GOOSE BREEDING THREAD - for breeding, incubating, hatching and rearing.

[EeyoreD]

I've thought of doing that too, good idea especially where no grass is available. My 2 would probably have it eaten down to a nub in about 5 mins. man can they put away the greens. lol

They really can! Good point. I guess if it came down to it, what I would probably do is get/make some trays the right size and just buy a big bag of feed oats and sprout those. You could have one in the brooder and two others in various stages of sprouting and just rotate them out.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They really can! Good point. I guess if it came down to it, what I would probably do is get/make some trays the right size and just buy a big bag of feed oats and sprout those. You could have one in the brooder and two others in various stages of sprouting and just rotate them out.

I tried the fodder last winter, you know I was surprised my flock wasn't that crazy about it, I used winter wheat and also wheat grass, but I think I will try again with fodder in the fall. I will also try sprouting again my chickens did like that. But as for grass so hard to find a good place to grow it here in these mountains so much rock and then the chickens scratch it up so I have taken to fencing off a small area and have planted some rye which didn't do so well too shady so now I have planted grass seed that's for shady areas, sure hope it comes up these goslings sure do love grass. Make me think of teenagers[boys] can't fill them up. lol

 

[EeyoreD]

Make me think of teenagers[boys] can't fill them up. lol

Seriously! I thought the adults grazed a ton but they take occasional breaks. The goslings graze constantly. I don't even think they sleep!

I tried the fodder the year before last with similar results. Admittedly it was midwinter and they only got about every other tray because the cat would eat it first or I would forget about it and it would dry out. Mine may have been confused by greenery in winter and I was never consistent enough to get them used to it. But it seems like it might be worth a try in a brooder with goslings.

I hear you on the grass. I've lived in mountains and that rock is just right below the surface. I'm not a whole lot better, I'm on mostly clay. And my grass is slowly being choked out by this awful creeping weed which, of course, NO ONE wants to eat. Picky little jerks.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Yes. But he seems to have calmed down. The one grazed the most on has a bare area on her wing and I need to put some ointment on it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes. But he seems to have calmed down. The one grazed the most on has a bare area on her wing and I need to put some ointment on it.

Do you ever use Bluee Kote? it's messy and the gosling will have purple feathers for a while but really does disguise and maybe it it looks different it won't look as inviting to graze on. Of course I usually have as much on me as they do before I'm through putting it on.

 

[EeyoreD]

Of course I usually have as much on me as they do before I'm through putting it on.

Homesteader Glitter.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Homesteader Glitter.

good one.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote: X2

Blue Kote is a good idea

 

[KWSRetMSgt]

Another update, photo taken June 19 2014 approx. 11:30 Hrs this to date is the "Whole Family"

Now the bad news, yesterday we lost a little one. She looked fine was a little smaller then the rest, just figured she was the last born. But yesterday she started having trouble keeping up with the flock and by lunch time I found her on her back in the run, I took her into the house to the Frau, and within 15 minutes or so she went to sleep. Then this morning I found another freshly born gosling in the nest also gone.
I'm fearing that these may have been the ones taking to long to hatch and then when they do, their so exhausted they have a VERY difficult time. My momma's still have 11 eggs under them and all feel like they have something inside (very heavy), so I'm guessing there's either dead goslings or goslings struggling trying to get out.
So in the long run they will still end up most likely dead.

But I can't complain so far I have;
Merc 3.5 weeks old
4 sibs 2.5 weeks old
8 sibs 6 - 4 days old
So for the first time I feel my girls did really well. I applaud Lacy & Macy and of course Casey, if he was only poking for fun non of this could have happened.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Another update, photo taken June 19 2014 approx. 11:30 Hrs this to date is the "Whole Family"

Now the bad news, yesterday we lost a little one. She looked fine was a little smaller then the rest, just figured she was the last born. But yesterday she started having trouble keeping up with the flock and by lunch time I found her on her back in the run, I took her into the house to the Frau, and within 15 minutes or so she went to sleep. Then this morning I found another freshly born gosling in the nest also gone.
I'm fearing that these may have been the ones taking to long to hatch and then when they do, their so exhausted they have a VERY difficult time. My momma's still have 11 eggs under them and all feel like they have something inside (very heavy), so I'm guessing there's either dead goslings or goslings struggling trying to get out.
So in the long run they will still end up most likely dead.

But I can't complain so far I have;
Merc 3.5 weeks old
4 sibs 2.5 weeks old
8 sibs 6 - 4 days old
So for the first time I feel my girls did really well. I applaud Lacy & Macy and of course Casey, if he was only poking for fun non of this could have happened.

Sorry for the loss of your lil ones, but yes those geese have done well this year. Congratulations.