Geese

Species we keep:

Emperor
Red-Breasted
Cackling Canada
Ross'
Pinkfooted
Lesser Whitefronted
NeNe
Maned (Australian Woodduck)

Captive Breeding General Comments

The keeping of geese in captivity is an ancient tradition that has produced all of the domestic varieties of geese commonly seen in exhibitions across the planet. The common European Grayleg goose provided the genetic basis for most of these domesticated varieties.

At our breeding center, our efforts focus on wild-type geese and their reproduction and preservation. All of our geese are hand-raised, on grass and provided access to water as soon as it is possible to avoid health complications and chilling. Geese will pair for life, but will re-pair if a mate is lost. They tend to only reproduce at three years, with the exceptional pair that may begin breeding at two years of age.

Our geese, with the exception of the NeNe are offered three-sided shelters whenever possible for reproduction. This does not include the Maned goose, which is a cavity nester, similar to its cousin, the woodduck. They enjoy the ability to oversee the surrounding area. Our geese are also offered grass pens whenever possible, although it rarely lasts. There was one scientific study done on the foraging habits of Snow Geese which found that most of the nutrients that compose the egg are eaten in the wintering ground. This is important for captive breeding to consider in order to offer the correct food source to birds early enough in the year that these nutrients will make it to the egg.

Emperor

This incredible goose is extremely weather tolerant. In the wild, this species spends its winter in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and breeds during the summer in the high Arctic, where Canadian, American and Russian borders meet. The quiet and pleasant nature of emperors make them highly sought-after in captivity. If you want to add this species to your collection, you should let someone know early in the year as there are never large surplusses of this great species of goose.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:	III
Status in Captivity:	Usually available annually
Incubation Period:	24-25 Days
Clutch Size:	Usually 4-6, we had one female lay 8 eggs in a nest one year.

Red-Breasted

Possibly my favourite goose species. This eloquent little bird has character and each one is unique in its own way. It appears that the new imported bloodlines are very vigorous, laying plenty of eggs and having excellent gosling survival. This species is susceptible to West Nile Virus, so keep this in mind when purchasing your new birds. We are breeding from 4 pairs of Red-breasted this year, all of which were imported from Europe.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:	II
Status in Captivity:	Becoming more common due to new bloodlines.
Incubation Period:	24-26 days
Clutch Size:	Usually 6 eggs.

Cackling Canada

A great goose for the beginner. Most birds are usually as productive as the other Canada races in captivity, raising plenty of young each year. Watch for hybrids when purchasing your new birds, there should never be a white ring at the base of a cackling canada's neck. Whtie flecking on opposite sides of the birds' crown is desired when possible. This trait indicates a very pure specimen. This species will hybridise with other Canada's and other geese, so it is best to keep them isolated. They can also be aggressive at times.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:	Not Listed
Status in Captivity:	Common
Incubation Period:	26 days
Clutch Size:	6 eggs

Ross'

Probably the neatest thing about Ross geese is their trumpet-like call that the males do in the breeding season. Males will gather and trumpet together, probably being an indicator of pair-bonds. These birds appear to do best in mating if kept in groups of 3 pairs or more. They can also be very difficult to breed in captivity, and are thus probably not the best birds for a beginner to keeping geese.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:
Status in Captivity:	Uncommon
Incubation Period:	28 days
Clutch Size:	4 eggs

Pinkfooted

This large goose is another unique species. Considered an agricultural pest in parts of their home range, they are very uncommon in North American aviaries. They are not as striking as many of the other goose species, but they should be given the same attention nonetheless. Pairs appear to breed readily at about 3 years of maturity, and birds are always long-lived.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:
Status in Captivity:	Uncommon
Incubation Period:	28 days
Clutch Size:	Usually 6 eggs.

Lesser Whitefronted

The quiet little lesser whitefronted geese are a great bird for the beginner who wants to get into keeping geese. They are small and easy to handle if necessary. Males are usually only slightly aggressive in breeding season if someone approaches their female on her nest.

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:
Status in Captivity:	Common
Incubation Period:	25 days
Clutch Size:	5-6 eggs.

NeNe

Scientific Name:
CITES Status:	I
Status in Captivity:	Usually available annually
Incubation Period:	28 days
Clutch Size:	4-6 eggs

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Maned (Australian Woodduck)

This great little goose appears to be more of a duck in its reproductive nature, nesting in woodduck boxes that are elevated. They make a really unique noise when paired to communicate. Our pairs have not yet reproduced successfully, but we are told that once a pair begins to breed, they will regularly do so until one mate dies, when the other will re-pair.