2020 Gosling Hatch-A-Long

[Miss Lydia]

Awesome Congrats on the little one!

 

[ColtHandorf]

Well we are down to six goslings. It's completely my fault and I felt horrible about it yesterday afternoon. The babies obviously can't get into the pool Georgia and Golly use so I'd been keeping that full. They have a large black rubber feed bowl that I'd been putting water in for ages. It's also really tall and the babies haven't messed with it. As the puddles in the yard were drying up yesterday I suppose the parents decided to go drink actual clean water. The babies must have climbed up onto the roots of the tree to jump in and play. It's been in the 60's during the day with lows in the 40's at night with a very stiff wind. Apparently four of them got in the rubber bowl and couldn't get out while I was at the vet with one of the dogs. After work I went out to check on the Orpingtons and just happened to notice three very chilled baby geese peering at me out of the bowl. I went running in there to pull them out. Mind you Georgia and Golly were halfway across the yard with the three that weren't trapped. When they heard distressed peeping and saw I had them in my hand it was like that scene in The Lost World, "Mommy's very angry..."

So I'm trying to fend the parents off while getting the babies out into the sun to warm up. When I pulled the one out that had chilled and drowned I honestly thought I was going to have to climb up on the chicken tractor to escape from them. They were furious.

Anyway, lesson learned. No water at all that isn't in a waterer for the babies until they are older. The parents of course, are mega annoyed that their pool is empty, but they'll just have to get over it. At least until it warms up.

 

[CindyinSD]

I'm so sorry. Such good news though, that you were able to save the rest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry. How are the 3 you saved doing?

 

[ColtHandorf]

I am so sorry. How are the 3 you saved doing?

Two of the three were just really cold and wet but could still scream and stumble around which only fueled the goose rage and indignation that I dare touch them. The third one couldn't get its legs under it at all and after a minute or two of watching it in the sun I took it inside and put it under a heat lamp, much to the five-day old Orpington chicks' dismay. They were huddled up staring at the giant intruder under the light. After about thirty minutes or so he warmed up enough to start terrorizing the chicks so out he went. As soon as the little fart saw his parents he started shrieking and flapping. It was like a baby alligator calling in distress so that any adult in the area responds with a full-fledged attack whether they are related or not. Thankfully they were too far out in the yard to beat me to the gate, but the reunion went something like this...

Everyone is doing great this morning.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve never laughed so hard. That’s hysterical. Glad you made it out in one piece!

 

[ColtHandorf]

They are pretty hysterical. It's super windy and cold today, so I'm glad they don't really have any water or mud to play in. I think it's going to start raining this weekend and all next week though, so I just hope that they keep them warm and dry enough. I don't think they'll take too kindly to me chasing them around to confiscate and put in the house. At least they've gotten big enough they can't go through the fence anymore. It's such a relief to be able to lock them up in the pen and them actually stay there.

 

[prex]

Hi all,
I wanted to pop in and share my results for the season. I set 6 dewlap Toulouse and 2 Sebastopol eggs. Six babies arrived starting on 3/28. I had 100% fertility but lost one Toulouse towards the end and one Sebastopol who hatched too early.

The babies were lovely - so personable and they thrived, growing like weeds. I had to send all of them to new homes due to my current living situation. It was upsetting to let them go, especially the first-hatched who imprinted on me strongly. Nevertheless I am grateful for the experience and I look forward to hatching more in the future at a time when I can keep them. Geese are such marvelous animals, and these two breeds are very special to me.

Thankfully I am starting a large batch of silkie eggs shortly so I’ll have something to fill the void. Until the next time I’ve got lovely memories. I hope you’re all well and you’re enjoying your little ones.

 

[Phillisy]

My first Sebastopol baby of the season (and ever!) is in the air cell this morning and talking away due day is on the 20th!

Unfortunately this is the only egg that was fertile in the group I set, so the next batch isn’t due for 10 days, but it will have (possibly) 8 new ducklings, and 6 older ones to hang out with for awhile.

 

[Gray Farms]

One more today