Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => Chicken Chat => Topic started by: Kate and her Ducks on May 18, 2013, 21:22
-
Well the goslings are a bit over a week now but sadly the first little boy out is really poorly with pneumonia.
I noticed yesterday morning that the smaller one that hatched on the same day had overtaken him in growth. Yesterday evening he seemed a bit hunched up and when cuddling him against my ear (he like to sit on my shoulder) I could hear his breathing was rattly. This morning took him to the vet who agreed he has pneumonia, gave him an IM injection (not easy in something weighing 134g) and we have antibiotics orally.
Amazingly difficult giving something 0.05ml when it doesn't want you to!
I think we can safely agree that foie gras is off the menu!
He seems a little brighter this evening and his breathing is less laboured. He has also had a little to eat which is an improvement. Keeping my fingers crossed as mortality is very high with pneumonia in goslings. The vet thinks he has a chance as we caught it early but will have to wait and see.
On the up side the little wobbly gosling that hatched late is doing brilliantly and is catching up quickly with the others.
-
I've got my fingers crossed :) Hope he continues to improve :)
-
At least you spotted it and he is getting early treatment. If he had been on a large scale producers he wouldn't have had a chance. Hope he pulls through. :)
-
Well William (he had to have a name) seems a lot better today than yesterday. His respiratory rate has come right down to normal (20-30) from 60 breaths a minute yesterday and seems much less laboured. The horrible crackly noises coming from his chest when he breathed have also stopped.
He's stated to eat a bit more but he has lost a lot of weight and is now smaller than the one that hatched 2 days after him so he has a lot of eating to do if he is going to get over this but it's looking a lot better than yesterday.
-
That is good news Kate, keeping my fingers crossed for William (will he get Bill for short ::) :lol:) to make a speedy recovery. ;)
-
Bill is in the best hands with you Kate :)
-
Well the vet wanted me to give him a ring and let him know how William had got on over the weekend so I rang this morning. He was genuinely surprised that he had survived the weekend. Most goslings with pneumonia succumb in the 1st 24 hours apparently. I know the mortality is "high" but the vet told me this morning it is about 80% from his estimation. I think its a sign of how unusual it is as he wants me to give him another update towards the end of the week. He also told me if I run out of antibiotics to let them know and he will have some waiting (think they didn't give me much as didn't think he would need it!!!)
He's a little stronger today although I could hear creps on his chest again this evening. His is eating better and has put on a little weight today but still not regained the weight he has lost yet. Still a bit wobbly but I guess he has survived that 1st 24 hours so hopefully will continue to improve.
-
He is a fighter then. It is hard when you are doing all you can and have to watch them slowly getting better. Hope we get some good weather so you can take him out on to some grass in the sunshine. It always seems to help perk my chickens up.
-
Well I'm not sure we are going to win this battle. He really isn't picking up although not particularly getting worse either. Seems like he hasn't got the energy to be running about eating and therefore he has no energy and so he doesn't eat.
He still only weighs 130-140g. His sister now weighs 375g!
I'm force feeding him which seems to be making a bit of difference but I think that if he doesn't turn the corner I'm going to lose him. Will keep going supplementing what he is taking under his own steam and see what happens.
Does anyone else have any experience of poorly goslings?
-
Oh poor William, I hope he picks up.
-
I have used pureed carrots, garlic, apple, with honey and water added to encourage the appetite back for poorly chicks/hens. I hope her turns a corner and beats the odds.
-
I dont know if Avipro would help with him being so young.
Perhaps when you speak to the vet next ask if it would help. They should be able to supply it as well as they will use it in their practice, it not expensive either. Some pet shops will sell it too.
-
Is he still hanging in there ?
-
He's still hanging in there.
I was so disappointed this morning when he had lost all the weight he gained yesterday with force feeding and seemed much the same. I was in work all day so couldn't give him anything extra after a few feeds first thing this morning so was really worried that he would lose more ground. This evening he actually seems a bit brighter. Eating more without needing to be forced and has put on more weight than yesterday already.
Too early to get too excited but looking more hopeful than yesterday.
-
Have to give him his due, he is a fighter, really hope he pulls through, if he does, hope he passes on those fighting genes
-
Hopefully he will pull through and be your strongest and bossiest goose as pepsi100 said. ;)
-
have you got a picture of this litle fighter?
Be nice to see what he looks like :) :)
-
God bless him, he does keep fighting.
