Houck Hollow

The Rat Pack

The Rat Pack has expanded significantly in 2025. Stay tuned for updates in upcoming months. The original group was named after Frank, the Sebbie, who got his moniker from Frank Sinatra because of his beautiful blue eyes. This family group is easily recognizable due to Errol, the huge blue splash gander who is the dominant male in the group.

We originally thought Errol was female and named him Esther. Giants and Blues have a very sweet, shy nature. Since I determine gender based on character, these traits fool me sometimes. Errol’s best friend, Dean, was named Leah as a gosling, then Leah became so large, we realized he was a gander and changed his name to Dean after Dean Martin.

Dean and Errol are half-siblings. Shirley, Dean’s mate, may or may not be a half-sibling of one of them as well. All three of them are directly descended from Papa Goose, but only Shirley recognizes her dad.

We adopted Frank from a woman who lived in Lyons. She wanted him to have a home with other geese. His mate had been killed and he was lonely, living with only chickens and ducks. Frank loves being held, but not being caught.

The Rat Pack is named for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Errol Flynn, and then we added Shirley Temple.

Errol—Born 2023

Errol is the offspring of Papa Goose, a rare giant Embden, and Beauty, a Blue, both owned by my friend, Ann. Beauty passed in 2025.

Everyone who comes to the property asks me about Errol. They all want to know where to get a big, gentle giant like him. The truth is, he’s pretty special.

I sent his photo to Dave Holderread, the man who literally wrote the book on geese, and who invented the American Blues as well as the Lavender Ice breeds. He told me Errol is what he calls a Blue Splash. When he was developing Blues, geese like Errol began popping up.

Type—Giant Blue Splash

Dean—Born 2023

We almost lost Dean in 2024. He became very sick and lost more than half of his body weight. It also impacted his ability to walk or stand on his own.

Nursing him carefully for more than two months, we hand-fed him applesauce, water, a vitamin cocktail, and his favorite food, watermelon.

Gradually, he recovered. His health was bolstered by daily visits from his faithful friend, Errol, who refused to leave his side. Hearing his call coming from somewhere in the house, Errol made his way up onto the deck and pecked the sliding door until we let him in for visiting hours.

Type—Giant Embden Gander

Frank—Adopted 2024

A friend of mine asked me if we would be willing to adopt a lonely gander living out in the country in Lyons.

Mom and I drove out there, taking nothing with us in the SUV other than a blanket and hoped for the best, not realizing it was an hour drive.

After corralling Frank and setting him up in the cargo area with warm heaters blasting him, he settled down like a good boy and went right to sleep.

He cried for three days, missing his favorite duckies, but Errol soon asked him to join his flock.

Type—Sebastopol Gander

Shirley—Born 2023

Shirley was the only goose born naturally in Papa Goose’s flock in 2023 so she had a lot of aunties and uncles watching out for her.

Then, when my friend Ann’s flock was devastated by a cougar attack, Ann brought all the survivors to my property. When Papa’s injuries had healed up and it was time to return, Ann left some of her flock with me. Shirley stayed behind.

Poor baby Shirley cried for a long time, but like Frank, she was adopted by Errol.

You can tell Shirley from the other Embdens because she is smaller and has a hole in the web of one foot.

Type—Embden Goose

Cary—Born 2025

When we hatch out a batch of geese and ducks, they don’t always come from the same parents. As they say, timing is everything.

Because of that, Barney and Betty are raising Errol’s son, Bonnie Blue, and Errol is raising one of their goslings, named Cary after Cary Grant.

Because I’m still on the fence about Cary’s gender, I thought the name would work well for either a gander or a goose. With Chinese geese, the females start making an oinking sound around six months.

Since Cary doesn’t, I’m fairly certain it’s a boy.

Type—White Chinese

Bobo—Born 2025

Gonzo, one of my favorite geese, laid several eggs this spring, proving I named her wrong. That doesn’t make her any less special.

We were very excited to incubate some of her eggs, not only to see what her offspring would look like but to find out who she’d selected for a mate.

