Copyright © Jan Harteman
Branta ruficollis
Dutch: Roodhalsgans
German: Rothalsgans
French: Bernache à cou roux
Red-breasted geese are one of the most attractive geese weighing only about three pounds. They breed in Siberia and like to nest by birds of prey like falcons which protect the geese from maruding predators such as foxes. They lay about 4-7 eggs on the ground and incubate them for about 25 days.The sexes are similar but the gander (male) is a bit heavier. They usually nest at three or four years of age if properly managed. I feed my Red-breasteds wheat, duck pellets, and cracked corn in the winter months and they also have plenty of fresh grasses available at all time. Geese should have fresh feed available all the time. The feed should contain about 15 percent protein in the non-breeding period and about 18-20 percent protein in the breeding season. Our geese have fresh running water that they swim and bath in all the time which is needed to keep them clean and healthy. These geese winter in Bulgaria,Romania, and other parts of Europe where they are endangered because of hunting and habitat destruction.
Thanks to Anatoliy Baranets (USA)