I just really want him to make it. He's just such beautiful little boy and I so want him to make it. He's still quite sluggish but his head is up far more and he looks a bit less hunched over. Oddly I have noticed he seems to like eating his crumb from head height and seems to like hoovering it up from the edge of the electric hen if I sprinkle it there.
What ever works! :blush:
-
Birds are so funny with food. They always seem to think it is special if it is not in their food container. :nowink:
-
I know!
Have to say the goslings are such tidy little things. They always seem to eat the spilled food before the stuff in the bowl and they drink their water rather than splashing it about. So unlike ducklings! Now if they would just stop pooing the place would be immaculate! :lol:
-
Hi Kate, sorry to hear about your problems with William. I was just curious to know whether he is with the other goslings or have you separated him? If he's on his own he might be missing the others?
-
I found that their poo (when I had a goose) was really good at attracting worms and bugs, which in turn the hens used to eat
I just used to pick it up, bung it on the compost, then leave it for a couple of days, then the hens would find it and scatter it around (now I have a bottomless distbin) they havent found out how to get into that yet :)
-
William's still with the others. They pine so much by themselves I couldn't bear to separate him and as I have three can't give him a companion without leaving one of the others alone.
He's much the same this morning as yesterday morning although has kept on a bit of the weight, more than previous days anyway. I am a little worried about the other 2. Although they look very well and are bombing about and feeding like gannets they are breathing a little quicker than usual and I'm concerned they may have picked it up from him. Might be being paranoid but vet agrees best get them all on antibiotics to be on the safe side and nip anything in the bud.
God ducklings are easy compared to this!!! Messy but easy!
-
You have probably just been really unlucky. Hopefully they will all thrive and your next hatch will go without a hitch. :)
With the weight they might be like us and lose weight overnight. :unsure:
-
Awwwwwwwwww poor William! And to think you worried about his sister initially!
Keep doing what you're doing - sounds like he might just get there in the end :)
-
Well William seems a little brighter today. He's still not putting on any weight yet so still pretty unlikely he will make it unless that changes but seemed more active today. Head up more and just more inquisitive. It's been a lovely day here so let them out on the grass for a bit. He's not strong enough to eat the grass (can't pull it free) but he seemed to really like being out exploring and if he doesn't make it then at least he has had a bit of nice life in the sunshine.
Here he is enjoying the sunshine.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0270_zps23a0d0f7.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/katemerriman/media/IMG_0270_zps23a0d0f7.jpg.html)
With his sister Charlotte so you can see the size difference. She now weighs 4 times what he does.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0273_zps992f2e30.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/katemerriman/media/IMG_0273_zps992f2e30.jpg.html)
And all three of them together.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0271_zps1f09aa8f.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/katemerriman/media/IMG_0271_zps1f09aa8f.jpg.html)
-
He looks a great little fella, and yes, maybe the sunshine will help
-
Gosh he is small isn't he!
His sisters' come on well though considering she struggled to get out of the egg!
Fingers crossed he'll gain weight
-
He's tiny but done well to get this far. It's been hard as he doesn't seem to get better or worse. A little amazed that he hasn't died and don't want to get too excited about any little improvements but he does seem brighter today. On his evening weighing tonight he was 151g which is the first time he has be over 150g since he fell ill. He was 168g before then. Charlotte was 690g! Matilda is 472g which is not bad given her wobbly start and the fact she is 2 days younger. They do seem to put on about 10% of the body weight each day which is fairly amazing!
The girls are still on antibiotics as they only started on Thurs. Their breathing seems better but has taken longer to respond than with William. It is only William who has had the problems with weight though. I have stopped his antibiotics after a week as his breathing seems pretty much back to normal and I was a bit worried that his lack of appetite might have been due to them. He does seem to be eating more since stopped.
Thanks for all your messages. 8)
-
He really is so much smaller isn't he. I hope he's turned the corner now.
-
I think I'm becoming a bit obsessed with his weight! I'm going to give him a complex if I weigh him any more frequently. ???
One of our neighbours popped round today and was having a look at him. She said "Oh, he'll have to be an Easter goose as he'll never be ready for Christmas." :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:
What a terrible thing to say in front of him, I'll never get him to eat if he thinks I'll eat him when he gets fat! I have of course explained the wonderful life he has ahead with lots of grass and girls and a pond. :D
-
William is too young to understand what the nasty lady said. I hope the sunshine did the trick and he starts to put on weight so he can enjoy being out on the grass. ;)
-
If he ever needs a home, I can give him one, all the grass he could want, couldnt say the same for the sunshine though, couldnt give him a wife either, but a fairly happy life
:) :)
-
He's definitely got a home for life here. :D The plan was to be a breeding pair or trio but as these 3 are siblings or cousins I will try and get another gander later in the year for one of the girls and William can have his pick of the others.
