Newbie from G'town TX

TheSmallHill

In the Brooder
5 Years
Joined
May 26, 2014
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Location
Georgetown,TX
Hi All!
My family is VERY new to chickens. Our friends are moving to Washington state and gave us their little flock along with some starter things. I'm currently swimming in BYC forums trying to figure out if I'm doing OK with these girls. Day 4 now. We have 3 chickens and a goose. Two Kraienkoppes (Hanz & Franz...ze Germans) and a Buff Orpington (Nugget or nugs) and an American Buff goose (Goose goose). They are all laying, except the goose, I think she's still in shock from the move and maybe wants her people back...

My friend told me about BYC. Glad she did!! I had no idea there was such a deep world of poultry love. But after 4 days with these girls I can see why. They're such characters!

I'm a stay at home mom to a toddler and do graphic design work when there's 'time.' My husband is a software engineer and currently his engineer buddies are making chicken jokes. I'm surprised how interested my family and his work family is interested in our new adventure. We've received a lot of 'advice' about mean geese, roos and feeding. Goose goose loves my little girl though...she comes out to greet her and they 'play cars' together. Ze Germans eat out of my hand now, Nugs is the lowest in the pecking order so she does her own thing. I try to get her secret worm snacks.

My current worry is that Goose goose might need a companion (same breed? girl? boy?). That and do I need to get a roo? If I do, do I need to start 'candling' the eggs to make sure they're not fertilized? No idea...We're flying by the seat of our pants here. It's been fun though! My farmer's tan is coming in nicely (little girl's is too!) and we're all very grateful for this community! The goose wakes me up at 645-7 am and by the time my hubs gets up and dressed he sees me in here checking out the forums. He says I need to get some sleep. lol
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Welcome to BYC
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Glad you joined us! If you want to see if the eggs are fertile you'll have to break one open and look for the little bullseye on the yolk. There are some pics of what to look for here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures/0_30

You'll only need a cockerel if you want fertile eggs to hatch. The hens will do fine without. On the goose, I can't tell you. Better ask in the geese section here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/47/geese

Enjoy the site!
 
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Your goose would probably appreciate a companion, although there is a local goat farmer the only has a single goose and that goose does fine. I would also recommend the goose forum

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/47/geese

You don't NEED a roo but if you do get one he will protect your girls and if you get a few roos you can keep the nicest one and send the others to freezer camp. If you make sure to collect the eggs every day/every other day you wouldn't need to candle them.

Have you checked out your state forum?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/877040/texas-byc-cafe
 
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Welcome to BYC!

I don't know anything about geese. So you would do best posting questions about them in our geese section.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!
 
Welcome to Byc good luck with your flock hope you have a great learning time and experience.
 

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