The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Gee rules the yard so far, even with the scovy drakes. I have noticed he doesn't not intervene in the 2 boys fights when they break out. He will stop right over if a pekin catches a duck tho, and stop it.
Scovies fight pretty hard. I only have the 2 drakes, and when they do fight, I have to pull them apart to stop it. My lavender is flat huge, and the black always pushes his buttons. I will have to get separate pens soon, don't need the arguments going into winter.

well no more rooster fights..they all are dispatched except the one I wanted to keep. Too many roos' making life miserable for my girls. The other day one of the roos made a noise & one of my older hens just squatted down as if to say...get it over with! When 2 or sometimes 3 roos' try to top one hen...poor gal. I just decided that is that, so my son came over this morning & we made quick work of the extra fellers. Made me a lil sad that no one wanted them as they were beautiful Dominique Roo's...oh well. I suppose my girls will pass of old age. I really do not wanna do that again.

Funny but worrisome ..my lil Indian Runner Drake.....must be about 4 lbs of terror!! Anyhow while my big gander was in the tub having a fun bath...the Indian Runner got hold of the back of the ganders neck & held on like a bull dog! I was spraying them & trying to get them apart. When the Indian guy turned loose of the gander he stood there with his head curled back against his neck for a time..then after several head shakes got back to his normal self. It was scary! I have never had anything like that happen before. If Mr Indian continues on this path he will be riding the sky currents as a ghost duck!!

Much much quieter in the chicken yard with only one roo and this one does not crow as often as the others did. He does however call for the hens when he finds food & goes running for them when he hears a noise that does not sound right. So I am thinking I made a good choice & kept the best provider! He has lovely feathered tail and is somewhat smaller in stature. Perhaps he will blossom now that he is the King of the Coop!

About time to tuck in for the nite....

Some drakes are just a flat out problem. I have a pekin thats going to the freezer this weekend, he will not leave the goose hens alone. They are well past laying this year, and are getting flighty from his advances. The ganders are plucking him bald from attacking him so I have to do something soon.
On your roosters...I pick the roo that feeds his hens, treats them well and doesn't harm them, as well as alerts them for predators. Sounds like you made a good choice! I usually keep a 2nd roo as a backup, and to keep the main guy from challenging people. Its all in what you are comfortable with.
Goodnite!

 

[katie5668]

I figure on getting more chicks and even when you buy sexed you often end up with a roo...so I will keep one when it comes to me. I know it will form its own lil flock . Right now ...Lester is very happy being King of the barnyard. He is a very quiet roo, he clucks and calls the girls, he searches for goodies for them..but where the others would stand & crow, he does not. Too busy being a good provider to bother tooting his horn?? Either way the barnyard is much more placid , even the geese are not as noisy! Peace reigns for the time being!

 

[katie5668]

I have what I have been told are probably Chinese Geese.........


I have had geese before..had some white ones...from Big R..so who knows the breed ,,blue eyes & nice temperament.
Then have had Toulouse when living in Oklahoma..they are indeed quiet geese..this is the one I have now..named Moe...

The Chinese are friendly enough..but Moe will walk with me thru the yard as I do chores & quietly chatter to me while we are walking.
The Chinese female, Hermine, will sometimes join in...but Jack the gander is stand offish & aloof.
The differences in birds, the temperament and personalities are fascinating.
Even when you are the one that raised them...they come up with some surprising attitudes.
Jack likes to go to the fence & pick an argument with my Pomeranian..

Chubacca...
And Chewy is more than glad to bark back..what a fuss they put up..then one or the other will get bored with their concert and leave..silence once again..whew!!
I know this is a game as I have seen Jack go to the fence & honk to get Chewy's attention..then the noise fest begins!

Arent' critters fascinating & amuzing!!!

 

[livininbrazil]

I have what I have been told are probably Chinese Geese.........


I have had geese before..had some white ones...from Big R..so who knows the breed ,,blue eyes & nice temperament.
Then have had Toulouse when living in Oklahoma..they are indeed quiet geese..this is the one I have now..named Moe...

The Chinese are friendly enough..but Moe will walk with me thru the yard as I do chores & quietly chatter to me while we are walking.
The Chinese female, Hermine, will sometimes join in...but Jack the gander is stand offish & aloof.
The differences in birds, the temperament and personalities are fascinating.
Even when you are the one that raised them...they come up with some surprising attitudes.
Jack likes to go to the fence & pick an argument with my Pomeranian..

Chubacca...
And Chewy is more than glad to bark back..what a fuss they put up..then one or the other will get bored with their concert and leave..silence once again..whew!!
I know this is a game as I have seen Jack go to the fence & honk to get Chewy's attention..then the noise fest begins!

Arent' critters fascinating & amuzing!!!

I´m not too good on the chinese-or-African thing, but they are beautiful geese!
They certainly do have different ways with them, don´t they? I have one particular female from last year that just loves to be around me when I´m doing stuff.
Funny about your gander and little dog. Geese are smart, aren´t they?

