Monday, May 10, 2010

Mama Goose Had a Good Mother's Day

Mr. and Mrs. Shetland Goose had a very good hatch yesterday. Eight eggs hatched, one little gosling didn't make it.

All the time Mama Goose was setting on her eggs, she didn't want Father Goose anywhere near her. She was downright cranky whenever he showed his face.

But now that the goslings are here, she's decided he's not a bad guy to have around. Papa is being very (VERY) protective of his brood.

"Now will you bothersome people please go away and leave us alone?"

I hope to get some more pictures in the next few days when the babies are out and about more. It was only 28 degrees this morning so you can't blame them for staying under their goose down comforter.

5 comments:

You Can Call Me Jane said...

They are so sweet! We were lucky enough to gosling-sit my cousin's three baby geese the other weekend. They are so precious. Enjoy watching the new little family!

fiona@fionacampbell.ca said...

Yay! Congratulations!!! What wonderful news that you had such a great hatch! Enjoy your abundance of lovely new life :)

Chicken Mama said...

Oh, my gawd! Baby goosies are SO cute! What're you gonna do this time to prevent them from getting stepped on? Maybe you should KEEP them in that solarium until they're bigger?

Erin said...

glad you had a good hatch!

Mama Pea said...

Hi, ThyHand - And they DO grow so fast! Soon they will be looking like gawky teenagers!

Hey, Fiona - Thanks! It's the best hatch we've had in 3-4 years!

Hiya, Chickie Mama - Well, I think we'll be okay this year. Last year when we had just the two goslings, we also had the four other adult geese (that we pawned off on you) besides this mama and papa pair. And they all (including the babies) traveled around the yard in a herd with the goslings often right in the middle. We debated taking them away from Mama Goose and putting them in a brooder but Dad wanted them to be raised naturally and taught to eat grass, etc. right away. You know, raised up natural like! So with only the two adult geese, I don't think there will be nearly as much danger of them getting accidentally kicked around or stepped on.

Hey, Erin - Thanks! Would you like me to send you a couple? Three or four? Hmmm?