Not that I am looking forward to doing all this again!
-
He's definitely got a home for life here. :D The plan was to be a breeding pair or trio but as these 3 are siblings or cousins I will try and get another gander later in the year for one of the girls and William can have his pick of the others.
Not that I am looking forward to doing all this again!
probably not, but I bet this is Williams claim to fame, I bet he dont get as much attention when his is bigger and older (unless its from the ladies but he will live off these threads for years) :)
-
Absolutly! :D
That being said Brecon Buffs are very handsome geese but there is nothing like a near death experience in my house for avoiding the pot! My old drake Patrick was due to head for the pot but after spending about a fortnight nursing him over a fox attack and it was clear he was going to be with us for life!
-
He's still hanging in there isn't he :) Hope he does start to put on some weight soon as he will have really turned the corner then. After all the nursing he has had, he's going to be a mummy's boy for life I think ;) :)
-
he's going to be a mummy's boy for life I think ;) :)
I certainly think so! I had thought that the trauma of having antibiotics and force feeding him would have put him off me but it seems imprinting really works! He still is the one who come up to the side of the run first and peeps at me till I pick him up. We are both enjoying it more now that is not followed by the force feeding!
This mornings momentous news is that for the first time he has put on weight overnight rather than losing it!!! Wish there was a dancing for joy emoticon!
-
that is great news
Just an aside, this has been a great post, worries, and then updates, now good news
Have to be one of the best threads I have folowed
Thanks for keeping it all updated :)
-
I think you're doing a fabulous job.
I can empathise about the stressing over a baby though - I'm a surrogate mum to 4 23day old kittens - luckily Momma Cat is still feeding them but I'm feeding her!!
Keep doing what you're doing and William will be a great little gander and not for easter or Christmas ;)
-
Wish there was a dancing for joy emoticon!
You can share mine Kate :)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Emoticons/happy093.gif) (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/suec_02/media/Emoticons/happy093.gif.html)
Yay! William is putting on weight :D
-
Wish there was a dancing for joy emoticon!
You can share mine Kate :)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Emoticons/happy093.gif) (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/suec_02/media/Emoticons/happy093.gif.html)
That is funny
Why cant a gander enjoy Christmas and Easter ?
-
Wish there was a dancing for joy emoticon!
You can share mine Kate :)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Emoticons/happy093.gif) (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/suec_02/media/Emoticons/happy093.gif.html)
That is funny
Why cant a gander enjoy Christmas and Easter ?
He hopefully can as he won't be on the dinner table. ;)
-
He probably be on the table, the chairs, on the floor and generally causing havoc, as a gander can :) :) :)
-
Wish there was a dancing for joy emoticon!
You can share mine Kate :)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Emoticons/happy093.gif) (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/suec_02/media/Emoticons/happy093.gif.html)
Yay! William is putting on weight :D
LOVE IT!
Well we have passed another milestone in that he has now not only regained all the weight he had lost but has put more on so officially on the mend! 175g!
The other 2 are also doing OK. Not 100%, still puffing a bit but better than they were. Vet said complete a week at least having initially said 5 days and then reassess. Said he thought I should have enough antibiotics as he had given me a bit extra and had to tell him that I had just run out as they had doubled their weight in the last 4 day so I had had to incrementally increase their dose as by weight!
They all look pretty good considering the vet is surprised that they aren't all dead! Pretty miserable weather here so they have just had a bit of a run round the kitchen and utility room. I love the way they run round. When they build up a bit of speed they stick out their stumpy little wings and always remind me of kids running round pretending they are aeroplanes! And yes, they might end up in the kitchen at easter or Christmas but they're never going to be eaten. :D
-
Keep the good news coming Kate. :)
-
You could start a kids story book about him, 'The Adventures of William, a winner of a Gander'
:) :) :)
-
You could start a kids story book about him, 'The Adventures of William, a winner of a Gander'
:) :) :)
Has just been done by a westcountry author and artist - it was on our local news tonight oddly enough!! ::)
-
You could start a kids story book about him, 'The Adventures of William, a winner of a Gander'
:) :) :)
Has just been done by a westcountry author and artist - it was on our local news tonight oddly enough!! ::)
Have you any links, names or even a link to the 'local' news ?