When Bobo and Beaker were born, looking exactly like mom, we still couldn’t determine their genetics. This time, I picked names that might work for either gender. True twins are very rare among waterfowl, but these two look like twins. Bobo doesn’t have the buff color on the cheek.

Type—White Chinese/Embden Hybrid

Mickey—Born 2025

Fred and Bertie had a lot of babies this past spring, and we sold all but two of them. Both babies turned out to be boys.

Mickey, named after Mickey Rooney, is a very strong-willed, gander. He frequently goes after his own birth parents, making his mother cry.

Because of that behavior, it makes me sad that I let Errol raise him instead of Fred and Bertie. I think Fred would have taken in his boys, but Bertie wasn’t going to raise any babies she didn’t hatch herself. Next year, she might change her mind, or she might decide to sit.

Type—African/Toulouse Hybrid

Beaker—Born 2025

Beaker looks more like Gonzo than Bobo due to a small patch of buff colored feathers on the cheek.

These two are not actually twins, though I have seen many of our ducks lay double-yolk eggs. Successfully hatching one of those eggs is very rare.

A double-yolk egg would more likely be fraternal twins. Still, siblings of any kind are special, and unless you keep meticulous records, you’ll never know which bird is actually the older brother. We’ve noticed it takes about three weeks for goslings to imprint, unless mama hatched them herself.

Type—Embden/ White Chinese Hybrid

Humphrey—Born 2025

This striking gander was named after Humphrey Bogart. Though he’s easily going to be as large as Papa Goose, his giant grandfather, we think he might have a little Blue mixed into his genes.

Most of Papa Goose’s pure white Embden line has striking blue eyes. Take a close look at Dean and you’ll know what I mean.

Humphrey’s eyes are a little dark, which makes me think he might have some Blue genes. They can have brown eyes.

One of my favorite Humphrey Bogart quotes is, “Things are never so bad they can’t be made worse.”

Type—Giant Embden

Fern—Born 2025

After wondering if Frank was fertile for over a year, we were delighted to discover Fern growing into Sebbie feathers.

I’ve tried unsuccessfully to incubate fertile Sebastopol eggs for several seasons now. Females are very expensive, and they are notoriously difficult to hatch.

We believed Fern was a typical Embden until we noticed her growing out her long curly feathers. She’s not fully feathered like her dad, but she’s a beauty.

Make no mistake, she’ll have her pick of handsome boys come spring.

Type—Sebastopol/Embden Hybrid

Bing—Born 2025

I searched far and wide for Rat Pack names for my babies this year, and Bing Crosby was one of our favorites.

Nobody had a voice like his. I loved and still love listening to his music.

This young bird was awarded Bing’s moniker because I’m still not sure if it’s a boy or a girl. We’re hoping for a girl since we don’t have enough. We figured Bing would work for a gander and Bing like the cherry would work for a goose.

With this bird, I’m leaning toward a goose because of the size.

Type—White Embden

Harrison—Born 2025

Named for Rex Harrison, this bird is just as large as his flock mate Humphrey.

Occasionally, I wonder if it might be possible for Frank to be his dad because he has a slight crop of feathers on his back that stick up.

Then again, if Frank were his father, I’d think he’d end up as curly as his sister, Fern. One of my favorite Rex Harrison quotes is, “Exhilaration is that feeling you get just after a great idea hits you, and just before you realize what’s wrong with it.”

I can identify with that. Excellent quote.

Type—Giant Embden

Fred’s Flock

Fred’s Flock is a good example of how we raise our waterfowl. When we intend to hatch out or purchase new birds, we always mix ducks with geese. Visitors ask me if the two types get along. The answer is yes. In fact, some ducks and geese form such strong bonds, they never leave each other. Now, if you want to try waterfowl and chickens, that’s different. Can they get along? Yes. Will a gander protect chickens? Possibly. The answer is always, it depends.

Typically, a flock of nestmates will end up friendly toward one another as adults UNLESS you have a couple of very strong-minded ganders or drakes. What happens in that case is that once puberty hits, the flock splits. This is what happened with Fred and Barney. They were best pals as youngsters, and though their mates still loved each other, the two very powerful Chinese ganders could no longer bunk in the same room.

