The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[Stormy Cashmere]

I put my birds up at night and sometimes I'll just peek outside when it's dark to check on them.When I call my gander's name,he sounds like a squeaky windmill. He's never loud at night unless a train passes by,but that's normal. I was wondering why he answers to me,he never calls back in the daytime.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My trio was hatched on June 17th, which is the same day my granddaughter was born this year so really easy to remember... so they are shy of 5months.
It's been in the mid-upper 80's lately. Around 70-75 for the low at night. It's 11:45 and a sticky/humid 78 right now. Can't even open the darn windows. Ugh.
Right not they are almost completely off their feed.

At the peak of their growth I was feeding 6 pans (large stainless steel pan, same size I use to feed my 2 100lb GSDs) a day to them of FF, divided, B/L/D. And they were pretty much pigs just scarfing it all down. They also had constant access to good, fresh, grazing 24/7, even when penned. Suddenly at about 4 months that cut in half, then only 2 pans a day. Now they will hardly clean up one pan. And then ONLY when penned up with it in the evening. I was putting it out early in the day, and they would follow me into the pen, nibble at it, then leave it to go graze and just let it sit there all day.
For a couple of weeks I have been out of the seed mix that I was adding to my feed, so today I added more, and doubled up on it hoping that would encourage them a bit to clean up the feed as they like the BOSS quite a bit. Also, I figure with them maturing the protein can come down some more.

They look great though...
Their feathers have come in nicely and their moult into adult plumage has about stopped.
The geese are getting the lovely split in their breasts. And the gander is being VERY teenager-y. LOL Likes me still... men, not so much!

I walked them out to the back pasture today for the first time. (At sundown I walked them back to the yard and their mobile sleeping pen.)
I'm not really sure they appreciated the change of scenery even though I moved one of their swimming pools back there for them.
The grass back there is taller... they were not impressed, so I think I may have to mow.

Since they have matured... they have taken to digging holes around their water bucket. Yay.

I just fill it back in with the sand, and any manure/grass pluckings around the area... and consider that an "improved" spot in my sandy FL lawn. LOL

Once feathered and they have size, that feed bill just drops to near -0-. I do give them all flock in the winter, but we have some severe temps. My geese prefer pasture and do not hit the feeders once matured. Your gander probably has imprinted and you are his human! My Gee, white chinese gander only accepts me touching his chest or chin rubs, he is very vocal. I miss his lap time but he is too busy with his ladies. Gee is almost 4 now. that digging holes is what they do, lol looking for food. They like the fresh roots.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I put my birds up at night and sometimes I'll just peek outside when it's dark to check on them.When I call my gander's name,he sounds like a squeaky windmill. He's never loud at night unless a train passes by,but that's normal. I was wondering why he answers to me,he never calls back in the daytime.

He is greeting you. I am not one that sleeps well. My guys always talk to me, the ganders especially make a "whaaaat?" sound when they see me at night when I am checking on them. Gee, Jerk and Bigboy all do it.

 

[Goosegrrl]

My husband, thankfully, has learned to bluff him back... and since he has done that a few times my boy is much calmer around him now, and will allow husband to 'shepherd' him into to his pen(but won't follow him like he does me), or just be out and about the back area without much fuss.
However, a friend of my husbands was over the other day and went out back near their pool... Gobo really took the piss at him.
Gaurd Gander indeed!

It gave me a good laugh to see a grown man, and law enforcement officer, get so freaked out by my 'sweet' boy who likes to follow me around chatting.
After I got over my fits of laughing at him, I explained to him how to bluff him back, and sent him back in to have a go at it...
He was nervous, but accomplished the task.
I told him... "Look at you, I have two 100lb dogs, and you are scared of my little ol' goose!"

Since I changed the feed recipe, adding a considerably larger amount of seed blend, they do seem to like it better. They are cleaning up a full single pan a day now instead of leaving a half or so of a pan. Since the change in recipe they are really eating about the same in balanced vitamin/protein ration, just more variety with the seeds added. I also see them going to their pen to have a few bites now and then more often instead of ONLY when shut in with it. I'm happy with that balance I think.


One question. I've never yet bought any grit, since my lawn is made of sand... seriously. Sand, with a little dirt in it. But it really doesn't have many small rocks in it, nor much heavy grit. Should I purchase a bag of grit or course builders sand to put out in one of their favorite hang out areas(near one of the hose bibs in a shady area, it stays moist there and they already love to dig around in that sand), and some small gravel for the same spot?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My husband, thankfully, has learned to bluff him back... and since he has done that a few times my boy is much calmer around him now, and will allow husband to 'shepherd' him into to his pen(but won't follow him like he does me), or just be out and about the back area without much fuss.
However, a friend of my husbands was over the other day and went out back near their pool... Gobo really took the piss at him.
Gaurd Gander indeed!

It gave me a good laugh to see a grown man, and law enforcement officer, get so freaked out by my 'sweet' boy who likes to follow me around chatting.
After I got over my fits of laughing at him, I explained to him how to bluff him back, and sent him back in to have a go at it...
He was nervous, but accomplished the task.
I told him... "Look at you, I have two 100lb dogs, and you are scared of my little ol' goose!"

