Ross geese in flight in the arctic – photo by Walt Sturgeon
ROSS
GEESE
By Paul Dye
The lives of most Ross Geese begin in early July in the Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary area of Canada’s Nunavut Region (formerly part of the Northwest Territories), with much smaller numbers originating on Banks Island, near the McConnell River on the west side of Hudson Bay, and the Boas River delta of Southampton Island. The new goslings are polymorphic, ranging in color from yellow to gray. Shortly after the goslings hatch a number of Ross families band together for security as they move to nearby lakes and rivers. At times these combined family flocks can consist of hundreds of individuals. Considerably smaller than Snow geese, their size makes them somewhat easier prey for predators such as gulls, jaegers and arctic foxes, and studies have revealed an average loss of 42% by the time they’ve reached the southern end of their migration. Although no hunter harvest numbers could be found for this writing, some are certain to be taken en-route southbound incidental to the harvest of snow geese.
Ross geese in flight in the arctic – photo by Walt Sturgeon
The growth rate of Ross goslings is rapid and most are capable of flight at just five and a half weeks of age. They are among the earliest of geese to depart the arctic, with most on their way south by September.
Ross Geese wing their way south each fall to the central valley of California, Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, the Gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana, and northern Mexico. Good numbers have also been found among vast flocks of Snow Geese on the Great Plains. The occasional family group is seen among the lesser and greater snow geese wintering along the East Coast. The total population is conservatively estimated to be between 800,000 and 1,000,000, up from 5000 birds recorded in the early 1950’s.
Initially, upon their arrival on their wintering areas Ross are usually observed mingling and feeding with Snow Geese and White-fronted Geese. After a time they tend to leave the Snows and White-fronts to the grain fields, and instead seek out areas more suitable for grazing green food crops. They can usually be found in or near their respective wintering areas between the months of October and February or March, after which they begin their journey back north to their breeding areas.
Ross Geese are easily distinguishable from Snow Geese
in a number of ways. Most
obvious is their small size, some females can weigh as little as 2.5 pounds and
are not much larger than mallards. Their
reddish pink or purplish bill is shorter and lacks the obvious “grinning
patch” of Snow Geese. The bills
of both males and females often exhibit some warty bluish-colored protuberances
at the base, and their necks are more deeply furrowed than those of Snow geese.
In flight their wing beats are more rapid than those of Snows.
Researchers working on the nesting grounds have recorded rare occurrences of a blue color phase of the Ross goose. The weights, measurements and bill configuration of a few captured have revealed that they are dimensionally Ross geese. There is still considerable discussion between scientists over whether they are a genetic mutation of the Ross goose or the result of hybridization with the lesser snow goose. Eventually DNA analysis should clear up this mystery. About one in 10,000 Ross are of this blue phase.
A survey of researchers revealed that while some Ross geese nest at just two years of age, the majority do not initiate nesting until their third year. Their mean clutch size was reported to be between 3.6 to 4.0 eggs with an average interval of 1.5 days between eggs laid. The average incubation period was found to be 22 days with nest variables resulting in a range from 19 to 25 days. Nest initiation usually begins within a week of their arrival in the arctic in late May or early June.
The subtle beauty of a grazing flock of these bright white little geese, with their crossed black wing tips and their pink bills and legs is reason enough alone to want them in your collection. Add in their gentle cooing call and the competitive, but not vicious interaction of the ganders within their tight-knit flock and you’ll find them irresistible.
Captive management of Ross geese does not differ appreciably from that of the more common North American lesser or greater Snow goose races. If kept in a small flock (I recommend 3 pair or more) they nest readily, with reasonable fertility. Their feed needs are simple, in that while they relish fresh grass to graze, they subsist perfectly well on a diet of whole grains and prepared poultry rations. Of course, in spring, just prior to nesting season, I increase the protein content of their feed, as I do for most other species to about 20%.
Nest sites selected by Ross geese vary from secluded
locations in half barrels under shrubbery to some of the larger open-style nest
structures provided. These nest structures are approximately 30" wide by
30" high and 36" deep front-to-back, with a mostly open front. Only
the top and back are solid, as the sides are made either of 1" by 6"
lumber or half-rounds obtained from a local cedar mill. These boards are spaced
on the sides in a way to provide some privacy and protection from other
aggressive geese while still allowing the nesting pair the ability to monitor
their surroundings.
