Goslings of 2014 Hatch-a-long

[Iain Utah]

Up to 6 ducklings now and looks like there are more hatching.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Up to 6 ducklings now and looks like there are more hatching.

Wow J, lots of duckies at your place.


Now a question, I heard Sam give the victory yell a little while ago and look up on the hill and he was in the pool with the 2 youngins they just turned 4 months old I'm pretty sure he mated with one of them, Missy was standing outside of the pool watching. Could this be true? I did not see the actual mating of course but he doesn't yell like that unless he has mated.

 

[Iain Utah]

I know! Hope Hubby can find homes for most of the older set this weekend!

It would not surprise me if Sammy mated with your juvenile girl. While I have not seen it yet with my production Toulouse juveniles, my Africans play with mating in the fall as juveniles. Dewlaps, on the other hand, are such slow developers that they do not get frisky until the following spring after hatch when they are pushing a year old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know! Hope Hubby can find homes for most of the older set this weekend!

It would not surprise me if Sammy mated with your juvenile girl. While I have not seen it yet with my production Toulouse juveniles, my Africans play with mating in the fall as juveniles. Dewlaps, on the other hand, are such slow developers that they do not get frisky until the following spring after hatch when they are pushing a year old.

Well I was surprised. Never have my geese mated this time of year. First year we had Missy with Sam it was Jan before mating season started and she was 8 months old. Last year it was Feb before mating started for the geese, I wouldn't even think the young ones would even be willing at 4 months. In the past Missy is the one who instigates mating here. I will keeping my eyes open now. and ears.

 

[Iain Utah]

There must be something in the air. Beignet set up a nest and laid an egg today.

The 7th duckling sadly did not make it. Momma must have been too busy trying to keep up with the curious ducklings today to remain on nest, so the late hatchling appears to have gotten hypothermia. I do not see any activity from the remaining eggs, so I believe hatch time is over with 6 ducklings that look really good.

 

[livininbrazil]

There must be something in the air. Beignet set up a nest and laid an egg today.

The 7th duckling sadly did not make it. Momma must have been too busy trying to keep up with the curious ducklings today to remain on nest, so the late hatchling appears to have gotten hypothermia. I do not see any activity from the remaining eggs, so I believe hatch time is over with 6 ducklings that look really good.

Well 6 ducklings is a nice number. Any really pretty ones?

 

[servpolice]

The weather here has gone very cold yet still dry (dryest and sunniest september over 50 years ) but i see a lot of foxes around too which i don't like at all ! Besides i don't like the feeling of winter approching :S

 

[Miss Lydia]

There must be something in the air. Beignet set up a nest and laid an egg today.

The 7th duckling sadly did not make it. Momma must have been too busy trying to keep up with the curious ducklings today to remain on nest, so the late hatchling appears to have gotten hypothermia. I do not see any activity from the remaining eggs, so I believe hatch time is over with 6 ducklings that look really good.

Isn't that odd J? I've not ever seen many post about their geese laying this time of year unless it was Chinese Very sorry about the little duckling, Congrats on the 6 that hatched.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The weather here has gone very cold yet still dry (dryest and sunniest september over 50 years

) but i see a lot of foxes around too which i don't like at all ! Besides i don't like the feeling of winter approching :S

We're getting ready to be hit with our first big cold snap over the weekend, but rain coming in ahead of it.Foxes are scary when we have flocks that they like to prey upon.

 

[Iain Utah]

LB, they are stinking adorable! They are Cayuga Ancona crosses, so they are mostly dark colored. The parents are from my first hatch ever, so their babies are extra special to me. I am sure we will keep at least a couple of them.

P, I found it very weird that she laid an egg! I have not gotten any fall season eggs before from her, or any of my geese for that matter. But I also find it weird that my Cayuga, who will be 3yo in January, never went broody before and here she is hatching babies in October.