Is it about William or another gander ?
-
You could start a kids story book about him, 'The Adventures of William, a winner of a Gander'
:) :) :)
Has just been done by a westcountry author and artist - it was on our local news tonight oddly enough!! ::)
Have you any links, names or even a link to the 'local' news ?
Is it about William or another gander ?
No,not William.
If you go to the BBC website and look under Devon and Cornwall, the story should be there.
-
So pleased to hear William has regained his weight and is really progressing now :D
-
Couldnt find anything, but it is still a thought for a lcal school, or if you have kids, grand kids, and you have the lad himself :)
-
Couldnt find anything, but it is still a thought for a lcal school, or if you have kids, grand kids, and you have the lad himself :)
I couldn't find it either.
-
Is this them?
http://www.laurawall.com/?p=806
-
It could be, but that is from someones imagination, yours would be a REAL story :) :) :) :)
-
Is this them?
http://www.laurawall.com/?p=806
That's them - they do look cute! Might have to get them for my goddess-daughter ;)
But true pepsi100 - Kate's geese story would make a great tale - and there are plenty of cat and dog true life tales about - it would be nice to see one about a dinky gander! :D
-
Well some very sad news. I came down yesterday morning and found that William had died over night.
He had been doing so well but on Wednesday night he had not looked as well as the last few days but not terrible. I restarted him on antibiotics but clearly was not meant to be.
It's been really upsetting losing one I've tried so hard with but I know there is nothing more I could have done. just really sad that it wasn't enough. Just hoping that the others will be ok.
-
Ah, I am really sorry to hear about this :( :(
As you know I have been following this tale, and this is really sad news and yes I know he was just a gander, but I think all who read about his fight was rooting for him (I know I was)
Again sorry to hear about William, but I really hope the others are doing well :)
-
That's so sad Kate. :(
As a surrogate mother myself at the moment (to lil' kitties) I can understand how upset you must be.
You did your absolute best m'dear.
Thanks for letting us know.
William was a grand little gander :)
Take care.
Emma x
-
RIP William, a short life but much loved by your human Mummy. :(
-
Oh Kate I am so sorry he didn't make it,but he couldn't have had any one fight harder for him than you.
-
:( so sorry. Been following his story x
-
You really did do everything you possibly could for little William to give him a chance, but it was obviously not to be :( At least he had a bit of time with you and couldn't have been better looked after :)
-
Thank you so much everyone. Still really sad but glad he had a bit of time on the grass and in the sunshine.
The vet had previously suggested that if one of them died sending for a post mortem which might help the others but I couldn't quite bring myself to do it so he is buried in the little wildflower meadow at the bottom of the garden with a big clump of pink and purple aguilegia to mark him.
-
I love the little bonnets on aquilegia they remind me of fairies hats so he will be safe with the fairies looking over him. ;)
I hope this hasn't put you off though, they must be a rare breed as I couldn't see many on line when I looked last week. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for your remaining two. :)
-
Thats nice, a place to remember hin by :(
BUT now how are the rest getting on ?
Getting big now I hope :)
(were these geese or more ganders ?)
Have they started to get scruffy yet ? :) (new feathers?)
-
The others are doing well so far. Still seem a little puffed at times but they are growing like mad. The slightly older one has just got the beginnings of her big girl feathers coming through but haven't reached that adolescent scruffy stage. :tongue2:
-
So sorry to hear about William. He couldn't have asked for a more attentive owner in the short life he had.
-
Well the 2 remaining girls seem to be doing very well and are growing at a pace. Charlotte is still a lot bigger but she is also 2 days older and didn't seem to be as ill. Matilda for renamed Flora by my mum as she really likes eating the heads off buttercups and dandelions (Flora, not my mum!). It does suit her much better.
Took them back to the vets on Tues for a check up as I didn't really trust myself as was getting very paranoid after William died. The vet said he if didn't know their history he would have said they were completely normal healthy goslings. :D
I have to commend our vets - Border Vets in Oswestry, especially Ken McBrien, who were fab. I couldn't have asked for a better service. Not always easy to find good poultry vets as many of us know but think without them would have probably lost all 3. More touchingly they really seemed to care about them which is always really nice.
Now I just need to find a boy or two to keep them company next year ;)
-
this is great news, I was going to ask how the others were getting on, glad things are going well
will it be another hatch or are you going to buy a gander ?
