Shetland Geese

[AliciaM]

Im considering getting some shetland geese from Haldereads and was wondering if anyone has gotten any from them? Is there a big difference in the regular quality and there Top show quality gosslings?

Id also like to know your thoughts on shetland geese for a first time goose owner.. I want something reasonably small, friendly and not too common.. Something where theres not going to be tons on the market if I decide to breed and sell at a later date.

 

[Terri O]

Dont know too much about that breed. I have Toulouse and they are easy peasy! Terri O

 

[sumatra]

i have a pair that I bought at the fair in August. they run with my 6 Sebs. They are more alert but much quieter than the sebs. The Sebastopol are always the ones to yell for food or warn about danger or whatever. The Shetland seem to always be aware of what's going on, but don't feel the need to yell about it. None of the geese are really friendly, but I think the Shetlands are a bit wilder. If I get too near, they don't panic, they just move away. They are not aggressive towards the chickens turkeys, ducks, rabbits, other geese, myself or the occasional cat. I am waiting for breeding season to see how things go then. I used to have pilgrims who acted much like these guys until breeding season, when they were a menace to all creatures. They would tackle cars coming up the driveway. Then after nesting, they wouild go back to being semi-tame. So I am guessing my birds will all get like that. Overall, though, I like the Shetlands a lot: they don't hog the swimming pool like the sebby's do, they share food well with smaller birds and they are quiet and pretty.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
I always thought they would make great starter geese, Small but rugged, friendlyness is usually a result of how geese are raised. Not common can be a drawback at times as your customer base has to know that the geese exist and that they are a proper breed and not just runty mixed color geese.

 

[yellowrose]

I aquired a lovely adult pair this summer. I enjoy them very much. The original owner purchased them from Holderreads as goslings 2 yrs ago. This has been my experience so far. They are quiet and calm, more so than the ducks! I like this about them. Friendly, but not cuddly. They will stay close without being skiddish and accept stalks of grass from my hand. They would rather eat greens than grains, at least right now. I am hoping get several fertile eggs next spring.
Aren't their blue eyes, pinkish bills and feet, and grey markings lovely features? They have a private pen at night and days they free range with the other poultry, They share well with the Pekins, but don't care much for the nervous energy of the chickens. For some reason they hiss and flap at the cat but not the dogs!!

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Shetlands should fit your needs/wants well. The biggest problem when selling will be convincing people that they are Shetlands not some cross bred mutts. Save your Holderreeds papers if you get them,

 

[mominoz]

Yeah, I second that. All my ducks and geese that came from Holderreads, I cut the box top with all the shipping info and writing and filed it. BTW If anyone has a female or two,let me know I have a 4-1 ratio , one little girl! be willing to trade or sell some boys....

 

[AliciaM]

Well, I got 2 roman tufted from a feed store and I hatched out 1 pilgrim..I need a female pilgrim...

Im gonna wait and see how these guys work out next year before deciding on another pair of geese....

If I cant find a female pilgrim, what about a female shetland? Since shetlands are auto sexing (thats what I read on haldereads website) and pilgrims are also.. would the offspring be auto sexing??