The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jameslindsay on April 16, 2010, 03:56:07 pm

Title: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 16, 2010, 03:56:07 pm
One of my 2 goose eggs in the incubator has started pipping, not due till Sunday though. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: Rosemary on April 16, 2010, 06:03:02 pm
Mine are crossed too.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: JulieS on April 16, 2010, 07:38:48 pm
Fingers crossed here too James
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 16, 2010, 07:42:11 pm
Thanks, I have hatched many times from the incubator but this waiting is just the pits. The crack is getting bigger but still a long way to go.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on April 16, 2010, 09:32:31 pm
fingers crossed....
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 17, 2010, 11:56:05 am
The gosling that started yesterday is definately going to appear today, we can now see it's beak coming out. The second egg now has the smallest of breaks in the shell so still has a long way to go.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 17, 2010, 01:47:18 pm
The one gosling is now out of his/her shell and sleeping now.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: doganjo on April 17, 2010, 05:18:43 pm
Photos as soon as you can, James.  Can you train geese not to attack people?  I had a very bad scare when I was 4 and I think they sense I am frightened of them.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 17, 2010, 05:46:32 pm
I will try and post some pics later, had a busy day. The whole on the other egg is getting bigger but doubt we shall see it hatch today. I have heard of people that have very tame geese, so I guess it is possible. My mum is terrified of hens, infact all birds, since she was attacked by a cockerel when she was young too.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 17, 2010, 06:15:28 pm
Here we go
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on April 17, 2010, 06:31:45 pm
amazing....   (not quite "cute" but beautiful in its own way!)
good luck for the second
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 17, 2010, 09:13:35 pm



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34a-L4VdJNQ
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 18, 2010, 08:30:43 am
Both eggs are now hatched and although the youngest is still very weak it appears to be a bully and a thug. Typical goose!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: doganjo on April 18, 2010, 09:16:40 am
Just keep them locked up when i come back in May! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: Lavinia on April 18, 2010, 01:55:55 pm
James they are so cute, ended up watching loads of you video's of utube.... Like the bar maids.. :wave:

Good luck with the goslings
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 18, 2010, 07:57:47 pm
and to think i saw one of them when it was still an 'egg'!!  brilliant - well done
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 12:02:39 pm
And then there were 2...
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 19, 2010, 12:10:39 pm
oh how cute are they!!  makes me want to get the incubator out again...and ours are only 2 weeks old!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 12:15:42 pm
I am hoping that I can get these 2 tame Laura.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 19, 2010, 02:44:37 pm
how cool would that be!  One of our tup lambs is really tame and comes up to be scratched when his mum is having her tea.  One of the local schools is coming our for a visit to see the lambs and the chicklings (chicks and ducklings) this week so think they will love seeing eveything.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 03:05:43 pm
Well hopefully we will succeed. They have just been for their first swim and loved it.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: HappyHippy on April 19, 2010, 05:06:58 pm
They're VERY cute James, fingers crossed for getting them 'tame' - don't think I've met a nice goose yet  ;) ;D What breed are they ?
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 05:11:28 pm
To be honest I don't know their breed, I rescued their parents a month or so ago and they didn't know either and I haven't "googled" to find out, but I will try later.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: sandy on April 19, 2010, 05:15:34 pm
Only just noticed this post, more chicks to keep you busy but they are cute and you can fatten them up for Christmas ;)
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 05:19:44 pm
Only just noticed this post, more chicks to keep you busy but they are cute and you can fatten them up for Christmas ;)

Sandy, they are not for the table, they will be pets like the other 3 geese I have.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: sandy on April 19, 2010, 05:21:58 pm
 ;)  ;) I know you are toooooo kind to eat any of your pets!!!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 19, 2010, 07:26:56 pm
and he wants our wee tup lamb (Bramble) as one of his pets too!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (the cute, tame one that I can't even think about sending to the Dark Side when he's bigger!!!)
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on April 19, 2010, 08:28:53 pm
James, they're lovely.  daft question, but what are goose eggs like?  colour I mean!
my husband asked me and I have to confess I had no idea (which he said was unusual!)
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 19, 2010, 08:35:50 pm
James, they're lovely.  daft question, but what are goose eggs like?  colour I mean!
my husband asked me and I have to confess I had no idea (which he said was unusual!)

They are huge and white and quite heavy too.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on April 19, 2010, 08:37:53 pm
thankyou!   ;D
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 20, 2010, 11:19:48 am
I have to say that these goslings are much more loving than any ducklings I have hatched which surprises me. They enjoy my attention and getting cuddles. When I let them out their brooder they come running after me and when I sit on the floor they come and cuddle up to keep warm.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: northfifeduckling on April 20, 2010, 01:58:29 pm
Amazing, James - well done! They'll be so much bigger when we meet up next month.

