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All About
Toulouse Geese
This breed
originates around the region of Toulouse in France. The
Toulouse Goose is one of the more popular breeds of gray
goose, and it is not difficult to see why. Not only are
Toulouse Geese beautifully colored and large, but they
are also quite docile.
Relatively
quiet, slow moving birds, Toulouse Geese can best be
described as docile and stately. They often do well even
when kept with other species of birds. A beautiful
accent to any yard, Toulouse Geese are normally calm and
can be kept in groups.
Toulouse
Geese are generally seen in two forms. The show form, or Dewlap form, of
Toulouse Goose is larger, often weighing 25 to 30
pounds. It has a large dewlap and a deep keel. The
other, more common form of Toulouse Goose lacks this
dewlap and usually weighs less than 20 pounds. All Toulouse
Geese are gray. Their backs are a darker shade, over
lighter gray plumage, and their undersides are pure
white. The bills of Toulouse Geese are bright orange, as
are their legs.
Get to Know
Your Predators:
Raccoon
The raccoon is one of the best known and most easily recognized
mammals in our region. They are very adaptable and intelligent
animals, capable of living in close proximity to humans.
An
average specimen of the raccoon is 32 inches long including the tail
and weighs 11 to 18 pounds. In the northern part of their range
raccoons may weigh as much as 33 pounds. Male raccoons are generally
larger than the females.
The fur is relatively long with an overall coloration of grizzled
gray to brownish black. The most distinctive features of the raccoon
are the black-ringed tail and the blackish coloration on the front
of the face which resembles a bandit's mask.
A
raccoon typically attacks birds by biting the head or upper neck
area. The heads of adult birds are usually bitten off and left some
distance from the body. The crop and breast may be torn and chewed
and the entrails eaten. Raccoons have been known to mutilate poultry
in cages by pulling heads or legs off. Several kills may be made
during a single night raid with part of one or more carcasses fed
upon. Dead fowl may be at the kill site or dragged several yards
away. Raccoons are also serious predators of wild bird populations.
Reports indicate that raccoons have been responsible for eliminating
local populations of some nesting waterfowl.
The information above was obtained from
Backyardchickens.com.
Recommended
Reading*
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Ordering Information
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Earthquack!
By Margie
Palatini
Henny Penny's
sky-is-falling tale has been retold often enough that few probably
even remember its source material--but that doesn't stop another
retread, this one surprisingly conservative in its story-telling
liberties, by Margie Palatini (The Web Files) and dignified
illustrator Barry Moser.
Earthshaking
rumblings make for a skittish duckling (and other nervous farm
animals) in this somewhat long-winded variation on the Henny Penny
theme. After completing his morning laps, a jittery Chucky Ducky
fervently attempts to warn the other skeptical and pun-fully named
animals (e.g., Lucy Goosey, Sue Ewe, Billy the kid) of what he's
sure is an earthquake (He heard the ground grumble. He felt the
ground rumble). Oh, it can't be that baa-ad, retort the lambs while
the pig grunts, Hogwash! Several lengthy episodes of earth crumbling
and animal tumbling pass before a hungry weasel (sporting a white
coat and masquerading as Herman Ermine) provides a refreshing detour
and real tension to the story.
Moser's realistic
watercolors play up the climax, as they place the large, expressive
characters front and center against mostly white backdrops that
darken when the lip-licking weasel hits the scene.
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For
our full recommended reading list, click
here. If you order from
Amazon by way of our website, Majestic receives a
portion of the proceeds!
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Reader Poll
#31
Question:
Which part of the Majestic Monthly do you most often read
first?
Results of Reader Poll #30 Question:
Which are funnier to watch, ducks or geese?
Contact Us
Majestic Waterfowl
Sanctuary
17 Barker Road
Lebanon, CT 06249
director@majesticwaterfowl.org
Our Newsletter
The Majestic Monthly is published 12 times per year.
