Goose lovers – please help!!

[Marty1876]

Iain, I can't even imagine what those geese are thinking about all the cold and snow, must be something of a surprise for some. The last time we had snow so deep a duck would have issues, I was 7. We count ourselves shocked if we get 4-6". A foot?!

Just two hours North and East of me, they do get 6-10", but I'm on the prontporch of the flint hills. Its a hilly area that was mountains eons ago. The waves of grasses blow and blow for miles and miles and miles, all the way to the Rocky Mountains, a 16 hours drive from me. This constand South wind just blows the storms through so fast, that we almost never have severe snow. I get tired of the wind in winter, but I'm so used to days that always have 20 -60 mph gusty winds, that I don't really think about it, except when I'm wishing we could split your snow 50/50.

Well, I found out today their is a poultry show this weekend at the State Fair Grounds. I called the guy directly, and even though its past their "last registry date" he still allowed me to sign up the white africans for the show. We won't be on the program, but if they place, there will be offical pics. Since its this Saturday, and only 100 miles, we're gonna cruise over with the trio early in the morning, and see how they do. I'll be bathing them soon. Anyone ever shown geese in a show?

 

[psue]

Celtic, Sorry about your angke, thats a drag.

Iain, glad that Spirit is progressing so nicely! Hopefully you'll have enough nice breaks for her to be outdoors a bit too.

PSue, did you have to go break ice this morning? I did. Brr! Then, a 40 mile round trip to drop little DD off for a play day with a friend. In a VW that has NO heat and lots of airvents. It was a balmy 25 this morning. My toes are still cold.

Triplell, glad those geese are filling out good. Good thinking to get the warmers going. I need to go get another one. My appears to have broken.

Yes Marty... Ice and more Ice.... I got water into their pool and let everyone out in the yard this morning had to give the rabbits unfrozen water and break ice for everyone else... went back out about 11 and dumped and refilled everything. Luckly the sun had worked it's magic by then and the ice slid out of the buckets. 40 mile play date trip

Marty, that sounds so cold!! I woke up to 3F temp.... was a whopping 10F when I went outside. Water was so frozen I brought out buckets and filled them, rather than try to undig & dump kiddy pools. It's warming up fast so I hope to get the pools dealt with this afternoon.

Brr Janet.... and I thought it was cold here this morning

I love all of the pics!! Hope everyone keeps them coming!! Anyone heard from Krafty Ladies, Abacus, Berner Babe, Jen C, or Lightning?? I would love to see new pics from them, too!

Hubby refused to help me pull parts and/or work on truck today. He said it can wait until Thursday when the highs will be in 40s instead of 20s. I guess I cannot blame him, but that means shipping will now be scheduled for next Monday. Sorry!

By the way... I forgot to mention it before, but Spirit is 6 months old today.

Happy 1/2 Birthday Spirit!

cant believe she is 6 months already.

Now why doesnt iain want to work on the truck in the cold?

Monday is good, hopefully they dont hit any glitches or delays due to the holiday next week. Will have to make it work though. All of you are winter prepping and we are full swing breeding season prep here. Not a bird on property who doesnt know what is right around the corner. We have breeding going on everywhere so Dec 1 is separation weekend once and for all. Even the Buff Dewlaps are breeding regularly at this point. Of course Valkarie thinks he is a stud with all of these girls right now lol.

Currently 6 weeks out before I expect first Sebastopols eggs.

Wow breeding season is that close

. I'm keeping ours divided as of the !st of Dec. more to teach them who goes where then anything else at this point. I've gotta rotate who gets to go out when this winter.

Love the pictures Shelly and Janet.....

 

[psue]

Iain, I can't even imagine what those geese are thinking about all the cold and snow, must be something of a surprise for some. The last time we had snow so deep a duck would have issues, I was 7. We count ourselves shocked if we get 4-6". A foot?!

Just two hours North and East of me, they do get 6-10", but I'm on the prontporch of the flint hills. Its a hilly area that was mountains eons ago. The waves of grasses blow and blow for miles and miles and miles, all the way to the Rocky Mountains, a 16 hours drive from me. This constand South wind just blows the storms through so fast, that we almost never have severe snow. I get tired of the wind in winter, but I'm so used to days that always have 20 -60 mph gusty winds, that I don't really think about it, except when I'm wishing we could split your snow 50/50.