As a result of that, as well as the unfortunate death in 2024 of his pretty Toulouse mate, Wilma and his foster son, Buck, Fred’s flock has shrunk to just his reliable golden ducks who only head in to visit him at night and his faithful daughter and new mate, Bertie.

Fred & Bertie

Geese often select a mate from their own flock. They prefer to be around those with whom they feel the most comfortable and safe.

It makes perfect sense to me when you think about it. I’ve even seen geese and ganders elect to have no mate and just pal around with the same sex, or even a duck, rather than head outside the group.

When that happens, we try to give that group the duty to raise a new brood in the spring. They will often take a mate from that batch the following season.

Often…not always.

Type—African/Toulouse

Fred—Bought 2023

Fred is a very special bird. Not only does he love being held, but he prefers the company of humans.

The exception, of course, is nesting season. Even then, if Brad is outside, Fred leaves Bertie, much to her protest, to try to get some special man attention.

Fred is the only gander willing to be picked up outside and will tolerate strangers touching him.

Just don’t ever let him catch you petting Barney. Fred is very jealous of his childhood pal and has been known to rip out his feathers if Barney gets close to Brad.

Type—Brown Chinese

Bertie—Born 2024

As you can see from this photo, Bertie is the spitting image of her mother. In temperament they are identical.

She inherited some of her father’s coloring on her nose and breast and a stripe down the back of her neck. Other than that, she’s all Toulouse.

Like her mom, Bertie is serious about the egg laying business. She was the first goose to build a nest, and she hid her eggs very well. The other geese prefer laying in her nest rather than the large plush goose houses we built for them outside.

Type—Toulouse/African Goose

Wilma—Bought 2023

We’ve had Wilma and two of her daughters at Houck Hollow. From what I’ve seen, Toulouse geese love lettuce and are excellent mothers.

Wilma, Bertie’s mother, hatched several babies in 2024. In fact, she was the only goose to do so naturally at Houck Hollow that year, not minding that several of the babies weren’t hers.

Fred accepted his babies, but when he saw giant Embden gosling Buck, he knew the yellow bird wasn’t his and attacked. Soon he grew to love his huge linebacker of a son.

Type—Toulouse Goose

The Bachelors

As of spring 2025, we have a lot of lonely ganders wandering the property. Some of our very clever female ducks have taken up with these strong, handsome lads, using them as bodyguards. You can see one of them in the above photo. A large female pekin has not one, but two big boyfriends who will follow her around and watch over her when she nests. It’s a very nice arrangement for her since they don’t demand anything in return, and they make sure to clear out the competition when it comes to food. They also keep away unwanted attention from any male ducks that take a shine to her.

I am usually pretty good at figuring out the sex of geese based on behavior, even in goslings, but occasionally I get it wrong. For this reason, I sometimes hesitate to name them until their first nesting season. The funny thing is, even they get it wrong sometimes. I have often seen two ganders decide they’re going to be forever pals. They hop into the pond, only to be disappointed when they realize neither of them is female. This doesn’t necessarily end the relationship, but it does mean they might have to change their Facebook status.

Ganders without a mate are definitely not as happy. Sadly, we lost a lot of females in 2024 due to predation. When that happens, we let the bachelors raise the goslings the next spring, and they will then get first dibs on a new mate.

Summer 2025 Update: We attempted to give Marlin and Mariner the task of raising goslings. Marlin took to the job much better than Mariner, but he was constantly worried about his duck girlfriend. When we finally began releasing them outside from their quarantine bonding time, Errol promptly fought Marlin and stole his babies. They are now a part of the Rat Pack. We’ve learned that babies need at least three solid weeks of bonding time. Romulus, Remus, & Kai have all joined Gonzo’s flock to help raise the babies we’ve placed there, and Kai is the definite papa figure of the group. It seems Chinese and African birds are very family-oriented. More updates to come.

Marlin—Born 2024

Marlin is one of those who lost his original mate. We had a pretty giant Embden female named Dory who passed in the fall of 2024. Dory was a sweetie pie but not very smart. She’d turn in circles quite often and run from us.

