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Ducks & Geese: General {Links updated 8/9/10}

Raising Ducklings and Goslings. The basics of keeping waterfowl.

Better Farming Series 39 - Raising Ducks 1: How to Begin (FAO, 1990, 73 p.) This is an FAO manual intended for African farmers. As such, it is pretty simplistic, though surprisingly broad in scope. These make it an excellent starter manual, though experienced farmers/ranchers will probably get nothing out of it... See also: UNDERSTANDING POULTRY MEAT AND EGG PRODUCTION and Raising Chickens and Ducks

Management Requirements for Waterfowl (Virginia Tech University) The breed of waterfowl you raise depends on your reason for raising them. First, which is best to raise--ducks or geese? Ducks are small and require less space to raise. However, ducks require a grain supplement year round and are more prone to predators. Geese require twice as much space. However, geese do well on limited grain when they have plenty of area to graze and are seldom bothered by predators.

Broederey de WeydeGansch A site from the Netherlands. "We breed American buff geese which we imported from the US for a hobby. On our website, in Dutch and English you can find a lot of info about housing, keeping, feeding geese etc. Also a lot of photo's."

Ducks and Geese (Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food) This factsheet discusses information pertaining to the raising and management of ducks and geese.

Raising Waterfowl (University of Wisconsin) PDF FILE

RAISING DUCKS AND GEESE. There are many reasons for keeping ducks and geese. Not only are they beautiful, but they will entertain you with their antics. The ducks will eat those pesky slugs and snails, and the geese will control your overgrown grass. They will produce abundant eggs for eating or decorating, and they can supply you with down for pillows and meat for your table. Geese can be used for guard duties too, as shown on national TV. Both ducks and geese can be exhibited and many of ours have done very well in shows. And last but not least, they can make very fun pets!

Brooding and Rearing Ducklings and Goslings - University of Missouri. Goslings and ducklings can be successfully brooded by broody chicken hens and most breeds of ducks and geese. If the young birds were not hatched by the broody female, place them under her at night. Be certain broody birds are free of lice and mites. Provide the hen and her brood with a dry comfortable shelter.

Breeds of Geese. Short descriptions of the various breeds, from large to small.

Waterfowl of Chenoa. Good pictures and information on various breeds of Ducks and Geese. Chenoa Waterfowl is a family project of the Field family, to give the boys and girls of West Tennessee an opportunity to see and study wildlife, waterfowl in particular, that they might not be likely to see without this effort. Schools are encouraged to plan birding field trips during the fall and spring. Each year between 1,500 and 2,000 students take advantage of the opportunity to tour Chenoa Waterfowl with their teachers.

Pacific Northwest Breeds of Ducks, Geese, & Swans. Some Excellent Photos. These web pages are intended for use by the biology students at Gresham High School Gresham, OR

Leg and Foot Disorders in Domestic Fowl Most leg and foot disorders in fowl can be prevented through proper nutrition and management. However, some problems can be genetic. In today's large meat chickens and turkeys the problems become very complex since the birds put on weight faster than they build their bone structure to support the weight. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Download the PDF Many more interesting publications available at: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/category/poultry.html

Transporting Poultry in a Humane Manner During the summer and fall months, poultry owners are hauling poultry to fairs, markets and other gatherings. Unfortunately, very few people put much thought into how to best transport their fowl. As a result, birds don't show well, get sick or die in transit. These results can be avoided with a little planning and extra care. Consider the following factors before transporting fowl. By: Phillip J. Clauer, Poultry Extension Specialist, VA. Tech. 

Poultry-- Small Farm Flock – provides a quick overview of small farm poultry markets. Many more interesting publications available at: http://www.ansci.umn.edu/poultry/resources/minnesota_publications.htm

Processing Farm-Raised Poultry - Kansas State University guide to home processing of poultry, March 2000.

Duck and Goose...from Farm to Table The White Pekin duck, native to China, is a relative newcomer to America. In 1873, a Yankee Clipper ship crossed the Pacific with fewer than a dozen of them, marking the beginning of America's domestic duck industry. The domestic goose, bred in ancient Egypt, China and India, arrived from a different direction -- across the Atlantic from Europe, where they're immensely popular.

Homestead Duck and Goose Production Back in 1949 — before factory farming and the "pump 'em full of chemicals" school of agriculture blitzed the country — a fellow named Jack Widmer wrote a little book called PRACTICAL ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. Now that manual wasn't what you'd call completely exhaustive, the writing style wasn't the best and a few of the ideas it advanced — such as confining laying hens in cages — were later refined into the kind of automated farming that so many of us are fighting against these days. PDF Archive

Incubating, Hatching, Brooding Ducks and Geese Having been practiced in Egypt and other Eastern countries for centuries. Generally speaking, the simpler the machinery, the greater is the relative success. Intricate and expensive incubators are not usually desirable, because of the absolute necessity of constant attention to numberless details.

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Ducks

Raising Ducks About 22 million ducks are raised annually in the United States. Most are produced under confinement on specialized duck farms in a few commercially important duck production areas. However, many farms still raise a few ducks primarily for family use or local sale. This publication is intended for the latter group.

Quackers Home Page has some good information about ducks, including links to hatcheries and suppliers, but be warned: the author has music playing automatically on every page, so turn your speakers down if you are browsing at work (or if you don't feel you'd enjoy a MIDI version of "Rubber Ducky"). Her pages of links refer to some good websites on raising poultry, including an entire section of sites on candling eggs.

Backyard Ducks Although the right breed of ducks can be a wonderful resource for your garden and farm, their uses can range far beyond utility use. With a quick waddle-step and a permanently silly grin fixed on their faces, these birds can toddle right into your heart, providing hours of antics and fun. Easily imprinted on humans when raised as ducklings, they can become loyal as dogs and will happily absorb as much attention as they can possibly garner while following everywhere you go.