Previous issues are available in our
Archives.
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Breaking Ground on
Louisville
Thanks to your generous donations, we have
broken ground on Louisville! The underground fencing for this
pen has been placed 4 feet down into the ground. Construction on
the structure itself will take place in July, and we hope to
have it complete and useable by early August.
More funds are needed to complete this
project, so if you have not donated, please consider doing so—we
really need your help! If we have helped you with your flock,
consider returning the favor by helping the ducks and geese here
as well as those waiting for enough space to come into our
sanctuary. We are a do-it-yourself team here at Majestic, which
means even the smallest donation goes a long way.
The Refilling
of Pekin Pond
Neighboring Louisville is Pekin Pond, and
we are happy to announce it is a pond once again! The pond bed
has been empty for years. The stream that once fed and filled
this basin had slowly carved out a more direct path down the
property that left the pond to dry up and become overgrown with
brush and trees. We have worked on clearing the pond bed for
nearly a year in order to bring it back to life. While we had
the excavator on hand for Louisville, we used it to set the
stream back to its original bed again. Pekin Pond is now full
and beautiful once more!
If you
would like to help breathe life back into Pekin Pond, consider
making a plant donation. We can really use some plants to
naturalize the waterscape: hardy water lilies, hardy lotus,
pampas grass, bamboo, rice and cattails are some great ideas. If
you live locally and can bring any of these items by, just send
us an email and let us know when you would like to stop in for a
visit. If you don’t live locally and would like to donate pond
plants, you can order plants from William Tricker Inc:
www.tricker.com. All plants donated must be
non-toxic, perennial and must be hardy enough to survive our
Zone 6 winters. Thank you!
Special Thanks
We would like to extend a special thank you
to Sean and Jeff for coming out again to volunteer. With their
help we were able to complete the installation of our patio
misting system, which cools the waterfowl in The Courtyard. Next
time we promise not to step on your fingers while you hold the
ladder—sorry! Thank you for your continued generosity and
support and for taking us out to dinner. You are too kind for
words.
Happy Birthday, Jeff!
Special Thanks
IIWe would
also like to extend an extra special thank you to Richard.
Richard just celebrated a birthday as well, and in lieu of
accepting gifts from his family and friends, he asked that
donations be made towards our sanctuary. Richard came to the
sanctuary with his family to personally present us with a check
for $200!
Richard, it is a very
rare person who gives so selflessly, especially at your age. We
are astounded by your generosity and thoughtfulness. It was such
a pleasure meeting you and your family. We hope you enjoyed the
tour of our sanctuary. Thank you most sincerely, and do come
again.
Geese and Home
SecurityGuard geese are
snapping at the heels of would-be burglars across back yards as
home owners embrace them as family pets. Famous for saving the
Roman Empire from a surprise attack by the Gauls in 365 BC,
geese are still helping to patrol properties today.
Some sources say that
if you have a goose in your yard rather than a dog a robbery is
less likely to occur in your home. Why? Potential invaders know
that geese are likely to sound the alarm and because they are
notoriously known to attack trespassers. Deafening shrills and
the threat of attack by territorial geese that can weigh up to
26 lbs. and have bills like serrated-edged knives is threat
enough to keep some trouble at bay.
The alarm a goose
sounds is very different from its other calls. It is loud and
piercing. While neighbors may ignore a barking dog, they are
likely to look out the window when they hear this distinctive
alarm.
Majestic Geese
Need Homes
We need wonderful homes for our rescued geese! We have six at
Majestic and two more waiting for enough room at our sanctuary
to come in. All of them need homes with swimming accommodations,
fenced in yards and a nighttime lock up for safe sleeping.
If you are interested
in adopting a pair of geese from us, it is important to
understand that when you arrive at the sanctuary they will sound
the alarm at you! You will not be able to witness the level of
interaction we experience with them because you are unknown to
them. Geese are not very trusting of strangers, but don’t worry;
you will soon establish a similar relationship with them once
they are in their new home with you. Changes in their demeanor
are evident within the first couple weeks of ownership. As with
many animals, this relationship continually improves with time,
routine and commitment to their care.
