Haven't decided whether to get a couple of Anconas or more Magpies next Spring. The Ancona's might be hard to come by - since I would only want 1 or 2.
Toadbriar.....I love your flock. I soooo wish I had some light colors instead of all black and chocolate. They really are pretty little things, aren't they? And your GOOSE! We have had this conversation, but I love yours!
Your flock is very nice! It bothers me to see so many ducks in some flocks that are very dark. Where did your stock originate?
Thanks! They're a combo of some hatching eggs I got off ebay, and some birds from cackle hatchery. I have one girl that's marked almost like a swede (and with a crest!) but she's a bit of a favorite for personality, and socially, a really important element of the flock IMO. She's the welcome wagon, always making friends with new babies or adults or geese. Couldn't do without her. And I see so many Anconas marked like sea gulls... a bit more pigment in the mix doesn't bother me too much to even things out. I'd never sell any who looked like her for breeding.
I have 3 geese. They yell at the ducks if they notice them mating or if the males are chasing each other around. I can't say if they're much protective beyond that, because they're acclimated to the horse, goats, and people. We haven't had, thankfully, any events where a goose had to leap to someone's defense, so I don't know how they'd do. I pretty much just want them to make noise if something threatening comes around. They're good at voicing their disapproval Your babies are adorable! More pics plz!!
