Found these guys today - they beat me to it

[Ozchicken]

I usually steal the goose eggs and put them in the incubator. It's easier for me to rear them, than to leave them with the goose as we have eels in the dam and the crows also get them. This time I knew she was sitting, but I left it too long. I found seven goslings today. I put the remaining eggs in the incubator as the mother had abandoned them.

Dad is pretty protective as well.

Both parents are smooth breast sebastopols so the goslings will be similar I think. I have some curly breasted pairs as well and one of those geese is sitting as well.

 

[sonew123]

oh how exciting and beautiful!!!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Eels eat goslings? Do they shriek as well?

 

[duck walk]

Oh they are so pretty...don't you just love those wagging goose tongues when they are hissing?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
they are beautiful and those goslings are precious.. aren't you glad your able to see this? Congrats..

 

[chicmom]

Wow, those are really awesome pictures! Shows how beautiful and protective the new parents are!

Thanks for sharing, and I hope the babies will be OK,
Sharon

 

[Ozchicken]

No shrieking eels here, but they do nab the goslings. When the birds are swimming along in a bunch, you just suddenly see a goslings go under and that's it. The eels are about a metre long and about 25cm around. They are ugly and awful. I've tried catching them to get rid of them, but they just come back next wet season anyway.

I have gotten a tractor with an open bottom and lifted it up and carefully placed it over the nest. So they are safe for the moment.

They are the loveliest things.

 

[rancher hicks]

Some surprises are just so cute aren't they.

Love you guys in Australia,

Rancher

 

[Ozchicken]

Here's a couple from last Spring:

And one of those just a few months later. Geese grow SO fast:

 

[desertdarlene]

Those are cute! Congrats on the little babies. I love how dad is helping with their defense. I just hope they keep the predators away.