Tutter and
Angelo: Toulouse Ganders
 These two boys are
very interactive and extend a loud greeting when they see humans
approaching! Tutter runs up to greet us with Angelo right behind
him. When we move around the outside of their pen, both boys
follow us along the fence line. Tutter allows some petting once
you earn his trust, while Angelo stands back a foot or two and
observes. Both boys love interactive play. One of their favorite
pastimes is snorkeling in colored cups of water. These are high
energy geese who would do better in a home without small
children. Tutter & Angelo are happy to swim in a kiddie pool or
two.
Ali and
Chan: Pilgrim Gander and White China Gander
 These two boys are a
bit naughty—but so completely wonderful! They are very smart and
learn a new routine within a day or two. They will go wherever
you guide them. If we have lettuce treats Chan will come very
close, but has not quite succumbed to eating out of our hands
yet. Ali is a jealous protector of his best pal Chan, and
watches humans very closely to be sure his friend is safe. These
big, beautiful boys both prefer to move away from humans when
approached rather than attack, but if cornered, both will hiss
and Ali may charge. If we call Ali’s bluff, and react by
charging at him, he will quickly back down and move away.
Ali & Chan need a home
with a family who are not-so-interested in close interaction
with them as they are in granting a few abandoned animals a
life-long place to stay. A true animal-lover would enjoy the
sight and sound of these gorgeous ganders. These geese tend to
only make noise when humans approach. They would do better in a
home without small children. They are low maintenance geese,
requesting very little of your attention outside of providing
them with their basic necessities. Ali & Chan require a minimum
of a small pond for swimming.
Bowie and
China Girl: Toulouse Gander and White China Goose
 Bowie and China girl
are very sweet and soft spoken. They do make some noise when
humans approach, but not as much as the others. They are
pleasant geese who are a bit shy, but will slowly come around to
your attention. Both are easy to herd and are quick learners.
Bowie will fluff his
feathers in display when he first meets you, but his threats
stop here. Once he gets to know you, he no longer does this.
China is just beginning to walk up and investigate us. China is
also an egg-layer. Both have shown the beginning of interest in
play activities and enjoy examining new and colorful objects
shown to them. These geese would work out well with a family
with small children. This pair is content to swim in a kiddie
pool or two.
If you are interest in
adopting any of these pairs of geese, please fill out our
online adoption application
and email us digital photos of your goose pen.
Waterfowl Art
Project: Jelly Bean Jar
Materials:
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Empty baby
food jar |
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Yellow paint |
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Jellybeans or
other candy |
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Easter grass
(optional) |
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1 large yellow
pom pom |
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2 small yellow
pom poms |
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1 piece each
of orange foam paper |
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1 piece of
yellow foam paper |
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2 Googley eyes |
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Small piece of
paper for sign for duck to hold (optional) |
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Glue |
Preparation:
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Paint the lid of
the jar yellow. Set aside to dry.
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Take the orange
foam and cut out an oval. Cut the oval in half short-ways
for the bill.
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Cut out 2 webbed
feet from the orange foam.
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Take the yellow
foam and cut out a rectangular shape with a notched end for
the duck's tail.
Directions:
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Fill the jar with
jellybeans and Easter grass. Screw on the lid.
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Turn the jar
upside down so it sits on the lid.
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Glue feet to the
underside of the lid.
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Glue tail on the
back of the jar, down near the lid.
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Glue a small,
yellow pom pom on each side of the jar for the wings.
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Glue the bill to
the large yellow pom pom and glue the whole thing to the top
of the jar for the head.
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Glue the googley
eyes to the head.
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Add a special note
to one of the duck's wings (optional)
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Breaking Ground on Louisville