So, how do I tell whether I have an African or Toulouse?

[SkyWarrior]

I picked up a couple of goslings a few weeks ago. They're a hoot and they do really well with my chicks. I've been feeding them grass, clover and dandelion leaves occasionally with some salad greens in addition to their regular food and they love it. But I wonder what kind of geese they are since the display was for "Mixed Geese." I know what hatchery they're from (Dunlap Hatchery) and the two types of gray geese they have are African and Toulouse. To me, they look like pictures of Toulouse, but I have no clue. How would I know the difference?

Here's a really lousy shot of one of the geese from my phone camera when I first got them:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5330695&l=fa7654f577&id=780267844

Thanks in advance!

 

[canada-goose]

Could you post it here? I am strictly forbidden to touch facebook.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Here are a couple of lousy images:

Whatcha think?

 

[canada-goose]

I'm not sure at all but I'm thinking Toulouse.

I'm probably completely wrong. Leghorns lay brown eggs.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Actually I was thinking Toulouse too. At least, I hope for Toulouse. And while you're talkative

could you tell me if I have two geese that were shipped the same time and one is much smaller, do I have a gander and a goose?

And on the leghorns, I'm glad you could set me straight on that

-- I'll tell them you said brown when I get white eggs

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
Actually I was thinking Toulouse too. At least, I hope for Toulouse. And while you're talkative

could you tell me if I have two geese that were shipped the same time and one is much smaller, do I have a gander and a goose?

And on the leghorns, I'm glad you could set me straight on that

-- I'll tell them you said brown when I get white eggs

That was my funniest mistake I ever made.

I'm no expert on geese so I have no idea whether they're boys, girls, or one of each. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along soon.

 

[Friend2Fowl]

What color are the legs and beak of the gosling? If they are africans, they should be black. However, most breeds of goslings have some grey on them as babies, the determination is the amount of grey, and even that is not a definite as to breed.
Are you sure they are the same breed? It could be that you have one of each (toulouse and African) and that's the reason for size difference. Otherwise, if they are the same breed and they are the same age, the larger one could be male, but doesn't neccessarily have to be. Clear as mud, right?

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
Their legs are dark HOWEVER I've seen some lightening with them and some orange appearing around the bigger goose's bill.

These are fun mystery chicks. They sure do love to be silly. I'll try to get more picts today.

 

[Hillsvale]

I just got three african gey.... the beaks are black and sort of bumpy in spots... and their very sweet webbed feet are dark grey. Their fluff s a grey with a slight bit of alost greenish tinge and mustardy coloured belly's and other spots.. did I say cute??

 

[DulcyDoll]

Can you get a better shot of their faces? You can tell by the top of their beak (where it meets their face) If it is more square or u shaped then it is Toulouse, if it is round then it is African.