Which one would you choose? (Geese!)

[lowcountrypoultry]

I am thinking about ordering some geese from welp hatchery later on this year.. and I was wondering what breed I should get.

I am caught between these breeds. ...

-Toulouse
-African
-White Chinese
-Embden

Which one would you choose?

Also...
How long does it take for a goose to mature?

 

[AilsVonHelson]

I personally loveeeee Toulouse, ubt only when bred with Dewlaps.


But it really depends on what your looking for. I think White Chinese are adorable and make great pets/guard dogs. Africans are good pets too.

toulouse and embden are better weeders.

I'm not sure about geese maturity, maybe google it? :3

 

[MissPrissy]

Giant dewlap toulouse - buff or grey. I

geese.

 

[Omniskies]

What breed you get depends a whole lot on what you're wanting them for and how tolerant you are to noise, bullying, and aggression toward strangers. Some breeds are more docile than others, some seem to be more destructive than others (Embdens. Chew. A lot.).

What sort of maturity are you asking about? Geese are seasonal layers that start laying (poorly) in mid February of their first year, then continue laying until around May. Top fertility is going to be around 3-5 years if age and they can easily lay until they're 12-15+.

They are fully feathered out at around 12-16 weeks of age and usually don't need a brooder after the first few weeks unless it's still early in the year when they hatch out. Goslings never seem to go through an "ugly" stage. One day they're a ball of fuzz, the next day they're covered in feathers.

 

[AilsVonHelson]

I agree totally with what Omni said. xD (Embdens scare the living poop out of me.)

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

I have always heard Pilgrims are best if you want calmer, more docile geese. I like them because they are easy to sex (male is white). I currently have three Africans which are great around my kids and easy to keep. I got rid of my pilgrims because the male got too aggressive and would bite everybody he got the chance (don't bend over around him!).

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
We have Embdens and Toulouse. Geese can be just as friendly or as agressive as you let them be, they are also the smartest birds of any on our farm. If they know they can push you they will, I can walk right up and pick ours up also they will eat out of your hand. They are something to see when they spread the wings all the way out, it's about a 5 wing span.

Steve in NC

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I don't own geese, but I hear WCs are the BEST fowl when kept a dog-watchers.

They make lots of noise when they hear something strange to them.

 

[greathorse]

Quote:
Miss prissy will yo be selling any goslings or hatching eggs? I am seriously considering the Dewlap Toulouse myself. Having a hard time with 50 bucks a bird but maybe that is what it takes.

 

[MissPrissy]

If I get any eggs it will be later in the season as I want to hatch some for myself.

I have a lovely pair of buffs growing out from my Mother's Day hatch.

As hard as it is to hatch goose eggs, as much as I would like to sell you eggs for $15 each (exactly what I paid) - you may save money in the long run buying them as goslings and paying the higher price.