Community nest UPDATE - goslings several days old

[Shiloh Acres]

Just wanted to report a LITTLE progress on the community nesting fiasco.

Dominant goose is now building a nest IN THEIR COOP and has what appear to be four eggs. I am not gonna try to crawl in there so I can count!!!

And someone (probably #4-ish goose, a Toulouse that the ganders don't even care enough to fight over but they DO all breed her) has started depositing a few eggs out in the open. Not an ideal spot, to be sure, and I cover the nest at night so the llama doesn't step in it. There are two eggs there so far, that are otherwise pretty neglected. One cold night she didn't even bother to put leaves over them, but just in case I've been making sure they were getting turned and protected from the llama.

I'm still turning my extra eggs in the house too, and I guess I'll slip them into the nest of whoever goes broody first. Which I'm afraid is going to be the alpha goose in the coop, so ... I may have to hire reinforcements LOL.

At least I don't have a half-dozen birds all fighting over the same nest, though the two broodies are still on it. I'll have to see how it plays out.

I'd considered keeping a few goslings as breeders, but at this point I think I can have a good enough hatch next year from my current birds, if all goes well. I don't want more than the pasture can support, though I'm hoping to have a fallow acre plowed soon and try putting it to pasture grasses. Doing the best I can on a smallish place.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Well the goslings of the first community nest have hatched. Abysmal hatching rate -- there were 24 eggs, seven hatched and one died when almost out of the shell. Another one died its first day.

The remaining six goslings are several days old. I penned the nest, the two geese who sat the nest diligently, and low-man Pilgrim gander away from the rest of the flock so the dominant goose couldn't come in and yell at them every day. Pilgrim daddy spent the broody nights protecting the girls, but climbed the 4' fence every morning to take a swim and join the others who were cooped. The last day he did that was before the eggs hatched. As I expected and hoped, he is taking the role of Daddy very seriously.

So far the geese are fine. The Pilgrim spent an extra day and a half brooding, but no more eggs hatched. The three adults escort and care for the goslings together and no problems so far. I HOPE if it were going to be an issue, it already would be.

The two top-ranked ganders, especially number two, and the top-ranked goose are VERY interested. In fact, she's not setting well, but then again she never did. She has started and abandoned three nests and only wants the Lowest-ranking Toulouse's nest and only when she wants it. She better straighten up next year or I won't have a use for her nor want to keep her offspring.

The goslings often squeeze out and hang out with the other geese. The parents get a bit loud when they do, but the other geese care for them just as the parents do, sitting with them, watching the sky, guarding them, and taking them to grass.

I hope all will be well with this batch.

The Toulouse is setting on another 24 eggs. I'm concerned for when her eggs hatch (and hoping they do!). My plan is to fence off the Toulouse with gander #2 since they have the best parental instincts, IMO, and I will remove the other geese to their own pens if nesting or prinsult back to the pasture if not, if they can get along with the goats again. I have fencing and barrels ready.

Coyotes howling again, lots of them tonight. Going to turn on some lights and radios. Everyone is secure but I still worry.

 

[JROOSTER]

Thanks for posting this I enjoyed hearing about your babies.

 

[animaladdictions]

I love your goose stories! Sounds like its never a dull moment at your place. Good luck with everything! Keep us posted on any new goosie antics!

Sorry if this post looks weird. Im having to use my old cheezy phone. %)