Well, I found out today their is a poultry show this weekend at the State Fair Grounds. I called the guy directly, and even though its past their "last registry date" he still allowed me to sign up the white africans for the show. We won't be on the program, but if they place, there will be offical pics. Since its this Saturday, and only 100 miles, we're gonna cruise over with the trio early in the morning, and see how they do. I'll be bathing them soon. Anyone ever shown geese in a show?

Wow.. Good Luck!

 

[Triplell]

Yes keep us updated and send lots of pics!!! Good luck!!!!!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Paula, yours likely isnt that close at all. You most likely have till February. here we gear up a good 6-8 weeks before most others ever do. I separate 30 days before I expect first egg so they are from known parents.


Janet thats far too much snow. Watch the knob geese with the severe cold. According to OregonBlues they get frostbite very easily on those knobs if not provided lots of shelter in cold winter regions.

Marty good luck with the show. Isolate the whites into a clean area. Give them a clean pool and let them do the bathing. Have a bucket and rags available for wipe downs as needed after driving them over. Dont forget your food and something to carry water in so you can keep their coop cups filled.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Iain, I can't even imagine what those geese are thinking about all the cold and snow, must be something of a surprise for some. The last time we had snow so deep a duck would have issues, I was 7. We count ourselves shocked if we get 4-6". A foot?!

Just two hours North and East of me, they do get 6-10", but I'm on the prontporch of the flint hills. Its a hilly area that was mountains eons ago. The waves of grasses blow and blow for miles and miles and miles, all the way to the Rocky Mountains, a 16 hours drive from me. This constand South wind just blows the storms through so fast, that we almost never have severe snow. I get tired of the wind in winter, but I'm so used to days that always have 20 -60 mph gusty winds, that I don't really think about it, except when I'm wishing we could split your snow 50/50.

Well, I found out today their is a poultry show this weekend at the State Fair Grounds. I called the guy directly, and even though its past their "last registry date" he still allowed me to sign up the white africans for the show. We won't be on the program, but if they place, there will be offical pics. Since its this Saturday, and only 100 miles, we're gonna cruise over with the trio early in the morning, and see how they do. I'll be bathing them soon. Anyone ever shown geese in a show?

Exciting Marty, they are so gorgeous I bet you come home with ribbons. Remember Bio security.

 

[Iain Utah]

Triplell, thanks! We love having the stream on property.

Sue, cold is cold. Breaking ice and freezing hands are no fun!

Marty, our last place was in an exposed section of canyon and it was always windy. The constant wind drove me nuts. I'll take heavy snow over wind any day. Good luck with the africans at the show!!! I can't wait to hear all about it. Take lots of pics too!! And X2 what Lydia said... I always worry bringing my pets into public places where they may be exposed to illnesses from other people's animals.

Shellie, I have read about frost-bite issues and hope my guys will be ok. I will keep a close eye on them, but hope and believe that Alpha is a good leader and will keep them safe and as warm as possible. The ducks, on the other hand, looked pretty miserable so we will make a point to get them into the coop at night.

 

[BernerBabe]

I took some pics of the flock today and got some of Dually. He's doing great!

 

[Iain Utah]

Berner, I love the pics of Dually, especially the 1st one! He looks awesome!!

 

[Iain Utah]

We have returned from Spirit's follow-up exam. Dr. Echols is very pleased with progress. The wounds are healing well, vitals are good, and no sign of infection. The vertical pin under skin on upper half of leg has moved up towards hip about 1/4", which Dr. Echols expected, but warned that he may have to tap it back down on next visit (in 2 weeks) if it continues to move. At least the inner horizontal pins are not digging into belly area as was also a concern of his. Dr. Echols was extremely surprised to see good muscle flexion in foot as he believed Spirit would not regain any foot flexion. He was also encouraged to see the use of the knee joint to place foot underneath body and take some of the weight off of good leg.

Here's the biggest news of all. I was right about Spirit being a BOY!!! DNA results confirmed male when 2 different experienced avian vets vent sexed Spirit as female. I just knew it and am so glad to have spent the extra money to get the dna test done. It is no big surprise Spirit was not happy to have Tank in the room, but loves Ember. I expect Spirit and Ember to be mates for life.

As we were finishing up visit, we were hanging out in lobby area when a little girl came out of exam room (with Mom) and their dogs. The little girl was fascinated with Spirit and Spirit was the ultimate goose ambassador sweetly allowing her to pet him and otherwise be all up in his face. It was sooooo cute!