Raising ducks If you plan to raise young ducklings and goslings you need to be prepared. They will need shelter and need proper housing as they will outgrow the little boxes you might bring them home in. They will also start to be messy, active and smell...

Raising a Few Ducks When raising ducks for meat, you are almost limited to the White Pekin duck. There are two other meat-type ducks, the Rouen (a tame Mallard bred to a much larger size) and the Muscovy. It is the White Pekin duck, however, that is grown and marketed by commercial duck growers in the United States. Some people keep ducks for egg production. The Khaki Campbell and Indian Runner breeds are both well known for their egg laying ability.

Feeding Ducks (North Carolina State University) Ducks are raised as pets on small ponds or lakes, for release in hunting preserves or conservation areas, and for eating purposes. The mallard is the most popular duck breed in the United States. Domestic ducks, such as the White Pekin and the Muscovy, are also popular. The commercial duck industry in the United states relies primarily on the White Pekin for meat production.

Raising Ducks in Small Flocks (University of California) PDF FILE

Domestic Duck Breeds from Oklahoma State University. Not complete listing and contains information on some breeds and strains not recognized by the American Poultry Assn. Short descriptions of the various breeds, from large to small.

Muscovy Duck Care Practices is one of a series of University of California publications addressing the issue of animal care relating to food production in California. This publication is a joint effort of the Poultry Workgroup, Cooperative Extension, and industry representatives.

incubation Raising ducks is virtually foolproof provided they are kept warm, dry and well fed, ducklings almost rear themselves.

Gardening Forums: Farm Life: Raising Ducks

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Geese

Raising Canada Geese There are several subspecies of the nominate family. The main difference is size and coloration and geographical location. I personally love the Giant Canada goose, especially those with the bright white on their head. But then as I think about it, I love the little Cacklers with the rose color on their breasts. Canada geese are undoubtedly one of my favorite geese.

Using Geese To Control Weeds Weeder geese have been used for years to control unwanted vegetation in commercial crops, waterways and lawns. They have been most extensively utilized in the Orient but have also been traditionally used in the U.S. in cotton, berries, potatoes and mint.

Geese: the underestimated species This article looks at the possible role of geese in small-scale farming systems as an ecological alternative for weed control and as guard animals.

Raising Geese Geese are raised in practically all parts of the United States, although they total some 0.2 percent of the poultry population. The Emden and Toulouse are the two most popular breeds; many African and White Chinese are also raised. There are considerable differences in breeds and strains of geese so their characteristics should be fully evaluated to best meet the producer's requirements. If birds are to be kept for breeding, then egg production and reproductive efficiency are important factors. If goslings are raised only for a market flock, the market's meat production and carcass requirements are of prime importance.

Raising Geese (University of California-Davis) See also Raising Geese (Texas A&M University)

Domestic Geese Breeds from Oklahoma State University. Not complete listing and contains information on some breeds and strains not recognized by the American Poultry Assn. African, Chinese - Brown & White, Diepholz, Embden, Egyptian, Pilgrim, Toulouse.

Raising goslings from Incubator Having raised a few different types (or breeds) I can say one thing for certain: They all hatch the same way. The first thing you will need is patience. Without patience, you are going to loose too many babies...

Geese Grow On Grass IN raising poultry, Ed and I believe chickens are fundamental - they furnish both meat and eggs. But after you are producing broilers in your battery and have a flock of laying hens, you ought to consider raising at least one other kind of poultry for variety's sake.

GEESE FOR MEAT PRODUCTION This section describes the different management and feeding requirements of goose production for meat. It should be noted that, with very little variation, the same management and feeding recommendations apply to all types of goose production.

Anyone for a Few Geese? SO YOU WANT to keep a few geese-but don't know where to start? Let's start with some little known facts: (1). Geese are easy to raise; (2) they grow rapidly; (3) geese do not require much expensive feed; (4) they are highly disease resistant. How is that for a few good points for starters? Geese can create one problem if allowed to do so by their owners: they can be dirty if confined to a very small area.

Feeding geese (Geese Raising) The following information forms Part E of Agfact A5.0.2 Geese raising. Goslings are often fed a similar ration to ducks, but because goslings show a rapid weight gain during the first 4 weeks, they need more protein. The heavy breeds of geese weigh approximately 85–100 g at day-old and may weigh up to 1.6 kg at 4 weeks of age.

Responses of Snow Geese to Artificially Induced Hatching ...

Geese - domestic - care and husbandry Looking after geese can be a rewarding hobby. The beginner should start with a trio of adult geese and confine them to a movable pen until the birds become accustomed to their new territory. The movable pen allows the geese to be regularly moved to fresh pasture.

Goose Guide Managing Canada Geese in an Urban Environment: This 44 page manual is intended for anyone concerned with urban Canada goose management. We define urban geese as those that spend most, if not all, of their life in the urban or suburban environment. This includes resident geese as well as those commonly referred to as “migrants,” which summer elsewhere but spend part or all of the fall to early spring period in urban or suburban areas. Although this guide emphasizes Canada geese, many of the techniques and management strategies listed are also useful for ducks, swans, and perhaps other waterfowl species.

Understanding the Behavior of Domestic Geese - By Lou Horton In my opinion, one of the most fascinating aspects of raising domestic waterfowl involves observing the behavior patterns in a flock of geese. Geese are tremendously social animals and the relationships that form in a flock are both amazing and amusing to watch. Unlike most other forms of poultry, geese are relatively long lived and so their behavior can be observed over a long span of time. It is also clear to me that geese tend to vary more from one individual to another in terms of personality traits than any other form of domestic poultry does.

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