The goose population alone is made up of the youngest brood of five which we're calling the toddlers, and the four teenagers, and the three adults.
The smallest goslings and ducklings (more about the ducklings later) were both in separate brooders in the garage until yesterday when the toddler goslings got moved outside.
Although confined for the time being to their own small enclosure, they are in the orchard pasture with the four teenagers. Although the littlest ones seem slightly curious, they may be more frightened of the bigger goslings than anything else. The bigger teenagers, on the other hand, are extremely curious about the small ones. I'm not sure if they want to make friends or eat them.
* * * * * * * *
I was out in the garden early on before breakfast this morning hoping to get a jump start on a full day of progress out there, but the black flies were very much in evidence and drove me in. I'm hoping for some kind of a weather change so I can get back out into the garden yet today. Much to do, ever and always, when it comes to a large garden!
I hope to post a garden report soon. (Black flies permitting.)
18 comments:
The geese look wonderful.
I am so glad we don't have black flies but we are dealing with 96+ degree heat so its a lot of getting up very early and then working later.
The gardens are always worth it in my mind!
That is a lot a geese! I'm so glad things seem to be going well with them. No black flies here yet this year. Most years they never get to be a problem, but once in awhile the conditions are right and they're everywhere. They do make it miserable to be out!
We have pesky yellow flies. They will bite the mess out of you, too. Hope your weather conditions improve and drive the flies away.....because I need to see a garden report. LOL!!
I'd love to get geese but it was the one thing my wife told me I was never aloud to get if we moved here!
I'm in Dubuque eating pie, so the only pesky thing for me right now is a full belly of stuff I'm not supposed to eat!
Hope you get out to the garden soon. You know how those weeds get when no one is watching.....
:)
Fiona - Oh my, 96+ degrees in June is way too hot! Be careful not to over-do it in weather like that. I hope I never have to stop gardening. Such good exercise and the food we grow ourselves can't be beat, right?
Mark - A lot of geese right now, but they will be whittled down come fall when we can make the decision as to which ones stay and which ones go!
How are you doing? Recuperating well and healing fast? Sure hope so.
Laurie - The garden report may have to wait until Tuesday as we've supposed to get heavy rains tomorrow. (Hope they drown the black flies!)
Kev - Methinks your dear wife had a bad experience with geese somewhere along the line? I know it happens . . . :o/
Sue - My weeds seem to be growing as I'm watching them this year! Take it easy on that pie. I know you make better at home anyway!
Mama Pea,
You have your hands full with all those geese!!! I know deep down how much you enjoy having them there. They sure do make great watch dogs if you know what I mean. Definitely great for security.
Black flies up your way as well. I have a couple of friends up in Canada....they have the same. It must be that time of year (a season) just for them. Soon they'll all be gone and you'll be out in the garden doing what you love the most....planting and harvesting.
Thanks for the card :-)
I'm going to send you an e-mail.
Sending hugs and love you way.
Sandy
Those dratted black flies! Lordy, how I hate them. I think the gradual introduction of your goslings (of all ages) is a perfect way to keep peace in the flock.
Sandy - As soon as the black flies abate, the mosquitoes move in. (When visiting my dad used to say they were the size of helicopters up here.) They still chomp on me, but at least they don't fly in your eyes, up your nose, in your ears as the black flies do!
Lotsa rain last night and a gray, overcast day today so I'm catching up on inside tasks. Maybe back out in the garden tomorrow.
Susan - I'm seriously questioning why we have to have black flies. Have you ever seen a magnified picture of their heads? Their mouths (or beaks or snouts or whatever you call them) actually look like saw blades. They "saw" into your skin before sucking your life's blood. No wonder they hurt so much!
I love that you have a grey goose in the mix! If chickens are anything to go by, I would keep the young geese separated for a while, still. Our older chickens were downright nasty to the young ones when they were first introduced.
Personally, I am a bit afraid of geese, as Canada geese can be quite evil at times! -Jenn
Looks like your freezer will have ample supply this coming winter. So far the bugs haven't been too bad here, although we haven't have rain either. The only pest right now is a raccoon. He destroyed my pots again. Hmpf.
Jenn - Yeah, we realize we'll have to go about the integration very carefully. That's one of the downsides of ordering birds. If they were hatched and raised right in the poultry pasture from the get-go, it would be a lot less of a problem.
Kristina - Do you have any Hav-A-Heart traps you could use to capture the raccoon(s) and then "relocate?"
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