What gosling is this?

[spiritbrook]

I got her from the feed store. They use Welp hatchery. They called her a saddle-back buff. I assume that meant an American Buff with a saddle pattern, but who knows. They sell Pomeranians (they had those too at the farm store - this one is far from the same) and they sell American Buff as well. This is my very first goose to raise, so I'm used to my ducks. One thing that is curious is that her down is really long compared to a duckling. She has striking pink feet in which the veins are clearly visible and a pink, not yellow/orange, bill. Her eyes are a dark blue, perhaps a bit darker than when I got her two weeks ago. Are geese born with blue eyes that turn brown? Hopefully the photos do her justice. You can clearly see her smudgy color that is more evident on her back. There is some of the same color on her neck and the top of her head. Her underside is a nice creamy color, but not the same yellow as what turns white. She has a small stripe of that color under her neck. I guess she is a mutt American Buff, maybe even albino?

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[calpal212]

Embden gosling

 

[spiritbrook]

I wanted a smaller, female, not white or pied goose and I get a large, male, white goose. I'd complain to the feed store, but how would I prove they had mislabeled the pen? He will be so disappointed when he can no longer be a house-goose because of his size. Then again, nobody is going to step on him if he is 20 lbs. He got stepped on this morning and is now packing a leg.

I have to find another goose name. I've gone through 3 now.

 

[calpal212]

How do you know it is a male? It could still be a female and you won't know unless you vent sex or it lays eggs (or never does)

 

[spiritbrook]

It is an assumption for sure, but what I read said the boys had lighter and less defined gray backs than the girls. I got the lightest one thinking it would be a buff girl. Since then I have learned that in some breeds the girls are darkest, but not all.

Sure is a loving, fun thing. A lot more fun, please don't tell them, then my Khakis. I hatched my last Khakis and they were the sweetest things, especially the crested. Now they won't have anything to do with me and run away. I can't imagine this goose doing anything like that. I think also it is because she is alone and only has humans and dogs to hang out with. Mean Mikey and the hen would pick on her when she is out with the ducks. The rest of them are indifferent. She talks all the time and screams loud if she is away from me. I don't know if that is a goose thing, a breed thing, or just an individual thing.

 

[calpal212]

I would just wait a little longer...

 

[spiritbrook]

She is all grown up now. Most beautiful buff imaginable. Still don't know for sure which gender she is, but when she met my special needs Toulouse gosling, there was none of the posturing and trying to breed the little thing that happens with the duck bunch (anyone want a boy KC - x3?) She just kinda watches her and when one of the ducks was too close she chased them off. She tends to boss them around anyway.

Eyes: It was decided that she might be part Embden because she had blue eyes. Here is a few weeks ago. Now the whole eye is the brown color that is around the iris. It hints of blue, but is not the strong blue of the Embden. (2016-06-16)

Here she is with my special needs Toulouse gosling















"Water off a goose's back" (photo study 2016-06-25)


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[calpal212]

Well she is pretty! I don't think she is part buff though maybe toulouse x ebden

 

[spiritbrook]

Her feathers are tan/buff just as the picture shows, no grey shading or feathers. My special needs goose is from Toulouse show stock, the coloring, feather marking and patterns are no way like this. I keep comparing and marveling at the differences with the feathers. Head shape and feet are way different as well but the head shape could be part of the younger goose's "special needs" (spine deformity/injury and eye problems). The buff goose's feet are HUGE big platters and have been huge since a young age. The younger goose's feet have always been just a bit larger than a duck of similar size. I'm told by its breeder that Toulouse don't have huge feet.

She was sold as a Buff by a large commercial hatchery, she might not be the best quality Buff in the world, but she should be some Buff. Perhaps next year I will buy a pair from Metzers or maybe Holderread's might have some (they are nearly "up the road" from me) and then really be able to compare. I really should weigh her and perhaps get her height. She would be quite the armful to need to carry anywhere, but she sure is wonderful to sit and hug.