Marlin, however, is as bright as can be, and he’s very loyal and faithful to the little pekin duck who depends on him for protection. He’ll soon grow into that huge orange bill and set of feet. He’s got the makings to be a HUGE bird.

Type—TSQ Giant Embden

Mariner—Born 2024

Just as with Dory, we lost two of our blue geese in 2024, leaving us with two blue ganders. Mariner is the larger of the two and is best pals with Marlin. Though not as faithful to their pekin girlfriend, Mariner doesn’t wander too far away from Marlin.

Both Mariner and Marlin prefer sleeping at night in the pen we call Gonzo’s. Though it houses only one female goose, she seems to be holding her own with so many ganders and prefers playing the field.

Type—TSQ Blue American

Marshall—Born 2024

Marshall is our second blue gander. He is much shyer and more timid than Mariner. Often seen wandering alone or with Gonzo, Marshall enjoys checking up on various groups of ducks and grazing along the creek.

What he’s not shy about is snack time. He’s always front and center when I’m handing out lettuce, watermelon, or peas.

This quiet boy is seeking a gal who isn’t looking for the toughest guy on the block.

Type—TSQ Blue American

Romulus & Remus—Born 2024

This handsome pair of buffs thought they’d be perfect for each other, until they figured out there was something missing.

Like Mariner and Marlin, they have two cute little Pekin girlfriends they’re protecting at the moment. They’re not as devoted as Marlin, but they make good shadows in which to take naps.

A duck could do worse than these two burly protectors.

Type—TSQ Quality Buff

Leo’s Flock

When my friend, Ann’s flock was decimated by a cougar attack in 2024, she brought the survivors over to my property. When all was safe, she took home some and left others. Leo and Rosie were two who stayed behind. Leo was already mated to Beauty, a pretty Blue goose who went home with Ann, so he began looking for someone new, and he set his sights on Rachel.

Ferris, Rachel’s mate, put up with Leo’s machinations for a while since he’s a pretty easy-going sort of fellow, but in the spring of 2025, Leo decided to take his intentions to the next level and stepped up his game. This led to a gander fight with a shocking result. Long-time leader of the flock, Leo, lost the battle for Rachel’s affections despite Leo’s much larger, brawnier form. Rachel insisted on sticking with her mate and Leo was banished to the bachelor pad during mating season.

I suspect Leo was never interested in Rosie because there is a possibility that Rosie is his mother.

As of the spring of 2025, Leo skulks around a bit depressed, switching back and forth between guarding Rachel and Ferris, and Rosie.

Summer 2025 Update: Sad news. Poor Rosie had to be put down due to very bad arthritis, leaving her unable to walk without terrible pain. Now that mating season is over, Leo has been allowed re-entry into the pen at night. An interesting observation is when Papa Goose was reintroduced to the flock this summer, and Leo made a move to visit him, Rachel intervened, placing her neck on his. She clearly doesn’t want to give up her protector, even if she doesn’t want him for a mate.

Leo—Born 2023

Leo is the half-brother of Errol and possibly the full brother of Dean and Rosie. Though we don’t know who his mother is, we do know his father is Papa Goose, a giant Embden.

Giant Embdens are very rare. As far as I know, there are only three breeders left in the country selling them including Houck Hollow.

Despite their size, these birds are gentle giants. They are difficult to hold on your lap but they often enjoy it.

When Papa Goose returned to our flock, Leo almost rejoined his old family, but Rachel wouldn’t hear of it and stopped him.

Type—Giant Embden

Rosie—Born 2022-Deceased June 2025

We don’t actually know Rosie’s age. Ann is just guessing. However, it’s very clear to us that she’s Papa Goose’s daughter. She’s definitely got giant genes where Shirley, her half sister or possibly daughter is much smaller.

Rosie is an excellent mama and loves checking on the nest and sitting on eggs during the day.

Sadly, Rosie had to be put down in the summer of 2025 due to a painful case of arthritis that made walking nearly impossible. It was very peaceful, and we buried her on the property.

Type—Giant Embden

Ferris—Born 2024

Ferris was raised with a flock of different geese, but we lost them all during the year. When that happened, Rachel moved in.

