They are about as big as (fuzzy) field mice.
Yesterday, when they were one day old, she brought them out of the shelter into the big green world. The temperature didn't get above the mid-50s all day, and the grass was saturated with dew nearly all morning, but the tiny little things stayed out all day even taking a couple of short swims in the pond.
We were working in and around the garden all day, which is next to the poultry pasture, and we rarely saw the little ducklings stop to rest. They were like little wind-up toys and Mama Cayuga never gathered them to her to warm them up or seem to be too concerned.
It was moving day yesterday for the teen-aged goslings also. We put them in a new area which has a common fence with the poultry pasture. The adult geese and the teenagers all spent some time getting to know each other in an up-close and personal way.
Those are two of the adult geese on the right with Annie, Skidmore, Will and Curly on the left. The next move for the fast growing goslings will be into the big area with all the other fowl so this is a good way for everyone to get acquainted . . . with the fence in between.
That mother duck is so beautiful. I'll bet the colours come out when the sun shines on her feathers. Her babies are absolutely adorable! I love that they were swimming right away. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn - Yes, the Cayuga ducks have absolutely iridescent plumage! Only trouble is both the males and females look just alike! Hard to tell them apart.
DeleteOh, those are SO sweet. Someone would be a millionaire if they could figure out a way to keep them that size! Enjoy--they are so precious.
ReplyDeleteSue - You're right there! But think of the teeny-tiny eggs they would lay. (Hee-hee.)
DeleteOh, cute little fuzzies. It's amazing how they come here knowing instinctively what to do. Although, I'm sure mama duck still has plenty to teach them. And I had to let loose a giggle at the geese. They look like they're about to have a turf war.
ReplyDeleteLaurie - That's exactly what it looked like was happening between the geese! All the funnier because the teenage geese can't honk yet but "talk" in a funny peeping/squeaking sound!
DeleteMama Pea,
ReplyDeleteI love your little babies they're so small. Mama and Papa will take good care of them for sure. Hopefully soon it will heat up there. In the 50's is a tad chilly, I can send you some heat if you'd like :-)
Do your geese alert you if someone is on the property?
Sandy - The geese will set up an alarm if they see something different near or within their fenced in area (like a large bird overhead or a deer walking outside the fence line), but don't seem bothered by cars or people coming and going. (So much for our Guard Geese!)
DeleteSuch cute little fuzz balls? Are you raising them for meat or?
ReplyDeleteNancy - We're trying to establish a good breeding pair or two to keep for our own meat production. But it looks like that might take a couple of years to get set and in place. A neighbor is interested in taking any extras we might have for the freezer.
DeleteLovely little ducklings. No ducks here because we have a river on our land and they would end up in it. But we do have geese, and they don't bother with the river. I think it is too fast flowing for them. The photo of your geese looks exactly like ours do when they are having 'discussions', except ours are a different sort.
ReplyDeleteVera - Oh, my! I never thought about ducks getting on a river on one's property and setting sail for parts unknown! We're finding the ducks and geese so interesting to watch. I now understand the expression "silly goose." :o)
Deletethose adorable black ducks, and white geese.
ReplyDeleteWhite and Black party every day,
DDD - :o)
ReplyDelete