I'm not surprised that they respond better to handling than ducks - didn't  Konrad Lorenz work with geese (not ducks!) ? You'll be their dad from now on as long as they live! Anyone remember Fly Away Home?  :&>
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 20, 2010, 04:57:48 pm
Never heard of Konran I'm afraid but I do remember the film you mentioned. I had both them down in the bar for 10 minutes this afternoon and they had a great time exploring.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: northfifeduckling on April 20, 2010, 05:04:31 pm
Konrad Lorenz I think was a Behavioural Biologist who spent a long time living with geese. A lot of his research had to do with parenting - the first thing the goslings saw once they hatched was considered their parent for life and they followed him everywhere. Funny I remember that from my Biology lessons somewhat 35 years ago.. ;D :&>
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 21, 2010, 12:46:05 pm
I think after looking on the internet they are Chinese geese.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 22, 2010, 01:28:59 pm
was so tempted to come in and meet them today James (been for a lesson at Edenside), but my hair was plastered to my head i had worked so hard and i didnt want to put your customers off their food!!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: northfifeduckling on April 22, 2010, 01:32:16 pm
Tara and me couldn't resist to stop by yesterday to see them, soooo lovely and how tame they are! Hannah was a bit cross that she hadn't come with us  ;) :&>
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 22, 2010, 01:35:50 pm
Hi Laura, feel free to come in and see the goslings any time at all. Of course it doensn't matter what you look like. :)

Kerstin you know you can bring Hannah any time also.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: egglady on April 22, 2010, 05:38:27 pm
Hi Laura, feel free to come in and see the goslings any time at all. Of course it doensn't matter what you look like. :)


Trust me - you wouldn't have wanted me anywhere near your place today!  Thanks though!

Off to check square sheep to see if today's the day!  If it is, no doubt she'll wait till I'm off to my beekeeping class and then she'll have it/them!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: Sharondp on April 22, 2010, 08:28:18 pm
Anyone remember Fly Away Home?  :&>

I was just going to mention the same film!
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 22, 2010, 09:14:30 pm
This was them out on the sun yesterday
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: doganjo on April 22, 2010, 09:18:12 pm
Ok, you've got me hooked, James - oohhh, they are such pretty little fluffy things ..................... but one step near me with those fluffy heads lowered and any hint of a hissing noise from their gorgeous little beaks and I'll set Bobby on them ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 22, 2010, 09:20:14 pm
Honestly Annie just now they are such wee sooks, they love attention and cuddles.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: doganjo on April 22, 2010, 09:21:55 pm
Hmmm, yes - and what about in 5 weeks time when we have our meet?  That is if anyone is coming????????????
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on April 22, 2010, 09:24:11 pm
I should just about have them trained to chase you by then hee hee hee. :)
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: joyofchicks on April 22, 2010, 11:38:26 pm
James - you win the cute photo of the day award!  ;D
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on May 07, 2010, 11:12:42 am
This is them just over 2 weeks old, they are so big.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on May 08, 2010, 12:43:43 pm
they're still very cute... but getting that hint of menace!!
have you named them James?
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on May 08, 2010, 12:59:13 pm
No names as yet as I have no idea what sex they are. They are very loving and friendly - so far. :)
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on May 13, 2010, 08:59:14 am
The goslings are now spending all day outside in a well secure run and are enjoying this. Last night as it was so nice I let them run around freely as I was with them and I also had the lambs out for a play. All was going well and everyone having fun, the hens and ducks ignored the goslings and my Roman goose looked after them and protected them. I then decided to go and brush the goats so put the goslings in the paddock where most of the hens were and 10 minutes later there was a helluva noise. I don't know if it was the hens or Charlie that attacked one of them but when I managed to get in the poor wee thing was hiding in a corner and terrified. I brought them back inside but noticed blood on my hands. The gosling had been pecked and was bleeding on its back and in a bit of shock. I put on wound powder and left them alone in the quiet and this morning all is well. Why would the hens do this as they have been together many times and never had an issue?
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 13, 2010, 09:26:27 am
what a shame! My suspicion is that it might have been the cockerel. It's just that time of the year for them to be aggressive, the poor gosling may just have gotten too close in a playful way and he may have tried "to put it in its place" as they are newish animals around. I don't think a hen would have gone for it, don't they just go for each other? I hope the wound heals quickly and once they are bigger should be able to defend themselves better. How's the broody duck?  :&>
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on May 13, 2010, 09:44:37 am
She is still sitting patiently, I think they should be due to hatch, if they hatch, next Monday or Tuesday so you may be able to see for yourself on Tuesday when you are here. The Cockerel had been ok with the goslings when I was with them so I really don't know what happened but there was a mega noise and most of the hens were hanging around. One of my other call ducks refused to come off the river the other night which was a worry but there was nothing we could do. I went out at 6am yesterday morning and she was in the river in with 2 mallards! She came home no problems last night though.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 13, 2010, 10:18:59 am
I've heard of domestic ducks flying off with wild mallards. We have some on the pond next door and there is alaways a lot of noise when they fly over. I do check each time if one of mine thinks they might be better company but I hope mine are not such confident flyers  ;D
Looking forward to Tuesday  :&>
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: jameslindsay on May 13, 2010, 11:14:23 am
My Roman Goose is out on the river just now in the  middle of 8 swans, he thinks he's part of them. They always accept him too and he goes off for hours with them.
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: doganjo on May 13, 2010, 11:50:40 am
Guess they are colour prejudiced not race prejudiced  ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hatching
Post by: little blue on May 14, 2010, 07:31:40 pm
hope the littl'un is ok now? and not frightened by the stroppy hens....