Author Topic: Jumped in with geese (Read 7129 times)

Dans · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2016, 02:55:37 pm »

These are the Geese. Would be interested if anyone can tell me what breed they are.

Looking forward to working out if we like goose eggs. If not our #1 helper loves them

Dans

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2016, 12:59:01 am »

They look the part, surprised they were left behind though, but my fawn one looks like them, and I know she isn't a pilgrim, though there may be some in her breeding? Toulouse have the same colouring, so i thought there may be a cross somewhere.

devonlady · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2016, 07:06:17 am »

I think they are Toulouse, Dans.

Dans · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2016, 10:53:09 am »

oooo yes Toulouse makes more sense. Hubby was a bit concerned about how big geese get if these were the smallest ones!

Any ideas on sexing them then? We are getting to the stage where they don't try to bite me for bringing them food or changing water, so I'm not quite ready to get hold of them again and turn them over :-/

Starting to think 'June' (the previous owners kids named them April, May and June when they hatched), might be a John. Always up front, always leading May and April around and always the one that bites and hisses.

Also wondering what exactly we are doing with them now as I think we may have missed the age for having roasted goose $:-\$

Dans

Dans

devonlady · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2016, 06:01:19 pm »

A gander is more upright and "blokish", the geese creep behind like cringing wives. To get the gander (if it is) to respect you grab him gently by the neck, just under his head, give him a very gentle shake and a kiss on his head as he comes out of the house in the morning.

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2016, 02:11:01 pm »

Wait and see who lays eggs, if there isn't a gander a goose will take over as boss

Dans · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2016, 02:48:46 pm »

May be a silly question but how will we know who has laid the eggs?

Either June is head girl or a gander. 'She' is the one on the left in this photo.

If we get to say March and there are no eggs would that indicate all ganders? And if so are they too old to go to the pot?

They seemed a bit happier with me when I changed their water today. Hoping they get used to me and our neighbours!

Dans

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2016, 03:36:44 pm »

It certainly looks to have a different attitude.
Laying depends on breed and where you are, some people get eggs in February, i don't expect anything until March, sometimes a bit earlier.
Mine take ages to lay an egg, they can be 'missing' for 2-3 hours, last year I sprayed their backs with stock marker as I caught one on a nest.
When you see the size of the egg I'm not surprised they need to rest after

Never too old to go in a pot, will just take longer slower cooking, or better still minced

Sounds like you are already sharpening the knife :-).

Dans · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2016, 04:41:55 pm »

Not quite sharpening the knives, just wanting to make sure we know the options.

Ok will give until end of March for the appearance of eggs.

Now just to get a shelter for them and work out feeding. My book should arrive soon though.

Dans

Dans · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2016, 05:50:39 pm »

Just wanted to update to say the goose eggs started coming in early Feb. So far we have tried scrambled egg, omelette and eggy bread (french toast). Omelette and eggy bread win for me, hubby is all for scrambled egg or eggy bread.

Dans

Penninehillbilly · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2016, 07:20:00 pm »

Ooh, never thought of eggs bread.
I have a feeling mine are laying down the field, I'd better have as out round tomorrow.

Dans · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2016, 12:47:30 am »

We just had a big haul of eggs at the weekend as we discovered one was sitting on 5 and the other on 3! We didn't know they hid them so when the nest looked empty we thought they just weren't laying regularly yet. Lesson learnt!

Dans