Turns out I may have 6 ganders and 1 goose...

[Clodhoppers]

My 7 goslings are now 2 months old.
5 are definitely larger. One of the smaller two goslings has a deep voice and as far as I can tell, she is the only one with a very noticeably deeper voice.

Soooooo - what if I have 5 or 6 ganders and only 1 or 2 females? This was really easy to learn with the chickens, just don't know about the geese. I would appreciate opinions.

The initial plan was to let the flock grow on its own to fit the pasture.

 

[flockman]

Geese are tough. I have a 1 year old buff gander. His mate died so I bought him 2 "female goslings". One of the 2 is smaller and deeper voice. Not worried about her. The other is taller and just bigger. Also has a higher voice. I also have an Embden that I am pretty sure is a male. I have 3 Toulouse that are5 weeks old and already are huge. Pretty sure I have 5 males possibly 6 and only one or maybe 2 geese. I will keep my original gander and the for sure female and the other hopeful female. The others go to the freezer. Too many ganders is like too many roosters.

My buff "girls" are 10 weeks old. Size isn't always the best clue though. The goose that died was a big girl. My gander is about 18 pounds and she wasn't much less. She was a little shorter and built a little different. Sorry I am not much help.

 

[flockman]

You can see what I mean about my goose that is 10 weeks old is standing with 5 week olds and they are close in size. The little goose has the name of Martha. The pc is posted on the American goose thread.

 

[Clodhoppers]

Thanks Flockman,

We may have to do a goose roast as well, if my guess of more males than females holds true. So far, they all get along just fine. Only one hisses at strangers and one definitely will chase the chickens whenever he gets a chance.

I'll keep observing and may build additional shelter much sooner than for the first egg laying season.

Never a boring moment!