I hope William hasnt put you off hatching eggs ;)
-
Really pleased the two girls are fit and well :D
I think we may need updated pictures just to put us totally at ease you know ;) :)
-
Think I'm going to buy a gander and then hatch my own next year!
Would like to find goslings of a suitable age to bring up with the girls but that may be difficult with a rare breed especially trying to find unrelated animals. if i can't find goslings will look to buy an adult gander in the autumn.
It has been a bit traumatic hatching but think I will have forgotten all about that by next year and the joy of having the goslings definitely outweighs the heartache.
-
That is good news Kate, glad they are doing well. The only ones I have seen advertised are in Wales so it would depend how far you can travel for them. Good luck with your search.
Your vet sounds really good and it is always a comfort to know you will get good treatment when you have an ill bird. You can put the details on the Poultry Friendly Vets thread HERE (http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26140.0) and hopefully others who need a good vet will go to them. ;)
-
Well they look better and better at the moment. They are out all day pretty much now while we are in. Not entirely sure what I am going to do next week. They have a nice big are to roam but they can get out through the fencing at the moment due to size and not entirely sure they are crow or feral cat proof yet so think they will have to stay in the moveable run which is a bit small but better they are safe.
Flora had a very funny moment today when a friend visited with her dog and she hissed at it like a proper goose!
-
That is great news (dont know if the dog thought the same) they'l soon be geting into the grass then :) :)
-
Well they're on the grass most of the day at the moment. They have their own, specially mown little area with sunshine and shade and their little paddling pool all of which they pretty much ignore!
They are very fond of sitting under the car picking bits of grass from the drive or on the patio under the washing line!
They are such a joy and I am starting to relax a little. They have been off antibiotics for 4 days now and nothing has happened. Chest still clear and growing well.
ANHBUC, think I've seen the people in Wales. The people at Machnylleth? We have been leaving messages on each others phones at the moment but looks like all their goslings are hybrids and really would prefer a pure bred and do my bit to help an endangered native rare breed. there is always the possibility of getting a husband for my other 2 girls of course so might wander down there. It's only about an hour away.
The other option is contacting Chris Ashton but the gander that was the father of these came from her apparently so it's if I can get an unrelated male ideally.
-
When I had a goose, :) I think she had a fear of water, she wouldnt go near the pond, but if there was a puddle, she would happily splash in that, we tried many times to get her in the pond, never did work :(
-
They do seem to prefer sitting in their water bowl (well its a seed tray really but hey ho).
We have a huge pond here with a couple of islands here but trying to get it into shape at the moment - another thread when I get round to sorting pics etc (might do without and just ask the questions!). It's been really neglected so is a bit of a battle to try and drag is back from being a stagnant, stinking swamp to something lovely. Not sure I would dare let the goslings onto it as think they would just sink into the mire. Then again the mallard and her little babies seem to be managing!
-
I think you might find this handy then
(http://i1017.photobucket.com/albums/af297/pepsi666/4c74053c-c824-4754-9b7a-1849a3088915_zpsca8e7f46.jpg) (http://s1017.photobucket.com/user/pepsi666/media/4c74053c-c824-4754-9b7a-1849a3088915_zpsca8e7f46.jpg.html)
So I guess having flat feet does have some advantage :)
-
:D :D :D
-
That's not a round tuit.
THIS is a round tuit:
;) :lol: :lol:
(Sorry it's a bit blurred, couldn't work out how to get an unblurred one).
-
oh, well now you got 2, looks like its going to be a busy weekend in the garden sorting out the pond ;)
-
:lol:
-
Here is something that will help with your 'round tuit'.
-
That would certainly get things moving! Especially as my chest waders have sprung a leak.
It is getting there bit by bit. I'm actually pretty pleased with the progress so far but it's amazing the state that the previous owners let it get into. It's surrounded with willow and they have just thrown any cuttings straight into the pond and they are all sprouting and rooting. :wub: Getting them out has been more than a little challenging.
This is the progress so far. I know it doesn't look like much but 2 days ago it was entirely covered with nettles, thistles, dock, willow and hawthorne saplings.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0294_zps403e2dc6.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/katemerriman/media/IMG_0294_zps403e2dc6.jpg.html)
-
That is going to be a lovely site when it's finished Kate.
Your ducks will love it! :D
-
That is going to be a lovely site when it's finished Kate.