 

[katie5668]

Thanks..they are a lot of company when working outside. They hung the fenceline as they are sure the only reason I am out there is to pick weeds and grass for them! There is a great deal of cheering and shouting that goes on as they encourage me to do a good job..it does sound like honking..but I know they are cheering me on!!

I seriously need to get 2 female ducks..would like a Runner duck & another Pekin ...my drakes are not happy boys. I see ads for chickens & geese but not so much for ducks.

First time I have been SO VERY wrong when I pick out babies.. I almost always get a pair...but this time...got fooled!!

this was long ago as you can see by the down still on the geese..but the two ducks pretty much look the same now..I need to take more pics!!

Off to dreamland now...have a great day tomorrow!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I have what I have been told are probably Chinese Geese.........


I have had geese before..had some white ones...from Big R..so who knows the breed ,,blue eyes & nice temperament.
Then have had Toulouse when living in Oklahoma..they are indeed quiet geese..this is the one I have now..named Moe...

The Chinese are friendly enough..but Moe will walk with me thru the yard as I do chores & quietly chatter to me while we are walking.
The Chinese female, Hermine, will sometimes join in...but Jack the gander is stand offish & aloof.
The differences in birds, the temperament and personalities are fascinating.
Even when you are the one that raised them...they come up with some surprising attitudes.
Jack likes to go to the fence & pick an argument with my Pomeranian..

Chubacca...
And Chewy is more than glad to bark back..what a fuss they put up..then one or the other will get bored with their concert and leave..silence once again..whew!!
I know this is a game as I have seen Jack go to the fence & honk to get Chewy's attention..then the noise fest begins!

Arent' critters fascinating & amuzing!!!

LOL I just love Chewy! they are lovely goslings. Yes, probably chinese with the yellow feet. I prefer chinese myself but do like africans also, very much! Just very hard to find them where we are! I hope to have toulouse also someday, they are just adorable and sweet.
All my Embden goslings left tonight to their new home.

I am VERY picky where my babies go. I hated it, but this kind gentleman is a vet, and realized how much I care about them. He is new to keeping geese, and was surprised at how they come to calls when I want them in their coop. He has a large number of poultry and ducks, and wanted to add geese as alarms and companions. He invited us to visit this weekend to see their new digs and his coops. He also raises hogs, so I will pick up my piglets for next year! We both wished to have communicated better and just swapped

 

[K Epp]

Angel my goose co brooded 6 duck eggs with my Rouen duck. She has now taken on the role of flock mother to all the ducks 9 total. There was a concert at the park across from my house this weekend. Friday the orchestra was rehearsing. I came out to find Angel leading all nine ducks in choir practice. One duck can be loud, but 9 and a goose was defining. I about had a stroke trying to get them to quieten down. I finally grabbed a bucket of food and lead them to the back to get them to stop. I wish I had thought to video. Funniest thing ever.

 

[katie5668]

I keep a couple of tubs out for fresh water for my fowl flock. I change this several times daily. The geese stand by as I am doing this..the result is.....
Herminie in a tub!

They all take turns..but she will jump in ,,flop down & then wants me to stand there with the hose sprinkling her like an overhead shower!!
They will be sad babies when winter comes & the tubs are replaced with more efficient watering sources!!
She started laying I now have 3 eggs, knowing that geese do not lay that long I am daily searching for them !
So far she has not gotten protective of her nest..but I know that is coming!!
If she hatches babies I will be thrilled..if not..thas ok we will muddle along!
I still need female ducks..might just have to order me some but would really prefer to find them amoung members!
I have a Pekin drake and a Runner duck drake..got them at Big R...did my usual of big duckling..lil duckling..that usually results in a pair..not this time though!!

...this is Duck-Duck..so called as he chats constantly...hmmm can't seem to manage to load a pic of "lil bit" the Runner Duck...
have to do that later..but they are sad batchlors that are seeking a gal in their lives. Anyone in the southern Colorado area got any that need a feller to care for them..also there is a human person that does the Real Work!

Speaking of which..there is a chicken house that needs raked and new bedding put down...ta ya'al!!!

 

[Horsebackrules]

How friendly are Africans? They're so gorgeous but I don't want them if they're flighty. I really just want a great companion.

 

[katie5668]

@Horsebackrules....not sure if your question was directed at me and the pics I posted or just a general out there question. My geese I think are Chinese ,,not Africans. From what I have been told there are not many true Africans around. Whatever...for a friendly companion type goose...I swear by Toulouse. My Toulouse goose, Moe , walks with me everywhere when I am doing chores. She stands by & observes as I do things like Paint..and is even willing to taste test the paint to make sure it is good! She got put in another area for that one!!! not thinking paint is good for geese!!
My point is..I have had several types of geese and always return to the Toulouse as a favorite..gentle, quiet and companionable..just my input!
This is Moe!