Goose Questions

[SilkieStruck]

I was just wondering how Miss Nelson is these days!

I sure do feel for you trying to be her social circle in addition to the food/water/cleaning and needing to have moments of your day that aren't consumed by gosling care! My Sebs (a male and a female) hatched right after Miss Nelson did, and I would be going nuts if they didn't have each other. They typically do the crazy scream when I first leave the room, but although they are very imprinted on me (and also my husband) and would prefer to be RIGHT with us, they are okay when I leave them in their (indoor) pen. Usually they are just making quiet trill noises, with some liberal sprinkling of hollers for more grass or attention. They have a teddy bear they apparently imprinted on as well (and I thought imprinting only happened with the first MOVING objects they see after they hatch!). When I took it to wash it the other day, the goslings would not go to bed until the bear was back. They are so funny. I am simultaneously looking forward to (less mess!) and dreading (they will be appalled that I left them!) the move outdoors.

I know the constant fretting about how best to provide for these little creatures, especially when it's uncharted territory, is stressful and exhausting no matter how enjoyable they are. Seems like everywhere I go, I'm constantly sizing stuff up for any possible part it can play in mess management or in assembling the next size up in gosling playgrounds. Were you still planning to keep Miss Nelson as a house goose? If so, I can imagine where something the size of a call duck companion would hold appeal

But even though 2 geese are twice the mess, I bet you would still save a lot of time if you could share the social responsibilities with another goose! When I was waiting for my Sebs to hatch, I was in constant thought about "what if only one hatches" and how I would deal with that.

I hope you find your best solution soon!

Becky

 

[ermer124]

Miss Nelson is doing really well. Growing like a weed. She's only 17 days old today and she's already like 5 or 6 times the size she was on day one. She looooves swimming in the bath tub. Every time I start to fill it up she starts flapping her baby wings and hopping around. Until she hops to far and can't see me, and resumes the screaming until momma is back in sight. I plan to get her some stuff animals tomorrow in hopes of keeping her company. At least until I can get her a live friend lol. I still plan on raising her as a house goose, but I'm also making an enclosure for her outside so she can have a pool and graze while I'm not at home.