[mentalmilly]

This is probably a silly question but, do both male and female geese honk or just one sex. example ducks quack but the drake doesn`t. Just wondered if the male makes a different noise to the female.  Have only heard one of my geese honking and wondered if anyone knew.

[Womble]

Both sexes honk. Slightly different pitches, so you can tell them apart if next to each other, but unless you're really tuned in it's hard to tell.

How old are yours?  They really only start making proper noise when nearly adult looking.

[mentalmilly]

They are 11weeks old Womble but only one is honking properly.  Don't know if they are girls or boys but not too bothered as they are the nicest creatures so far that we have reared.  I shall have to keep my ears open to listen properly.

[Womble]

they are the nicest creatures so far that we have reared.

Seriously?  Our goslings this year are basically little fluffy bundles of hatred and panic!

One thing we've noticed - once they grow a bit more, try looking at the bulges between their legs as they walk. We've found that a yacht goose with a standard fin-keel is usually a girl.....



..... whilst the boys have 'bilge keels' instead.



I'd be interested to know whether this is just our geese, or if it works for other breeds too?!

[mentalmilly]

Yes seriously they are gorgeous.  Come rushing up to me for a talk and a cuddle, get on very well with the ducks and am seriously thinking of trying to hatch more next year.  Will let you know about the keel theory when they get a bit older and l can tell their sex better.

[devonlady]

I love my geese (just as well, nobody else does ) You can tell the sexes quite easily, the geestapo have an upright stance early on, strutting and posing like most males. The girlgees keep a low stance with their head down ( I want to slap them and tell them"Don't be such a victim!!")
They are excellent at keeping away unwanted visitors and keeping children in check 
To keep the ganders respectful, take each one gently by the neck as they come out in the morning, give it a very tender shake and look sternly at it. They will soon learn to love you!!

[mentalmilly]

Thanks devonlady, l might have one of each then.  They already love me, they think l am their mum. They are excellent for undoing shoe laces.