What kind of goose is this?

[JacksonPearce]

A friend and neighbor contacted me recently upset because the flock of white geese that has lived in their neighborhood pond for 10+ years was attacked, and mama goose didn't survive. She had been sitting on eggs, and they wanted to know if the eggs were still viable. I figured there was no chance given how long she'd been off them, but I put them in my incubator and low and behold, three have continued to develop!

Which, of course, means I now potentially have three baby geese on my hands. I assume I can't simply grow these out and return them to their original (wild, if in life rather than breed) flock, but I suspect that I can find homes for them, especially if they're hand-reared and relatively friendly. That said, I've been researching and would like to try raising them as chicken flock guardians, as a number of chicken owner friends can't have (or don't want) roosters, but might like a goose so long as it's not a particularly loud or aggressive breed.

So, all that's to say-- can anyone identify what breed of goose this is, or what type it's likely to be given that the family is essentially a feral flock of white geese? This is a photo of the flock from a few years back.

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

 

[Isaac 0]

Looks like embdens to me.Someone must of dropped them off in the pond.

 

[JacksonPearce]

Looks like embdens to me.Someone must of dropped them off in the pond.

I thought perhaps Greylags? Embdens worry me since they're supposedly both loud AND aggressive! Eeee!

People literally can't even remember a time they weren't in this pond (10 years at LEAST), and the area was far more country a decade ago. They might well have been a farm goose family that got left behind! Who knows.

Thank you!

 

[JacksonPearce]

One other photo:

 

[Isaac 0]

Greylags are brown.Those are embdens.I think @Miss Lydia has an embden.If you raise them from babies they should be nice.Sad that people throw there unwanted animals on a pond. Surprised those geese are still alive.Best of luck hacthing!

 

[JacksonPearce]

Thanks! I know some Greylags are white, but I also zoomed in and see these guys have blue eyes, so I think you're right that they're Embdens! I'll research them a bit more before making the call on what to do if they hatch! Thank you!

(Any additional thoughts still appreciated, btw!)

 

[Miss Lydia]

I do have an Embden gander who will be 12 yrs old next month . I don't think these geese make very good guardians. My Embden and Toulouse are just as scared as the rest of the flock when it comes to a predator or predators. They are mainly bluff. My roosters are much better at sounding the alarm. That said if you raise the goslings and find homes for them maybe all 3 together. That would be a nice small flock for someone and only during breeding season do they get ornery which is pretty typical of all geese not just Embdens. They are fierce protectors of their mates and their off spring. Geese should never be alone they do so much better with their own kind. They pair for life too. I am so sorry about the attack on the geese such a shame people dump their unwanted animals out, not caring if they survive or not.