I have 5 african geese, 6 months old; 4 are the same size and the 5th one is larger and aggressive. Is it safe to assume that I have 4 geese and 1 gander? If I keep 2 of the geese will the gander mate with both or will the 3rd one end up lonely? Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

-- L E Kahl (kahlklan@usa.net), November 21, 2000

Answers

Well, you've probably got one male, of the other 4, there might still be another male or two. Some are slower growing, and probably a little browbeaten by the big one.

I've raised geese for years, and the only thing I know for sure is that they will select their own mates. They'll mate in pairs, they'll mate in trios of 2 females/1 male, they'll mate in trios of 2 males/1 female, and sometimes they'll set up housekeeping in groups as large as half a dozen.

It is possible that the second goose would be left out during the mating season, but they'll work it out. Eventually the offspring will reach breeding age, and the odd goose will most likely find a mate. Gerbil (new address)

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@shymail.com), November 21, 2000.

I am not sure about African geese but I had nine,white China geese and only one gander-he "mated" with all nine! He was the barn yard boss! No out casts! It might be different with only three geese. Most ganders have much larger dewlaps(skin hanging under the chin) and larger knobs ("top notches").

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 21, 2000.

I think the smaller breeds are more likely to accept *harems* than the big breeds. Maybe they have more energy or something!! But this is one of the reasons why I *really* like Pilgrims -- there are no questions about which is a gander and which is a goose! When we had a trio of Pilgrims, though, only one of the geese sat on eggs. The other one may have been laying some of them, I don't know, but I never saw her sitting on the nest. Raccoons got the eggs just before they were due to hatch, which was really too bad, as I was curious to see how they would handle taking care of the babies.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 21, 2000.

its not that safe because the one that hasnt mated will most likely get agressive and kill the baby chicks if you want my advise either get another gander or get another cage i have two duck and i am fixing to get an african goose i am raising ducks bantams and african geese at school my duck have layed 28 eggs but still that doesnt mean their all going to hatch so dont get you hopes up if you ever have a question email me back please

your answer, chynna

-- chynna marie crawford (ssmith@pnx.com), April 27, 2002.