Goslings of 2014 Hatch-a-long

[livininbrazil]

That's why I want to set up a garden just for them, they do eat the grass some but don't really care for it. I don't know if it's the wrong kind of grass or what.. Maybe Texas heat makes the grass to tough for them, it's already 95 degrees here and climbing. Whatever the reason, they go straight for my flower and herb garden and I can't keep them out. The big veggie garden is next door at my moms so they can't get to that. I don't mind a nibble here or there but when they eat a whole bed of marigold down to roots and strip a side completely off my parsley, when they have a whole yard to graze, there has to be something wrong with the grass in my yard. I may end up reseeding my grass for something they like, but once again don't know what grass is good for geese. So I was gonna make them their very own garden till I figured it all out. I am very concerned about their health and want them to thrive.

Apparently there´s a type of lawn grass that´s not good for them. Often native-type grasses that grow wild are juicier than lawn grass. Mine love broad-bladed grasses and the seed-heads on them. They´re creeping grasses, so have fairly short blades, but they´re wide.

 

[Starfire669]

Apparently there´s a type of lawn grass that´s not good for them.  Often native-type grasses that grow wild are juicier than lawn grass. Mine love broad-bladed grasses and the seed-heads on them.  They´re creeping grasses, so have fairly short blades, but they´re wide.   

I think I have carpet grass in my back yard, I know I have patches of crabgrass and a lot of weeds. I have not seeded for my lawn for a specific type of grass. It is what is native for my area. The front yard is not near as lush and green as the back yard, which could be why they are in my garden beds, it's tastier than the grass. But wherever I am the geese follow. I guess I'll have to more time in my strawberry beds and see if they eat that grass. Start watering the front lawn more to juicy it up.

 

[ChickDancer]

The danger really is when folks don´t have the space for them to graze, and inadvertently give them the greens which, when eaten a lot of, can cause problems.

Exactly. Plant everything for you and them, and let them choose. What they don't eat, you can pick and freeze for yourself.

Poinsettias are very well-known toxic plants. They say if you have dogs or cats, DO NOT get a poinsettia plant around Christmas, because it's toxic to them. But the truth is, in order to be affected by it, they have to eat an entire plant - plus roots. The same goes for parsley and spinach. They can nibble here and there. But as long as they have other options, they'll likely avoid it if it's not good for them. They might get an upset tummy (okay, upset crop) by eating it, and just not want it again.

And I've tested that theory on my cats. I have a little grass pot inside, and I've bought poinsettias before. They tore the heck out of the grass every time it was out, but never touched those flowers. Nature has it's way of taking care of us. That's why no plant is really toxic until we/they consume a lot of it. But most times, the taste will be a good deterrent after that first nibble doesn't sit right with them.

 

[Starfire669]

Exactly. Plant everything for you and them, and let them choose. What they don't eat, you can pick and freeze for yourself.


Poinsettias are very well-known toxic plants. They say if you have dogs or cats, DO NOT get a poinsettia plant around Christmas, because it's toxic to them. But the truth is, in order to be affected  by it, they have to eat an entire plant - plus roots. The same goes for parsley and spinach. They can nibble here and there. But as long as they have other options, they'll likely avoid it if it's not good for them. They might get an upset tummy (okay, upset crop) by eating it, and just not want it again.


And I've tested that theory on my cats. I have a little grass pot inside, and I've bought poinsettias before. They tore the heck out of the grass every time it was out, but never touched those flowers. Nature has it's way of taking care of us. That's why no plant is really toxic until we/they consume a lot of it. But most times, the taste will be a good deterrent after that first nibble doesn't sit right with them.

Thanks, I was worried I didn't have what they needed. I didn't want to be a horrible goose momma. I'll put down more plants in my garden beds and just let them have at. I already fenced the strawberries off or the chickens would eat every berry and let me have none, greedy pigs! Guess I can say goodbye to marigolds lol, they really really like those. And they didn't even let the nasturtium flower, but I planted that for them so oh well. I have noticed that they won't touch the lantana, which is poisonous, and while they love laying in the shade of the wisteria they won't eat that either. Do they like sunflowers? I have a row of those coming up and it was supposed to be a treat for the chickens. They also don't seem to like my peppermint or spearmint and they walk over it to get to the parsley. My lavender is just coming up, will see if they like that. Do they like kale, I have a couple plants growing?

 

[ChickDancer]

I already fenced the strawberries off or the chickens would eat every berry and let me have none, greedy pigs!

Speaking of strawberries, I saw the funniest fight yesterday between the ducks and geese over strawberries! I tossed a few into the pen, and a couple into their big water "dish" as well. The ducks began to dunk it to get it away from the geese, and the geese bit the ducks to get them away from the berries, lol!

 

[Starfire669]

Speaking of strawberries, I saw the funniest fight yesterday between the ducks and geese over strawberries! I tossed a few into the pen, and a couple into their big water "dish" as well. The ducks began to dunk it to get it away from the geese, and the geese bit the ducks to get them away from the berries, lol!

Lol cute. When I throw strawberries to the chickens, they play full contact tackle football. It ends when a goose manages to scare a chicken into dropping it, or sometimes Snow, my biggest goose grabs a chickens tail feathers. He holds on till he sees the berry fall and rushes to get it, usually another chicken picks it up though and it starts all over again.

 

[Iain Utah]

I dont know if i read the thrend properly but did someone say she/he hatched or mentioned a white African gosling?!
If not well sorry im very tired

It was actually on the goose breeding thread. Rivergoddess hatched out the 1st white gosling ever from my birds yesterday.

 

[livininbrazil]

It was actually on the goose breeding thread. Rivergoddess hatched out the 1st white gosling ever from my birds yesterday.

 

[livininbrazil]

Exactly. Plant everything for you and them, and let them choose. What they don't eat, you can pick and freeze for yourself.

Oh, nice!! I hope they don´t poop on it first!

 

[psue]

Today's hatch... 2 grey Dewlaps and 1 Buff duck


Last weeks Dewlaps.. they are growing so fast!