Ended Official BYC Contest - Guess When We'll Hit 22 Million Posts And You Can Win!

[CindyinSD]

Hey, how'd it go? Did they hatch?

I'm happy to report that my gander has taken over full care for the goslings. Full time dad duties.

They did hatch, but it didn't go well. The adults trod on the little ones. Two survived and I had to cull one. . However...

They were showing junior the ropes today, out wandering around. I figured, What've I got to lose? I had eight in a brooder maybe two, three weeks old, So I brought out one? No, two ( can't remember ) and I let them loose nearby. The adults descended on me like avenging angels, then spread their wings over the littles and escorted them away from the evil giant. So I brought out the rest, a couple at a time. They took them all.

 

[Conan]

They did hatch, but it didn't go well. The adults trod on the little ones. Two survived and I had to cull one. . However...

They were showing junior the ropes today, out wandering around. I figured, What've I got to lose? I had eight in a brooder maybe two, three weeks old, So I brought out one? No, two ( can't remember ) and I let them loose nearby. The adults descended on me like avenging angels, then spread their wings over the littles and escorted them away from the evil giant. So I brought out the rest, a couple at a time. They took them all.

View attachment 2148993

Awesome! That's great news! Look at that pile of babies.

 

[R2elk]

They did hatch, but it didn't go well. The adults trod on the little ones. Two survived and I had to cull one.

This is why it is not good to let them all brood together. Separated nests well apart from each other helps prevent the accidental stompings.

 

[CindyinSD]

I am learning, Jedi bird-master. (Slowly )

Broodies should be kept separate--do you ever have to confine your turkey girls to a broody pen? Do they go along with that?

If I were to give each of the girls a gander, would they be likely to take him? Do I need to buy the ganders or eggs from a different hatchery's stock? Should I try roast goose first and see whether I even like it? Maybe I should just sell two of the girls...

 

[R2elk]

Currently my turkey hens have their own separate nests. Three of the nests are "hidden nests" that are located outside of the run. Two are within 5' of each other on the west side of the house. Those are actually within 6' of where I am sitting except I am in the house and they are outside.

I suspect that if you were to bring in additional ganders and this point that your gander would take exception to it. If you have 3 hens and one gander, and no apparent genetic defects in the goslings, I would not be in a hurry to change the situation.

You can try roast goose (I like it) but there is a difference between a store bought goose and a home grown goose. We liked to finish a goose on corn.

 

[CindyinSD]

So... even though they share the same mate, it would work to keep them separate to brood? I really like them... they're so interesting. And I really appreciate your help.

I want to build a house for them, maybe by the little orchard. It would give me a good excuse to fence it in. SOME mystical perfect creature has been nibbling branches way the heck up there above the circle of protection. At first I thought I'd make it a duplex with the ducks, but I think I'd rather give the ducks a separate residence.

I wouldn't buy a goose from the grocery. By the time they have them in again, I will have geese enough to harvest myself. I'll most likely be looking to you for culinary advice when the time comes.

I have another six goose eggs in the incubator. I took them when I gave the ladies my almost-done eggs. There were eight, two clears. The rest looked to be all at the same stage of development. How that happened, I have no idea. Goose magic, I guess. I couldn't kill them before they even had a chance to enjoy the sunshine.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

Military time... if you number the hours in the day as 1 through 24, rather than two sets of 1 through 12, and then get rid of the ":" in between the minutes and the hours, that's what military time looks like, right?
So, 0500 hours would be 5:00 a.m., right? And 1300 hours would be 1:00 p.m., and so on? Is that right?

Yes!

 

[Conan]

So... even though they share the same mate, it would work to keep them separate to brood? I really like them... they're so interesting. And I really appreciate your help.

I want to build a house for them, maybe by the little orchard. It would give me a good excuse to fence it in. SOME mystical perfect creature has been nibbling branches way the heck up there above the circle of protection. At first I thought I'd make it a duplex with the ducks, but I think I'd rather give the ducks a separate residence.

I wouldn't buy a goose from the grocery. By the time they have them in again, I will have geese enough to harvest myself. I'll most likely be looking to you for culinary advice when the time comes.

I have another six goose eggs in the incubator. I took them when I gave the ladies my almost-done eggs. There were eight, two clears. The rest looked to be all at the same stage of development. How that happened, I have no idea. Goose magic, I guess. I couldn't kill them before they even had a chance to enjoy the sunshine.

I know that I am not going to be able to kill one of mine. I'll kill all my other birds first (Butters is exempt). The man, however, is yearning to try goose. I'd rather slaughter quail all day. I just like the geese too much.

 

[R2elk]

So... even though they share the same mate, it would work to keep them separate to brood?

It works with my turkeys. Just set up 3 different nesting areas with fake eggs. You can buy fake ceramic goose eggs.

 

[hysop]

Decided to just go ahead and order from Cackle Hatchery. The lady I was going to buy guineafowl eggs from changed her prices seconds after she gave me a set price and I told her I would pick some up tomorrow with the excuse that she’s been having a lot of people asking about her eggs.

I rather pay Cackle money than a random person who changes prices last minute because then how do I know their eggs are even decent if they can’t stand by their original price.