Sexing Older Geese

[Zeruiah]

I was given 6 geese about 8 months ago. A pair of White Crested and 4 geese that I think are Buffs.
Anyway.... the Whites are setting broody on 12 eggs. I had ALL of the geese together but separated them out yesterday into 3 different pens. The Whites are in their own, and I 'think' that of the 4 remaining Buffs only one was a goose and the rest are ganders. I know for sure which of the 4 is a goose, but how do I tell for sure that the other 3 are of the male persuasion? I could wait for eggs, I know.... but, I need to butcher the ganders that do not have mates. How do I tell for sure? All of these geese are between a year and 3 years old.

Question #2 How on earth do I candle an goose egg effectively without disturbing the setting mommy? I have the feeling that some of the eggs are 'duds' and want to remove them before they get too badly rotten. Or.. should I just 'hope for the best' ???

Thanks all!

Zeruiah

 

[BunkyB]

Unless there are too many eggs in the nest I would leave the remaining eggs in the nest. If you want to and feel there may be duds take each egg and give it a gentle shake listening for a very liquidy sound as if the egg is full of water. Safe to say those watery sounding eggs are duds. Careful not to be too aggressive with the shake..

As for sexing the older geese, vent checking is the method I use. I have been wrong before assuming a male is a female with my chinese. The fun part is getting someone to help you to keep the goose still while vent checking. Naturally a male will have a penis if you do the vent check right and it will be obvious. Do the google thing and see how others do their vent checking and find your method.

Good luck and have some fun..... Steve

 

[Zeruiah]

Thank you Steve!

I now have 2 geese gone broody! I think I will just watch and wait. I separated the 6 geese I have into pairs.... so, whichever don't lay.... well.... get the 'ax'... so to speak.

Zeruiah

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you Steve!

I now have 2 geese gone broody! I think I will just watch and wait. I separated the 6 geese I have into pairs.... so, whichever don't lay.... well.... get the 'ax'... so to speak.

Zeruiah

You'll never get any gosling doing that.