[Richmond]

I am trying to find a way of marking some of my young white geese so I can tell them apart. I have tried using purple iodine spray but it soon fades/washes away. Does anyone know if sheep marker spray is safe to use?

[Anke]

It will last a bit longer, but not that long either. I use it on goat kids, but needs refreshing every couple of weeks at least. Coloured leg rings not an option?

[Richmond]

Leg rings are fine except when I am trying to catch one eg if someone comes to buy then they all bunch up together and the leg rings aren't very visible. I need something I can see from the top when they are milling round me, eg a coloured spot on their backs, so I can tell the older geese apart from the youngsters. Despite the age gap my 10 year olds don't look any different to last year's babies now they are all coming into lay. And I have been fooled this year by some big females that I was convinced were male until very recently - they've had a narrow escape from the oven

[Fleecewife]

Coloured wing tags?

[Womble]

If you use sheep spray, get it in under the feathers - it stays visible that way for longer, or at least if it does fade from the surface, you can look deeper to see it if you need to.

[Richmond]

If you use sheep spray, get it in under the feathers - it stays visible that way for longer, or at least if it does fade from the surface, you can look deeper to see it if you need to.

Do you know if it's safe ie non toxic for preening and bathing geese? I initially used purple iodine spray (for wounds) as it's obviously safe if ingested, but wasn't sure about the sheep stuff.

[Womble]

I've used various brands over the years without giving it a second thought. You'd have to phone the manufacturers to ask them to confirm toxicity though, and I doubt they'll be willing to tell you very much!

[Penninehillbilly]

I've used spray marker on mine, I try and get it down the back of the neck.
Don't use red though, even though it was me who sprayed them, every time I saw them in the field I thought something had attacked them 

[Richmond]

OK thanks all. Will give it some more thought. Will definitely not use red [member=22672]Penninehillbilly[/member] 

[Anke]

I've used spray marker on mine, I try and get it down the back of the neck.
Don't use red though, even though it was me who sprayed them, every time I saw them in the field I thought something had attacked them 

Blue and red last the longest, green is no use. No idea if there is a black one.