The goslings are hatching.

So far three goslings have made their way out of the nest.  The Mother has stayed on her eggs longer that I've expected. The other 4 adults have been taking care of the three that are out of the nest.  I suspect that one of the other geese has been laying eggs this whole time, so the hatch may be staggered. 

As evidenced by this photo.

Also a surprise, none of the goslings appear to be solid white.  Looks like two buff and one Grey. 

oh my, what a broody goose.

She's been on her eggs pretty tight for two days now.  I'm not sure how many are under her but it can't be more than 10.  Seems to be a pretty cozy place to go broody. I guess we'll have goslings in about a month.  Maybe she's not broody at all, just trying to get away from her gander, who has plucked out nearly all of her head feathers during breeding. A month from now, this girl won't be left with anything but a sun-burned bald spot and a handful of babies to cart around!

The geese are laying

At last count there were 6 eggs in the goose house, and 2 more that I took into the house.  The two geese in the photo above came from the swap days in Lucasville OH (which is this weekend BTW) last year as goslings.  They used to follow me around the yard and use me as their personal jungle gym.  Now whenever they see me without corn in a bucket they hiss at me and just run away.  It is easy to tell by this photo the sexes of these geese, Look at the back of the white one's head.  Feathers missing is a pretty good sign that some breeding is more than likely going on.

It's sort of dark in there, But you can see at least one of the geese will hatch off her babies in this nest. Nest boxes for all the birds are high on the priority list for the next couple of weeks, as we have divided up breeding groups.  Purebreed eggs will be available for hatching in the next week or so.

first goose egg.

Finally, the geese have started to lay their massive eggs.  Sorry this one is so dirty.  We'll probably incubate some of these eggs, but also let the geese do some setting if they get the urge.  The adult white pair will more than likely be for sale after I get a batch of gosling from them.  Five adult geese is too many.

birds

Here's what the turkey hen looks like when she's not under a clothes basket.

And a tom that is happy when she's not.

Here's what they look like when they've just gone to bed.

They have to share this bed with a whole bunch of banties. 

On nights when it rains, they prefer the comforts of a more traditional chicken coop...otherwise the apple tree is good enough. added to the list of chores...prune apple tree.

The geese have definately started breeding.  Anyday now there should be eggs waiting for us out there.

The chickens (big stock and banties) have also started  to gear up with their egg production.mmm.