Why can't farm geese fly???

Henro · May 14, 2005

Why can\'t farm geese fly???

We have had a few different geese over the years. Some are the more standard farm types, white or gray, and others have been the Chinese type with the knob on their head.

Flying does not seem to come naturally to them. They do flap their wings if they need to run as fast as they can...and I have seen them glide on occasion...

But a 2' fence will keep them contained, and if they want to go to the other side they just don't seen to realize they have wings and it should be a very simple task to do so.

Why can't farm geese fly? I got the question but sure don't know where to find the answer! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I guess common sense should tell me that geese that could fly would not be what farmers would want, and more than they would cows with wings. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So the flying ability must have been bread out of them over the years (decades, centuries) right?

Bob_Skurka · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Henro, I don't know. But as a turkey hunter I did learn why farm turkeys can't fly. Because they have been bred to increase their breast size for meat production to a point that they are too bulky in the chest to fly. I wonder if something similar to that is the answer to your question? Or maybe they are just stupid?

Jimbrown · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Wel some of them can. My Dad had two white ones I do not know what breed but those suckers could fly. He used to go out in the pasture and they would take off and fly big circles all around him.

Egon · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

As stated; bred for meat not flying.

Many years ago we raised turkeys that could fly well enough to be able to roost in the trees. These were a breed not to distant from the wild variety.

Egon

Glenn9643 · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

I don't know about ALL, but I think it's a common practice to clip their wings if you don't want them to fly.
Geese were common on farms years ago and were helpful in weeding grass from gardens and crops, as well as raising a racket if there was an intruder.

EastTexFrank · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

( more than they would cows with wings )

I have no idea what the answer is to your question but can you imagine the damage flying cows could do when they unload from a 100', all over your bright, shiny, new pick-up. Now that would splatter all over the windshield ... and the hood ... and the roof ... and the bed. OK. I'll stop. I'm sure you get the idea.

Henro, it must be another slow day in PA. Usually when you come up with these deep philosophical questions, the weather is bad and you are stuck inside. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hope it clears up soon.

thcri · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

(
Henro, it must be another slow day in PA. Usually when you come up with these deep philosophical questions, the weather is bad and you are stuck inside. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hope it clears up soon. )

Actuallly I did talk to Henro this morning. He was telling me was enjoying a cup of coffee and watching a much needed rain. So yes he did have some time to get philosophical?? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And as far as cows flying. They can /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Did you ever watch the movie called twister. They had cows that could fly along with IH Combines and they even had one of Rockyridge's John Deeres flying. Just like his signature but only older.

murph /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

edski · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

( We have had a few different geese over the years. Some are the more standard farm types, white or gray, and others have been the Chinese type with the knob on their head. )

This may be a stupid question, but are these purchased geese?
I'm assuming yes, otherwise the question is...why did they walk to your farm? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Really, I'm not trying to crack wise with you. We get canada geese on our pond, but flight for them is no problem, although the landings can be entertaining.

While I am answering my own questions, (and not being helpful to you at all), why do you have geese. Pets, produce, entertainment? Just curious.

hitekcountry · May 14, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Cows with wings? No its the Buffalo that have wings. Yep I know that fur a fak cuz I’ve eaten um. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif It’s tru /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Henro · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Thanks to everyone for the insight! I guess it should have been obvious that "domestic" geese have bodies larger than wild geese like Canada geese do. Makes sense that they would find it much more of a chore to lift off.

We've had a few geese for about 20 years. Never clipped a wing. The longest time resident is over 15 years old now and was actually one of four that were mail ordered from someone (forget where) and arrived shortly after being hatched.

Attached is a photo of the geese that spurred this question. The one with the knob is the old guy (who might even be 17). They are also responsible for the next question as well:

How come sumo wrestlers don't skydive? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bob_Skurka · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

 How come sumo wrestlers don't skydive? 

Other than the obvious problem of getting the jump plane off the ground in the first place, I think it would just be too darn frightening for the folks on the ground to look and see a big man in a diaper coming in for a landing.

