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LELAND HAYES' FREE GAMEBIRD eZINE

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AS I SEE IT …

I love Waterfowl! My favorite goose is the Emperor! What about you?

The Emperor Goose

(Anser canagicus)

This species of goose will be my next acquisition for sure. It is a very beautiful birds to be sure, but it is also a fascinating species. The Emperor goose comes from a very limited range in the far North. It resides in the Aleutian chain of islands off the coast of Alaska and in the tundra area of Siberia. It occupies the marshlands and the seashore. One would wonder how it could survive and raise their young in such harsh conditions.

Most people do not realize that in the Summer this area is lush with green growth and abounds with insect life. Millions of wild flowers dot the land alongside the clear sparkling pools of water. The sun shines most of 24

hours and the young goslings have a chance to mature quickly during the brief summer. By the end of July or the first part of August the winds begin to blow and the signs of Winter are abundant. No matter, the little goslings

have matured and grown their protective feathers and can fly Southwest- ward to their ancestry wintering grounds.

Winters for the Emperor geese is not so pleasant. The winds blow constantly and there is constant fog which casts a gloomy feeling about the land. The warm ocean currents do not allow all of the water to freeze but I can imagine that the long winters are not too pleasant for this bird.

However, they are abundant in numbers according to some reports. They just stay to themselves and are in areas that are not populated. I was really shocked to read that the natives eat their eggs taken from their nests. They are also killed for food. Perhaps this accounts for reports that in the last several decades their numbers have diminished. I guess they have been doing it for many years now and both have a balanced existence until the advent of the shotgun and rifle, and of course more population of the Eskimos..

These geese have been described as "majestic" and surely they are just that. They are a stout goose with the adults showing dark scales all over a white background. The head is white along with the tail. In the wild the head is usually stained green from feeding in the shallow pools' algae. The sex more alike and must be vent sexed or sexed after maturity. However, some have observed that the females as a general rule are a bit smaller than the males. In a captive flock they are gentle by nature and almost never cause many trouble in a mixed flock. Hand raised birds are friendly and curious by nature and will often come up to their keeper wanting a treat or from curiosity.

Some breeders report that in captivity there are more females than males thus creating a surplus of female ratio to males. This is not good as these geese pair up and are generally monogamous as are other geese.

Raising the Young

Several have suggested that young Emperor goslings are more delicate than some of the other geese. Goslings should not be fed high protein as their diet should be made up of at least 50% vegetable matter. This consists of grass, lettuce, and any other green vegetables. A 20% starter ration will be just fine as long as the green foods are fed. Some breeders put a general antibiotic in their water the first 10 days to help them cope with bacteria. This may be important as in the wild on the Tundra there is little disease agents thus perhaps accounting for their delicateness when very young. In time they build up resistance to most of the diseases that are found in warmer climates.

When they are several weeks and are beginning to feather out they can be put out in a pen on the lawn if the weather is pleasant. They will pick at the grass and get needed exercise. They do not need water until they mature and then only for baths.

One day I too will get some of these geese - In the meantime I can dream, can't I?

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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Hi Leland,

I've read in one of your great books that if you don't reduce the brooder temp by 5 degrees each week, a bird can develop 'bare back'.

Once this happens, is there any chance feathers will grow later in life ?

Can I assume, it's okay to breed this bird ?

Your friend

Ed.

Answer: I did recommend that the temperature be reduced each week. This precludes that the brooders are kept at room temperature 24 hours a day. If the room gets cold at night adjustments should be made accordingly to keep

the chick at a comfortable temperature.

A very good rule of thumb which can be applied to every situation Let the chicks tell you if they are comfortable...If they are balled up and chirping they are too cool; if they are standing away from the heater, panting, they are too warm... adjust your temperatures accordingly.

Yes, the feathers will grow back if they get "bare backed" from heat. That is, if they are not too badly burned. Adjust the temperature about one-half way between the top of the chicks head and his feet. That way when he stands up

his back will not be too hot.

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Amherst, Golden and Silvers available this fall.

Please contact Fran at for

more info and photos. Thanks

9/20

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How to contact me: email:

Leland B. Hayes, Ph.D.

32653 Lilac Rd.,

Valley Center, CA 92082

Phone/FAX (760) 742-1173

URL http://www.lelandhayes.com

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