Spirit - the amazing grey dewlap toulouse gander!

[Marty1876]

Funky has gone to his new home. I am so happy for him!! Didn't think anyone would ever want that boy, but the lady didn't care what he looked like so long as he was mild mannered. That brings my total number of geese to 31, which is still quite a few more than my original target goal when I first rescued the geese.

I wouldn't mind more buffs, but only because I don't know for sure what I have. They are so pretty and unusual.

 

[Iain Utah]

I have figured out genders for all but 2-3 of the dewlaps. Unfortunately, I believe I have 15 girls and 16 boys, which is 1 too many boys still. They are pairing up fast, and I am watching them very carefully to see if I wind up having problems due to extra ganders.

 

[Marty1876]

I hope I'm in line for more buff eggs. I'd really like a nice flock of 6.

Iain, if you have two of your nicest big buffys togather, I'd like to pay you for some pure buff eggs come springtime.

 

[Iain Utah]

If I had buff eggs, you would be first on my list, but I don't think I will have buff on buff breeding pairs this year. I have one yearling pair that i was not planning to gather eggs for hatching. I have a2yo buff gander to 2yo grey goose that will produce buff girls, and am pairing nutmeg, my best buff gander to a 2yo grey goose, but don't know if he can get the job done as a yearling. Remember chicory, the grey split to buff production Toulouse from our hatchalong? He is paired with barley, the chunky buff girl i hatched and raised with him that didn't get a dewlap. They will throw all sorts of color combos, but will be regular toulouse babies. Then I have one mystery buff juvenile that I am 75% sure is an extra gander.

By the way, I got a pm from Jen today, saying one of the white African girls she got from me laid her first egg!

 

[Marty1876]

That's great! I totally expect the Africans here to be the first layers. That gander has mated before I'm sure, he's a very in charge kind of guy, and is seeing to it no goose in his care is infertile.

Today, we hauled them a bunch of straw that was goat bedding. It's been out drying for a week or two in our brisk KS winds, and I think the geese will really appreciate it. Seems like my little goaties don't soil much of it, but they get a new layer from an entire bail in their 12 x 12 stall every week. Lots of nice clean straw going first to the goats, then the geese, and will end up in my garden. Perfect.

 

[Iain Utah]

My Africans are acting like they are going into laying mode. Of course, they may have already even laid an egg or two, but I'd never find them in my horse pasture. They will be moved in the next few days, then I will know for sure. Ember, my sweet girl laid her 5th egg today.

 

[Marty1876]

Do the Africans lay as much as Chinese geese do?

 

[Iain Utah]

Depends on quality. Jen says hers only lay 30 eggs, but hatchery African can lay a lot more.

 

[jerryford]

well we are picking up 6 more geese tomarro 2 more buff dewlap toulouse and 2 pairs of sebbies

 

[Iain Utah]

Jerry!!! I can't remember when you posted on Spirit's thread. Great to see you! And Congrats!!! From where?? Got pics????