Dozernut · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Sumo wrestlers don't sky dive due to their body mass. The large body of the Sumo has too much wind resistance, thus slowing their descent. This makes the sport too boring for them, as they float down like a cherry blossum petal, plus it makes them dizzy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rockinmywaypa · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

All this talk of no-fly geese turkeys etc put me in mind of that episode of WKRP in cinncinati in which Carlson dropped live turkeys from a helicopter and Les Nessman was reporting. It cracked me up.

AndyM · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

 All this talk of no-fly geese turkeys etc put me in mind of that episode of WKRP in cinncinati in which Carlson dropped live turkeys from a helicopter and Les Nessman was reporting. 

And all of the talk about sumo skydivers also reminds you of that episode!
That was probably the funniest single episode of a television show ever...

Les: It's a helicopter, and it's coming this way. It's flying something behind it, I can't quite make it out, it's a large banner and it says, uh - Happy... Thaaaaanksss... giving! ... From... W.... ... K... ... R... ... P!!

Les: No parachutes yet. Can't be skydivers... I can't tell just yet what they are, but - Oh my God, Johnny, they're turkeys!! Johnny, can you get this? Oh, they're plunging to the earth right in front of our eyes! One just went through the windshield of a parked car! Oh, the humanity! The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement! Not since the Hindenberg tragedy has there been anything like this!

Johnny: Les? Are you there? Les isn't there. (composing himself) Thanks for that on-the-spot report, Les, and for those of you who just tuned in, the Pinedale Shopping Mall has just been bombed with live turkeys. Film at eleven.

And finally, the classic line...

Mr Carlson: As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Durbob · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

( All this talk of no-fly geese turkeys etc put me in mind of that episode of WKRP in cinncinati in which Carlson dropped live turkeys from a helicopter and Les Nessman was reporting. 

And all of the talk about sumo skydivers too!
That was probably the funniest single episode of a television show ever...

Les: It's a helicopter, and it's coming this way. It's flying something behind it, I can't quite make it out, it's a large banner and it says, uh - Happy... Thaaaaanksss... giving! ... From... W.... ... K... ... R... ... P!!

Les: No parachutes yet. Can't be skydivers... I can't tell just yet what they are, but - Oh my God, Johnny, they're turkeys!! Johnny, can you get this? Oh, they're plunging to the earth right in front of our eyes! One just went through the windshield of a parked car! Oh, the humanity! The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement! Not since the Hindenberg tragedy has there been anything like this!

Johnny: Les? Are you there? Les isn't there. (composing himself) Thanks for that on-the-spot report, Les, and for those of you who just tuned in, the Pinedale Shopping Mall has just been bombed with live turkeys. Film at eleven.

And finally, the classic line...

Mr Carlson: As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

)

I loved that episode! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dur

thcri · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Why can't Nick and Night replay them episodes. Or anyone else for that fact. I have not seen a rerun of WKRP in 15 years.

murph

AndyM · May 15, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

 I have not seen a rerun of WKRP in 15 years.


At the risk of totally hijacking Henro's thread, I'm not a big television watcher, but I would love to see all of those WKRP episodes again (all 90 of them!).

Here's a link to a mp3 of the entire turkey drop...
"Turkey Drop"

Also at that website are clips of Venus Flytrap's famous "Atom Lesson", where he teaches the cleaning lady's son the importance of staying in school.

These and more at http://www.littleshopofvoices.com/wkrpwavs.html

cchoate · Jun 6, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

I have a large waterfowl farm with many breeds of geese and ducks. The geese in your picture are chinese (knob on head) and a Gray saddleback.
Geese have been domesticated to the point where they are to heavy to fly. I have a Gray Toulouse that weighs 40 lbs. When he walks the ground shakes.

Jeffintheburg · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Why can\'t farm geese fly???

Reminds me of that poem...

Birdy, Birdy in the sky.
Why did you do that in my eye.
Do not worry, I wont cry.
Im just glad that cows don't fly.