Your ducks will love it! :D
And the geese, if they can be tempted into the water :)
-
I hope so. It's so beautiful here but just a bit unloved. I think it just got on top of the previous owners and getting back in control is no easy thing! I have been putting off the pond as it just seemed like such a huge task. It has been described as sterile as it seemed so lifeless when we first got here.
Spring and early summer has brought so much in terms of wildlife. We have a mallard and 2 ducklings, there are dragonflies and a little bank of red campion which is lovely. It really gave be a big boost to getting going and hopefully can nudge it in the right direction without damaging whats already there.
The ducks and geese will be allowed very limited access!
-
And why she's called Flora.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm5/katemerriman/IMG_0288_zps4e59f48c.jpg) (http://s292.photobucket.com/user/katemerriman/media/IMG_0288_zps4e59f48c.jpg.html)
-
She does your heart good as well :)
-
You really have your work cut out for you there but have made a good start.
We put off clearing out our man made pond until last weekend due to the horrid Spring. It is no where near the size of yours but still took nearly a day to sort. We leave all the overgrown plants on the side for a few hours so all the critters can make their way back in to the pond. We can actually see our fish now we have managed to remove the blanket weed. We have had some damsel flies hatch out this year but no sign of the dragonflies yet.
Everything is so late, the Cotton Grass is only just out and the Water Avens are finally flowering. At least it is looking more like a pond now as some of our new hens landed on it the other week thinking it was lawn!!! ::) I did find out that they are really good swimmers though. :lol:
-
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Luckily no blanket weed and think I have a solution for the duck weed! :D
Today is another day to tackle the pond having hopefully repaired the hole in my waders with a bike puncture repair kit and the trench foot has dried out a bit! ;)
Last day of holidays so the goslings will have to get used to their little covered run until I'm sure they're big enough not to get eaten or into too much trouble while we are at work. Think there will be some serious sulking about that!
-
Well a little earlier than planned but the goslings are spending their first night out of the house. Not really out side, they are in their new house in the stables with lots of bedding so they will be toasty warm. It was going to happen the end of this week as the ducklings are due to hatch on Thursday.
They had other ideas and I came home tonight to 2 feisty little guys in the incubator. They are full of beans so fingers crossed they will do well. A few more have pipped so hopefully more on the way. And I didn't think these has much chance of hatching as they have come through the post and their air sacs have looked very weird - irregular and far too large from the beginning of incubation, like the membranes had been pulled or shaken away from the shell.
They are Saxonys which are beautiful so happy girl tonight.
-
And the geese, if they can be tempted into the water :)
[/quote]
Kate very kindly rehomed my 2 geese last year, there'll be no problem getting them into the water, it's getting them out she might have a problem with, they love being in the water. :D
Flora is beautiful.
-
Its great things are going well, a shame the little lad aint there to take part in it
Are we going to photos of this little lot growing up as well ?
I have given up buying eggs online now, just too many just dont work out, I have now found an auction where I can buy the eggs, see them, touch them and can even speak to the owner, all I gotta do is bid the best price and get em home (without Postman Pat lobbing them about)
-
I certainly agree that the post is a complete lottery. I have had some great hatches and dozens that were infertile.
The goose eggs I collected in person as it was just too much of an investment to trust to the post. I really wanted to hatch some more Saxony's as they are such lovely ducks and would like to breed them but the 2 I have are related. I bought 2 dozen eggs earlier in the year and only 3 were fertile which all died with in the power cut!. Decided to have a final go and bought another 2 doz, including 6 from the people I bought from last year as they hatched really well.
This time I have 20 fertile! Don't know what will happen with all these odd air sacs but 4 out already so even if that's all, better than nothing. Although a lot of it is chance and the post and packing I do think that the breeder has something to do with it. I have been very impressed with A and J poultry. I don't think their eggs were packed any better than any of the others but all except 1 (over both years) have been fertile so suspect really do send fresh eggs as they all promise and are from healthy, well kept animals.
Fingers crossed for the rest of the eggs.
-
mmm, funny thing is, the buyers online (on ebay) who I have bought eggs from stop selling eggs not long after I tell them the results of the eggs I bought from them, now I leave that upto anyones thoughts about those sellers
The first lot of eggs I bought online there (many years ago) I had great results, 6 out of 6, even that seller has stopped sellewr (no longer registered with ebay)
I dont know if its the cockerel, the way they are posted or if the eggs were fertile in the first place, but buying online and using the post is a lottery, the last lot I bought, (18 eggs at a cost of £32.50) I got 3 chicks
I wasnt happy, maybe others have had better results buying eggs from sellers on ebay