Ferris has a small grey feather on his hindquarters, which makes me believe he has some Blue American genes.

Blue genes can manifest in a variety of ways. We’ve seen it show up in just one feather, or a beautiful wing tip, or all over the body like Errol.

He also has an interesting feather tick just over his eye that shows up in his offspring.

Type—Embden/Splash

Rachel—Born 2024

Rachel and Dean were thick as thieves until Errol came along. I think it broke her heart to lose her best friend, but Ferris is a sweet, gentle guy.

Rachel doesn’t have the giant gene like some of the rest or if she does, it’s hidden. I’m not sure if the giant gene is dominant.

This goose is very calm and friendly. She keeps her nose to the ground, and Ferris follows her everywhere.

Though Ferris is happy to let Leo be the dominant gander in this flock, he refuses to share his mate, Rachel.

Type—Embden

Sampson’s Flock

Sampson, my buff gander, and his best pal, Dewey, my jumbo pekin, didn’t get mates in the spring of 2024, so they took on the responsibility of raising this entire brood of geese and ducks as single dads that spring. They did a fantastic job too. Sadly, we lost a few of the geese to a bobcat and some of the ducks defected, finding mates in other flocks. Dewey and Sampson still don’t have girlfriends either.

Sampson was hopeful when Sebastian stuck around that something might work out between them, but both were disappointed when it turned out that neither of them was female. Still, turning the duo into a trio got Dewey’s dander up. The big, white duck fought with Sebastian for about a week until both of them settled down. Now you can see the three of them palling around the property with or without the assorted ducks from their flock.

The only other goose couple in Sampson’s flock is Fox and Fennec. Since Fox is too small to defend Fennec’s honor and there are too many bachelors in their home flock, poor Fox and Fennec have been ousted to sleep with the Appleyard ducks until such time as the other bachelors find themselves gals or their hormones cool off a bit.

Summer Update 2025: Feeling sorry for Sampson going on year two without a mate, we purchased five little buff geese at the farm store. Fingers crossed, he and Sebastian will find mates this year. Fox is making a definite move to be head gander of this family flock. Fennec wants to be with the babies. Fox wants to be with her, so fighting has ensued.

Sampson—Bought 2023

We knew Sampson was a fierce protector from the time he was a gosling. When we held him and my little puppy, who loves birds, approached, he bravely hissed at her from one day old.

Originally, we bought Sampson to replace my beloved Bup Bup, who we’d lost two years before, but this gander proves no two geese, no matter how much they may look alike, are the same.

Buff geese all seem to love their babies though and Sammy is no exception.

Type—Buff

Sebastian—Bought 2024

When we bought Sebastian and Fennec in 2024 we got a group of four saddleback geese. Sadly, we lost two of them that first summer. We know these things happen so we always prepare by getting a few extra.

We’d hoped that the two remaining saddlebacks would end up as mates but Fennec and Sebastian weren’t interested in each other.

Fingers crossed that Sebastian will land a suitable mate next year. Maybe one of Fennec’s babies?

Type—Saddleback

Fox—Born 2024

Originally named Mulder, we decided to change this gander’s name when his first mate, Scully, died.

Fox seemed like a good compromise, and when Fennec selected him as her mate, her moniker was chosen as well.

The two appear to be a very content, gentle pair. I am dying to see what their offspring will look like. It’s possible we have one as one of our little babies strongly resembles a pied Chinese. It’s very hard to tell.

Type—White Chinese

Fennec—Bought 2024

Fennec is a sweet goose. Her bill is a duller orange color than Sebastian’s, and unlike Sebastian, she doesn’t have a ring around her neck.

You’ll recognize her with her mate, Fox, one of Barney and Betty’s eldest sons. Apparently, she likes the bad boys. The Chinese geese are loud.

Or maybe she has a thing for K-Pop. The skinny crooners certainly command a lot of attention.

