[Fiction question] Can you help me with a description of some geese?

This is definitely question for @Coloma – our resident goose girl!

1–2. It depends on the species. I have harvested canada geese from 5–15 lbs. Stretched out on the ground some were close to 5 ft from beak to tail.
3. Unless they are in the molting phase or highly stressed they won’t shed feathers.
4. Yes they all can fly unless they have had their wings clipped, even then geese with clipped wings can fly short distances.
5. Yes, like any other bird poop, just more of it.
6. It depends on the breed, anything from honks to whistles to gaggling.
7. They bite hard they can draw blood. Getting hit by the wings of an angry goose can break bones.
8 Most are very territorial during the mating, nesting and young raising periods. They will aggressivly defend their nest and territory.

Wiki has a decent list of breeds, pick one you like and go from there.

I think the Emden would best suit your needs.

Argh. Need, not “meed.” ^^^

1. They can fly.
2. they do bite. It feels like a sharp pinch.
3. They would lose a few feathers.
4. One could get upstairs.
5. They will poop in excitement or fear.
6. Goose guano is like bird poop only bigger and grayer. it is usually firm and rounded.

“How tall are they?” means how tall do they stand? On their feet, will their heads come up to my shoulder? Will they be taller than the dwarf?

In my experience, geese:
-like to be cheeky
-cock their heads to look up at you
-hiss loudly
-can easily cop an attitude

@Jeruba They probably won’t stand as high as your shoulder, but the larger breeds could definately reach that high if they stretched. Some of them probably could stand as tall as the dwarf, but not all of them. The geese I have known average slightly taller than my waist when not excited and streching.

Haha…wonders never cease.

Lets see…geese 101

1. Most breeds are about two feet tall at the top of their heads. some breeds are more upright in posture.

2.Geese are divided into light, medium and heavy weight categories by breed standard.
Chinese geese and Sebastopol are medium and a Embdens and dewlap Toulousse would be considered the largest. Pilgrim geese are considered a light weight breed as well.

3. Geese molt every year after their breeding season ends in July. The molt begins with the biggest primary feathers, wings and tail, then secondary body feathers and finally the down feathers. Yes, lots of feathers floating around for a few months out of the year, otherwiee they drop a feather very occasionally the rest of the year.

4. NO, domesrtic breeds do not fly. They are all too heavy, even the smaller breeds. They may run and coast a few feet or lift off enough ( the lightweight breeds ) to maaaaybe clear a 2–3 ft. fence, but, this would be on a downhill run with a launching factor. lol
They do not migrate and if trapped in poor conditions, stagnant ponds, little grass, plant items to feed on, will die. Dumping domestic ducks and geese is very inhumane.

Yes, Marwyn climbs stairs very well, but they don’t do well going down. Dangerous to fall and break a leg.

5. Goose guano is recycled grass and grains. Geese have very simple digestive systems, they quite a lot. Having a couple around is hardly noticable, their poo just gets washed into the lawn and the sand in their corral. I have very green grass. haha
Geese are primarily vegetarian, minus some insects, frogs, small invertebrates. About 75% of their diet is plant material and some grains and commercial feeds. Wild geese glean lots of waste grains in fields as well.

6.Lots of voice distinction from the different breeds. The Chinese are know to be the most “talkative”. Marywn has several different calls and the females always have a more shrill voice. One way to sex certain breeds is by the voices of the adults.
Their are honks, squuaaanks, chirps, shrieks, whaaaaas, and various combos of all.

7. Yes, they will usually “posture” with out stretched necks to convey a threat. They will bite with a death grip and twist, leaving marks and bruises and pound you with their wings. They have a lot of strength in their wings and a good left hook hurts!
Domestics raised as imprinted goslings are not as aggressive as feral or wild geese, but still are territorial and defensive about their turf.
They are the most aggressive during breeding season which is from Feb. through June. This is usually the stories people have about very angry geese. You’re in the park or at the lake in spring and they don’t want you there in their nesting territories.

Geese are great! Oh, and they can live well over 20 years in Marwyns case. :-)

Great! Fabulous! Thank you!

Just need help with #8. Could a strong young man scoop one up and carry it securely without hurting it? I want the son to come downstairs laughing and carrying the goose that has flapped its way up and into his sister’s room.

10. And they can wear diapers if you want to keep them inside your home! ;)

@Jeruba

Yes, no problem…but…“scoop” the goose from in front by slipping your arm up under it’s breast and scooping firmly with your hand on it;s abdomen. It’s head will be pointing backwards, and then, firmly restrain it;s wings by placing the other hand/arm across it’s back and hugging it to your body.

Do not ever grab their necks!

(That’s our goose girl – I knew she’d come in handy some day!)

I really learned a lot from this Q.

And some of those noobs are asking what makes Fluther so great…..phshaw.

Would you even get sensible answers to a Q like this on YA?

I rest my case, your honor.

:D

And…I completed my story. It might not be a final draft, but it’s done. There are plenty of details in it that came straight from this thread and nowhere else. One of the geese (Augustine) even says “squuaaank.”

I wish I could share my story with you, but caution says no. Nevertheless, I’m truly grateful for all the expert help. Couldn’t have done it without you. >>> smooch <<<

Interesting name for the goose you’ve got there, Jeruba.

Is it just coincidence that it’s a mere two letters different from a certain Fluther CM ? Hmmm

Yes, actually, @Buttonstc. No connection other than etymological. The other three are named Bertrand, Plato, and John.

@Jeruba

Love it!
I have a childrens story idea for ” Doppler the weather duck” nobody steal my name! lol

@Cruiser Yes, Duck diapers…Marwyn may be house goose one day in his ancient goosehood.

I should also ad they are very intelligent and sensitive creatures of habit, they like their routines, just like we do and have looong memories. :-)

@Coloma LOL, our local weather man has a Doppler the cat.

This thread was highly enjoyable. Just sayin’.