds like it?

I took some pictures this morning, I'll try and get them uploaded....

~ Aspen

 

[Goose and Fig]

Well- I got the second egg from my lav pair- the day I expected it. Went out for salad time yesterday and there was another egg, broken, in the middle of the pen. The yolk was still intact, and it was fertile! Hoping the first two are as well. I also found a mystery egg with a little blood on it, so somebody else has just started as well. Maybe this mild weather will leave me with a nice little batch of eggs

Anybody else starting to get some? Are you worried about having goslings when its still winter?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Congrats Amy!


The whites here started back in November, but we dont have the snow and winter worry. The colors are gearing up or just starting

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Well- I got the second egg from my lav pair- the day I expected it. Went out for salad time yesterday and there was another egg, broken, in the middle of the pen. The yolk was still intact, and it was fertile! Hoping the first two are as well. I also found a mystery egg with a little blood on it, so somebody else has just started as well. Maybe this mild weather will leave me with a nice little batch of eggs

Anybody else starting to get some? Are you worried about having goslings when its still winter?

Congrats on the egg, but that stinks that it was broken. Silly girls!

I got my 2nd egg from one of my smooth Sebbie girls, I think my smooth grey girl is laying them. This egg weighed 144 grams, 12 more grams than her 1st, which was 132 grams! I'll take goslings anytime, rain, snow, or shine!

Congrats Amy!


The whites here started back in November, but we dont have the snow and winter worry. The colors are gearing up or just starting

Lucky!! Oh, just curious Shellie...but how many geese do you have..total? Not trying to be nosy or anything, I was just curious.

I have 17, did have 18 before the goose attack.

~ Aspen