Since I changed the feed recipe, adding a considerably larger amount of seed blend, they do seem to like it better. They are cleaning up a full single pan a day now instead of leaving a half or so of a pan. Since the change in recipe they are really eating about the same in balanced vitamin/protein ration, just more variety with the seeds added. I also see them going to their pen to have a few bites now and then more often instead of ONLY when shut in with it. I'm happy with that balance I think.


One question. I've never yet bought any grit, since my lawn is made of sand... seriously. Sand, with a little dirt in it. But it really doesn't have many small rocks in it, nor much heavy grit. Should I purchase a bag of grit or course builders sand to put out in one of their favorite hang out areas(near one of the hose bibs in a shady area, it stays moist there and they already love to dig around in that sand), and some small gravel for the same spot?

I read somewhere that builders sand has something added to it that can be harmful. I'd say they really don't need any additional grit if you have a sandy ground they are getting their own.

Isn't it funny how grown adults are so scared of a goose. I'm glad you taught this big human how to handle the situation.

What are the seeds your adding?

 

[Goosegrrl]

Seed mix is... cracked corn, millet, wheat, BOSS, a bit of milo and saff in there.
The seed seems to make them happy in their FF.

I never thought I needed to add grit when they were small because of access to all the natural sand here, but wasn't sure now that they are big. They have never had any issues though, and their lawn fertilizer leavings always look in good shape. No issues there.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Seed mix is... cracked corn, millet, wheat, BOSS, a bit of milo and saff in there.
The seed seems to make them happy in their FF.

I never thought I needed to add grit when they were small because of access to all the natural sand here, but wasn't sure now that they are big. They have never had any issues though, and their lawn fertilizer leavings always look in good shape. No issues there.

I'd say their okay then.
I feed my flock FF too and am always looking for ways to improve it. Right now I use BOSS, split peas, flax seed, spirulina, kelp powder, garlic granules and Brewers yeast.along with their reg feed. It's very hard to find other seed in bulk here. Thanks for listing.I'll have to look harder.

 

[Stormy Cashmere]

Tonight I smelled gas everywhere,it's not real strong,but it really stinks. It's not gasoline,but I don't know if it will harm my birds.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

My husband, thankfully, has learned to bluff him back... and since he has done that a few times my boy is much calmer around him now, and will allow husband to 'shepherd' him into to his pen(but won't follow him like he does me), or just be out and about the back area without much fuss.
However, a friend of my husbands was over the other day and went out back near their pool... Gobo really took the piss at him.
Gaurd Gander indeed!

It gave me a good laugh to see a grown man, and law enforcement officer, get so freaked out by my 'sweet' boy who likes to follow me around chatting.
After I got over my fits of laughing at him, I explained to him how to bluff him back, and sent him back in to have a go at it...
He was nervous, but accomplished the task.
I told him... "Look at you, I have two 100lb dogs, and you are scared of my little ol' goose!"

Since I changed the feed recipe, adding a considerably larger amount of seed blend, they do seem to like it better. They are cleaning up a full single pan a day now instead of leaving a half or so of a pan. Since the change in recipe they are really eating about the same in balanced vitamin/protein ration, just more variety with the seeds added. I also see them going to their pen to have a few bites now and then more often instead of ONLY when shut in with it. I'm happy with that balance I think.


One question. I've never yet bought any grit, since my lawn is made of sand... seriously. Sand, with a little dirt in it. But it really doesn't have many small rocks in it, nor much heavy grit. Should I purchase a bag of grit or course builders sand to put out in one of their favorite hang out areas(near one of the hose bibs in a shady area, it stays moist there and they already love to dig around in that sand), and some small gravel for the same spot?

Where you are, they can get all the grit they need. Granite crushed is ideal but construction sand is pretty safe. "play sand" for children's sand boxes has artificial additives and isn't safe for them.
I LOVE my geese for the exact reason your friend experienced! My geese charge and attack strangers with a vengeance. That's important to me, because anyone that knows me, I expect a call before you visit. Same with my turkey and guinea, strange visitors are not welcome. That's why I live in the country, I don't appreciate the" ask for donation" and "save your soul" visitors here. I attend my church, thank you and donate where I see fit to do so.
My oldest brother hates geese.. he was a property manager and dealt with Canadians nesting at several business sites, now retired. He knows my geese are my babies and I love them, adore them. We have had loud discussions over them. My parents want them here, that's that.. get over it or don't visit, GRRRRR! His son also likes to tease and chase them.. he is 40! Same deal.. They are my babies. You best leave them be if you can't respect them. My parents want them here and I make sure what makes them happy, will happen. My grandparents, great GP and beyond, always kept them so you need to accept they will always live here.

I am amazed how many folks think geese are "mean". They just haven't taken the time to understand the species.. what gentle loving souls they are. I will always keep them and appreciate how fantastic they really are and what they offer to a mixed flock. Geese watch and will attack a hawk, fox but coyotes are a real danger for them.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Tonight I smelled gas everywhere,it's not real strong,but it really stinks. It's not gasoline,but I don't know if it will harm my birds.

Call your gas company immediately thats a bad sign!!!!!
I hope you called 911 and praying you are ok!