Type—Saddleback

Porter—Bought 2025

Type—Buff

Oliver—Bought 2025

Type—Buff

Izzy—Bought 2025

Type—Buff

Beck—Bought 2025

Type—Buff

Barney’s Flock

Barney and Betty are by far my most prolific goose couple. White Chinese geese are loud, busy, stand on their tippy toes, bossy, lay a ton of eggs, are very good at keeping track of them, and are extremely family-oriented birds. They love being parents and want to do it as much as possible.

Barney will come up when I’m outside and nip my jeans or poke me on the leg to tell me I’m not feeding his babies enough. Then, when I give them lettuce, he’ll do it again to remind me it’s not their favorite. Frozen corn or peas. Right now, lady!

When Betty wants to sit on a nest or lay an egg, it’s a family affair. They all escort Mom to the barn, get her settled, and then the entire group heads down to the house. When she emerges, she hollers to her family, who hollers back loudly enough for the neighborhood to know where they are, and she heads to their location.

It seems the loudest and tallest ganders get first dibs on everything. Size doesn’t matter. That means Barney and his boys can shove aside the much larger Embdens simply because they stick their noses higher in the air and make more noise, thus they get the best veggies and swim in the cleanest swimming pools.

That goes to show you that confidence is everything. Score a win for the little guy.

Summer Update 2025: Angel, Barney’s son, very much wanted to be a papa and took on the job of raising our first hatch of goslings this year, including many Embdens who now think they are White Chinese.

Barney—Bought 2023

Named for Barney Rubble and mated to Betty, Barney is the father and current head gander of the Chinese flock.

Barney is very sweet-natured. He used to be best friends with Fred but since both wanted to be head ganders, they began fighting when they reached adulthood and had to be separated.

Barney enjoys being held but this causes Fred much angst. If Fred sees one of us hold Barney, he will attack out of jealousy, so we only hold Barney where Fred can’t see it.

Type—White Chinese

Betty—Bought 2023

Barney, Betty, Fred, & Wilma were all purchased the same day from the same bin at a Wilco store. They were all labeled Chinese.

It became clear very quickly that both Fred and Wilma were not Chinese. Luckily we did get two males and two females. Betty and Barney are very happy together.

Neither Betty or Wilma liked being held by people. They are very shy compared to their mates but both are very excellent mothers.

Type—White Chinese

Angel—Born 2024

Though Fox and his original mate, Scully, were the firstborn of Barney & Betty, Angel & his brothers were the first we let them keep.

Betty didn’t technically hatch out her own babies in 2024. We incubated some, sold several, and then Wilma hatched out a few and raised some. Angel was one of those.

He’s named after Angel from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and because he developed angel wing. It doesn’t stop him from being an excellent father to his adopted goslings though. He’s a great dad.

Type—White Chinese

Oz—Born 2024

One of four boys we let Barney and Betty keep from their 2024 brood. Oz is named for a character from Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

Oz and Spike are nearly indistinguishable. Both have black bands and will always be seen with Angel and Squiggy.

The two ganders are inseparable and follow the lead of dad, Barney, and older brother, Angel. Both of them are very happy just being a part of the group.

Both have an eye defect in the right eye, but Oz’s is nearly completely shut.

Type—White Chinese

Spike—Born 2024

One of four ganders raised by Barney and Betty. Spike is a sub-gander who follows older brother Angel, and his dad Barney.

He has a defect in his right eye, which leaves him partially blind. This is due to a sickness that affected the flock in the winter of 2024. The older geese had antibodies to fight it off, but some of the younger did not. Eye lesions are one of the side effects.

Spike is a good-natured brother who would like a mate of his own, but otherwise is happy to be with his family.

Type—White Chinese

Fonzie—Born 2025

Newest brother, Fonzie, is already palling around with his older brothers making as much noise as possible.

He’s learning how to stick his nose in the air and protect his much larger sisters.

I don’t think he even notices that they’re an entirely different breed of goose. He’s just happy to be part of a big family and have a job to do. Also, as the little guy, it would be nice if he could get some of the good stuff to eat once in a while.

Type—White Chinese

Pinky—Born 2025

Whew! We finally got another girl. Named for Pinky Tuscadero, from Happy Days, this pretty girl will have her pick of handsome brothers when mating season comes around.

