Thread formerly known as Hatch day is today

[CelticOaksFarm]

We are seperating after new years. Moms chinese never laid before March, so I really doubt that ours will lay in February. Same with the other KS folks. Its our coldest month usually.

How are you Celtic?

We are good Marty, had a huge temp swing this week and are cold (for here) now this weekend. Two more geese and two muscovy drakes to butcher today. That will wrap up another round of butchering and get rid of the naughty ganders once and for all. Have a few more to ship out after the first of the year, and a couple more to sell as we really gear up on hatching season in January.

Be on the look out in Feb for eggs as a pre caution. I know many sebbies much farther north than you who start laying in February. We just did our final split of geese yesterday to keep the peace around here

 

[Marty1876]

Don't they have enough sense not to lay when their eggs will freeze?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

lol,most collect and start incubating them so they have March goslings

 

[psue]

your Africans should the most eggs of the three breeds. Watch the older ganders as they can do some serious intimidation to young ganders and keep them from breeding.

Almost January, have all of you up north made your pens and plans for separating the breeds of geese you have? They need 30 days of separation before first eggs are laid. Many of you can expect eggs in February, so January splitting into breeding pairs and trios will be a must.

mine are all seperated... still have to figure out a second pool as both the Embdens and Dewlaps have to have them... The mixed pair may need/to better with one also. It's gotta be something I can dump everynight as I dont want a huge ice cube to move

Don't they have enough sense not to lay when their eggs will freeze?

no Marty,

you'll be surprized how early You'll get eggs

lol,most collect and start incubating them so they have March goslings

Squishy's birthday is March 11th

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Paula pick up three cement mixing pans at lowes or home depot. You can fill in the morning and dump as needed. They will be fine that size and it wont be so much water to deal with in the cold and freezing temps.

4 of our breeding Sebastopols were early March babies in 2011 from breeders way up north. Again its daily egg collection and artificial incubation happening, but early march goslings is not unusual for northern geese.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

here is the last chicken hatch of SFH chicks and some new EE stock



ducklings, goslings and more chickens due NYD

 

[Marty1876]

If those geese start laying in February, I'm gonna kick some feathery butt.

 

[psue]

If those geese start laying in February, I'm gonna kick some feathery butt.

I bet they do


Celtic I got some rubber feed tubs from some neighbors that got rid of their horses... perfect size for a pair I think. as soon as we get a sunny day I'll try them out when I can watch and see if they work as well as I think they will. If not I've time to get something else.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

we use some of those for feeding the larger groups of geese. The super big ones should be plenty big for a pair.

Marty it really isnt abnormal for February eggs, its why I warn people again and again to split breeders up in January. If they didnt start laying until March it would mean first goslings in April. Your Africans and Sebastopols will likely lay before March.

 

[Marty1876]

I'm just surprised that they may lay sooner then chinese do. But oh well, I guess we'll be ready. I see loads of straw in nest sheltors in pens in my future. What time of day do they prefer to lay?