Into these structures I place a discarded automobile tire to contain the nest material. I then fill the center of the tire 2/3 full of sand and then 1/3 full of hay or cedar shavings.
Perhaps the biggest problem I’ve had with my nesting Ross geese is the loss of eggs to marauding crows. It seems that my captive Ross just don’t defend their nest site from predators like most other geese until the female has completed her clutch and begins incubation. I do my best to keep the crows at bay using the explosive cracker shells fired from a 12 gauge shotgun. It’s not 100% effective, but it helps.
As you may have concluded from the foregoing, I’m a big
advocate of natural incubation and brooding of most of my geese. There are
several reasons for this, but foremost among them is that I like the "end
product", young geese imprinted on their own species, with a well-taught
fear of avian predators, and a supportive "family group" that seems to
help keep stress related illnesses to a minimum. I’ve also observed a tendency
for parent-reared geese to usually search outside their own family for a future
mate, if the ability to make such a selection is available. To be honest,
another appealing reason for the natural approach is that it frees up more space
in my incubators and brooding facilities for many of my duck species that do
poorly when this method is used.
Once the family group has left the nest site they are
caught up and placed within a 4’ by 8’ portable pen within the larger
enclosure, and as close to the nest site as possible. This serves several
purposes; most importantly, it offers protection from avian predators,
especially Eagles, Crows and Great Horned Owls, which in my area can wipe out an
entire brood by harassing the parents until they get them on the run. Once the
family is on the move the predator can then get between the parents and the
goslings, and pick them off one-by-one. The enclosure offers a good method of
protecting the goslings from the effects of aggression by other geese, as well
any bacteria and parasites carried by flock members other than their own
parents. One of the real advantages of the portable 4’ X 8’ pens is that
they can be moved every few days to prevent them from getting too soiled, and to
provide a diet of fresh grass to graze.
Two primary health problems you need to watch out for when using this rearing method are gapeworm and coccidiosis. The young geese were probably exposed to these illnesses via the dropping of their own parents, whose immune systems were able to keep them in check. Neither of these maladies is a serious problem if treated early, so you need to be alert to the symptoms, as immune systems of the young geese have not yet developed to the point that they can handle these problems on their own. Gapeworm first manifests itself with head shaking and coughing or sneezing. It is usually easily treated with ivermectin, but remember to retreat in 9 or 10 days to eliminate any of the parasites that were still in the egg stage during the first treatment. Coccidiosis is often suspected when one or more of the young geese seem to be having trouble keeping up with its family due to weak legs. Apparently swelling of internal organs interferes with the nerves controlling leg movement. It is imperative to isolate the sick individual and start it immediately on one of the sulfur drugs, such as Bacitracin. I usually assume that the entire family has then been exposed and start them on a prophylactic treatment by adding Corid to their water for 5 days. As soon as the sick gosling is attempting to stand and walk, usually in 2 to 3 days of treatment, encourage exercise to prevent further muscle atrophy. You are its "physical therapist".
As soon as the young Ross geese are large enough to
keep up with their parents in the open pasture and are developing immune
systems, I like to let them return to the parent breeder flock. This usually
occurs when they are about two/thirds the size of the adults. At this point it
becomes really important to keep their stress levels down by being alert to
aggression by any other members of the flock.
Feed requirements for Ross geese are quite easy to satisfy. They do not require the extremely low protein feed used for the brant geese, and seem to thrive on most standard poultry or waterfowl feeds. Like most geese they relish fresh grass. I usually start young Ross on a diet of Purina Game Bird Startena, by presenting it in a shallow dish or pie pan next to the parents feed. Within the first two weeks they are sharing in the parents feed.
To repeat some of the comments I made at the beginning of this writing, Ross are a joy to have, primarily for their stark white beauty, their gently flocking nature, and their pleasant cooing sound.
I want to thank Walt Sturgeon for his editing assistance and up-to-date status information.
References:
Johnsgard, Paul A., Waterfowl of North America, 1975, ISBN 0-253-3636008
Todd, Frank S., Natural History of the Waterfowl, 1996, ISBN 0-934797-11-0
Sturgeon, Walter - verbal communication