Her entire family is very protective of her, which is as it should be. Pinky is a very pretty little girl. A little bit smaller than, The Fonz, but she’s just as loud as the rest of them.

Type—White Chinese

Bonnie Blue—Born 2025

Technically, Bonnie Blue is the daughter of Errol and Shirley, but she’s being raised by Barney’s flock.

This girl is a beauty. The spitting image of her father and her grandmother, Beauty.

I also suspect she’s starting to realize she’s a little different than the geese who are raising her. They are very loud. My hope is she’ll choose Marlin or Mariner for a mate in the fall.

Update: We now suspect Bonnie Blue is a gander!

Type—Giant Blue Splash

Squiggy—Born 2024

One of four ganders raised by Barney and Betty. Squiggy is almost completely blind, affected by the same sickness that damaged the eyes of his brothers, Oz and Spike.

It also caused his neck to bend crookedly. Despite vitamin treatments, he’s never fully recovered.

Squiggy gets around by staying close to his family and crying out to them when he gets lost. He knows the land very well and manages well enough, but when they’re eating peas off the ground, poor Squiggy doesn’t even bother.

Type—White Chinese

Lenny—Born 2025

Lenny is one of the few babies we kept this year that were Bertie and Fred crosses.

This boy, as you can see from his picture, takes after his father.

We think he’s going to be much taller than Bertie, and his nose is going to stay black. He looks nearly one hundred percent African.

He’s a very bright gander and from what I can tell, he’s going to give his brothers a run for their money during breeding season.

Type—African/Toulouse

Willow—Born 2025

We originally thought Willow was a boy. I might still be wrong since Willow is a giant. They tend to trick me. Giant Embdens are very sweet.

I was so happy when Willow hatched. Giants are so rare. There are only three breeders in the country. I’ll take Willow, girl or boy and keep the name. Willow is huge already. I can’t wait to see what she’ll look like in the fall.

She’s quiet, sweet, and gentle. Papa Goose’s granddaughter.

Type—Giant Embden Female

Arwen—Born 2025

I suspect Arwen has a tiny bit of blue in her which makes me think she might be Rachel and Ferris’ baby.

Ferris has a tiny bit of blue in him, too. Every molt, you see one or two small blue feathers pop up on his hip.

Rachel and Ferris are a more standard size of Embden, though they are still beauties and they likely still carry some of Papa Goose’s genes in there somewhere.

Leo is probably half giant. If he is the father there’s more genetic potential there.

Type—Embden Goose

Kai’s Flock

Kai, like most African and Chinese geese, is a very loud, very strong-willed gander. We knew right away that he was destined to be the leader of a flock. Kai was originally a part of the group of goslings we purchased and raised in 2024. When we lost most of the females that year, he migrated over to Gonzo’s flock and took over the group, determined to be a papa to the little brood of babies we were encouraging our more seasoned geese to raise.

The minute those new goslings entered the pen, he herded them into a corner, and they jumped on their new papa’s back, snuggling down between his wings. If they tried that now, they’d crush their papa. As you can see in this photo, they’ve outgrown him.

Though Kai is blind in one eye, that doesn’t stop him from doing his fatherly duty and watching over his little brood. He’s a very proud, strutting parent, and you’ll hear his loud call often if any of his adult children wander too far from his watchful gaze. Kai’s flock is all named after Greek gods and goddesses. Since we thought Kai was Chinese, we named him and his original mate after the Karate Kid reboot. He is Cobra Kai, and his late mate was Kumiko. Now we know he is actually African.

Kai—Bought 2024

Type—African

Gonzo—Born 2023

Type—Chinese/Splash Hybrid

Romulus—Born 2024

Type—Show Quality Buff

Remus—Born 2024

Type—Show Quality Buff

Leto—Bought 2025

Type—Brown Chinese

Atlas—Born 2025

Type—Giant Embden

Apollo—Bought 2025

Type—Embden

Athena—Born 2025

Type—Show Quality Buff

Persephone—Born 2025

Type—Blue Splash

Atlas—

Type—

Apollo—

Type—

Athena—

Type—