More geese

[chickiebratt71]

I'm thinking about getting some more geese to give the 2 that I already have a little more compay. And to take them off their high horse since they the biggest birds in the pond.
Does anybody have and tips on what kind to get or what their favorite is???

[Vampyra]

Africans and Chinese are the nosiest and most aggressive. Toulouse aren't too bad but Embdens are some of the nicest ones I've had out of these breeds. Do you want them as pets or are you considering butchering ?

Vamp

[chickiebratt71]

just pets. I have 2 american buff now. Possibility of getting more out of this years hatch from the parents of the ones I have now. My breeder has Toulouse and Embdens. Thought about a pair of each of them. Their pretty. Don't want to many. They make good guard birds for the pen but I'm afraid if I get to many they are going to bully the rest of the flock. Until I get more money all my birds, chickens, ducks, geese, guineas alike are all in the same pen. Working slowlly on building another pen and digging my waterfowl pond. Will see how that goes.

[jwm1960]

I have Embdens and Toulouse. The Embdens rule the pond and yard. Ducks, chickens, dogs, etc. better get out of their way. I had 3 Embdens attacking one Toulouse goose on Wednesday because she was laying in one of their nests. They didn't seem to mind that 3 of the Embden girls were laying in the same nest.

My Embden gander is a lot more aggressive than my Toulouse.

[chickiebratt71]

something to think about then. I may get the toulouse then. My buff are aggressive enough don't need anything to mean. Although it would help the rest of the flock protect them from local strays, since I have neighbors that don't want to take responsibility for their animals. I've chased 2 strays off all day out digging in my pond earlier. But everytime the would get to close to the pen the geese would rush the fence and hiss and the dogs would leave the pen alone. So I guess having them in the pen is a good thing. Course it helps when the birds are bigger than the strays. I hope that's intimadating to the dogs.

[dragnlaw]

to answer your top question... my suggestion would be the Toulouse. I'm thinking of getting a pair.
But space and accommodations need to be carefully considered!

I only have 2 American Buff. They are very friendly and not aggressive, oh uh.. oops.. well.... except right now the female is laying and when she is near the gander he is VERY aggressive (I carry a broom). While she is away from him (in the nest) he is his normal self.

I'm surprised that you say yours are both aggressive.

Chickiebratt - not sure how long you've had these geese, but usually the first year they lay - the eggs are not very viable.

[chickiebratt71]

the lady i got these 2 from came out of their parents first hatch. i got these as hatchlings last spring. Still not sure if male or female. I cant tell on these two. Their not aggressive so to speak, They just hiss alot if i get to close to the pond with them in it or if one of the dogs or cats get to close to the fence or one of the kids. Their used to me. Not so sure about anybody else.

[dragnlaw]

Is there any difference what-so-ever in their appearance? Or are they identical. If identical - the are probably the same sex.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but if they are also brother & sister... it is not the ideal hatching parent lineage that you may want.
Last but not least, this year, according to most of my sources, perhaps you should just take any eggs laid and either sell (but not as fertile eggs!), cook, and/or blow for their shells (crafters LOVE goose eggs)

[chickiebratt71]

i havent gotten any egg from them so far. Only difference I can tell is one of them has a black dot on the tip of it's beak and the other one dosent. Other than that they look the same.

[chickiebratt71]

look in my photo albums i think i have pics of them let me know if you can tell the difference i cant

[dragnlaw]

You should be getting eggs soon. If not... well, I rather think you got two ganders.

I'd get in touch with your supplier and see if she'll swap for a guarranteed female!

[dragnlaw]

Oh dear, I just looked at your album. I rather think you have two ganders. I'm certainly not an expert, but ...... look at the thickness of their beaks where they join the head. Your very last picture, must be an early one, shortly after you got them, as that one has a more delicate beak.

That delicate beak is exactly the same as my Amelia. The heavier beaks are like Erhardt.

Chickiebratt... I could well be wrong, but don't think I am. Again... speak with your supplier... I'm sure she will trade.

[chickiebratt71]

i didn't get these from a supplier. I got these from a friend i work with. her and our boss went half's and made an order to mcmurray and split the order. Her 2 wound up being male female and only hatched out 3 first hatch. She kept 1 and gave me these 2. Neither one of us can tell who is who. My breeder lady when I asked her told me she can tell from their belly. The female has a bigger drag on her belly than the gander does. But I still cant tell.

[dragnlaw]

She's right. The female has a definitely narrower body and almost drags. The male has a wider stance. If there is no difference I would say that your geese are the same sex.

[chickiebratt71]

theres a difference in both, one has the belly that drags the other dont, one had a black dot on the end of it's beak the other dont be nice if they could have gander feathers like the drakes do