How to distinguish a gander from a goose: external, behavioral and anatomical signs

Breeding geese today is one of the most profitable businesses. Not every novice poultry breeder knows how to distinguish a gander from a goose. And yet this is very important and in order to achieve the optimal ratio of females and males in the herd.

How to distinguish a gander from a goose by external signs

The photos of the separately taken different-sexed individuals of these waterfowl are almost identical. But when you compare the closely spaced males and females, you can catch the difference. Some species of geese have a pronounced lump at the base of the beak, it is larger in size than that of the geese. And in most females of this species it is completely absent. But, for example, the geese of Lind's breed do not have this distinctive sign.

Since the gander is distinguished from the goose of this species is quite difficult for an inexperienced poultry farmer, it is important to remember that males are usually much larger than females. And their weight is much greater. But since the gander can be distinguished from the goose by size and weight only in the herd where the goslings were brought up from childhood, and provided that everyone is healthy, this sign can not guarantee a 100% correct answer. After all, the appearance of some breeds of these waterfowl is almost the same. Well, how to distinguish a gander from a goose by external signs, the photo of which is almost a mirror image of each other?

"And give, my goose, voice!"

Almost all males and females of birds are distinguished by their "singing" or, more simply, by reproducible sounds. But even here gussevodov is disappointed. If the rooster crow does not get confused with the clucking of a chicken, then the cackling of geese and geese is also very similar. But experienced gusevody know how to distinguish a gander from a goose by ear. They argue that the voice of the male is coarser than that of the female, hoarse. Goose-ears are giggling a little longer, they are more pleasant to listen to.

You can guess the sex of the bird by walking

As it is quite difficult to distinguish a gander from a goose by external signs, many poultry farmers suggest doing this, relying on their habits. For example, the hint may be hidden in the gait of waterfowl. The geese stand proudly, occupy the predominant place in the herd. Goose prefers to follow the leader, not running ahead and not overtaking him.

If you carefully monitor your pets, you can note the fact that females even at a young age often sit down, as if showing fatigue. Gusaks also prefer to stand more, peering into the distance, as if carefully guarding their wards.

The fighting spirit of geese differs from goose

Another thing, if there are several geese in the herd. That's when the task for a gusevod is then the task! But even here experienced poultry breeders point to some important sexual behavioral traits.

Male geese, as in the whole animal world, are aggressive creatures, pugnacious. This is especially evident in the community where two or more males live side by side. Although sometimes geese do not mind showing their militant character.

Particularly fighting females become during hatching eggs and when it comes to protecting offspring. And sometimes it happens that suddenly either the gander or the goose will balk and do not want to take the geese that were taken out by another pair into a common family. The case can reach a fight in which the instigator may well become a female.

Anxiety and excitement will reveal the secrets of sex

And yet, at times, even the knowledge of all the above mentioned signs does not help the poultry farmers to distinguish the gander from the goose. It is especially difficult to do this at a very young age, when the weight and height of individuals varies little, but the voice has not yet taken shape.

In this case, as a hint, careful monitoring of young animals during a stressful situation can serve. It is not necessary, of course, to specifically frighten the birds, to make them worry for no reason. It is enough just to release the goslings into the water to swim. Joy is also strong enough emotions that birds will not fail to demonstrate.

So at the moment when the geese see a pond, they will immediately start expressing their excitement. And the female will begin to "bow" and giggle, and the males will stretch their necks horizontally and hiss. Similarly, geese behave at any age at the time of fright, excitement, ecstasy. Try to pass by the goose herd - immediately upon you will pay attention to the birds! And to distinguish the bowing geese from those who ran ahead and bravely militant gander who almost stretched their necks almost parallel to the earth, will not be difficult. Only it is unlikely that anyone will remain calm in this situation and will reasonably reason about the sex of one or another individual. Certainly in the head of the one against whom goose aggression is directed, only such questions will be beaten: how to be saved, how to get out of the most complicated situation with the least losses.

The main sexual characteristic of geese

There is one more, the most reliable and correct way of distinguishing females from males. It is extremely important for some breeds of geese, in which the above signs are less pronounced. For example, on the question of how to distinguish a gander from a goose of Lindovsky breed, it can be answered that only by the presence of a penis in a gander.

It should be known that this organ in geese is located in the cloaca - the outflow hole under the tail. It is almost impossible to see it, since it is coiled into a spiral and hidden inside. Therefore, for inspection you need to be able to open the cloaca of a goose. It is very important at this time not to injure the tender skin of the opening and the genital organ itself, therefore it is necessary to act with the utmost caution.

Will help to understand how to distinguish a gander from a goose, a photo of an inspection of a cloaca of a goose. The bird during the procedure should be turned to the back, holding his head so that she could not resist and pinch a person. Then very gently with the thumb and forefinger spread the cloaca. If the curl is curled into the spiral inside, then the examined individual belongs to the males. Similarly, it should be assumed that the absence of this indicates that this individual, rather, a goose, rather than a gander.