Geese and ducks(day after first snow)

[Dazed_Lily]

Just a quick pic of the Canadian geese, domestic geese and yes, look along the fence in the leaves...ducks. There were some canvas backs in the pond diving but must have moved out of camera shot. This is the time of year we get the 'odd ducks' like the canvas backs and buffle heads and some I never did figure out what they were...

[Rebecca]

Cathy,

I really am quite envious of your pond and being able to have and see these beautiful birds just by looking out your window. I've missed seeing regular images of them!

This really is a nice selection of "waterfowl" and actually a good sized flock of Mallards.

How are all the "domestics" doing? I could only count 10 in the picture; is everyone still there? Especially the parent birds.

I do hope you are able to get pictures of you fall/winter visitors as I would like to see them.

The only visiting birds I was able to catch sight of this summer was a pair of Kingfishers feed at the creek for about a week before they moved on. The creek was quite full of various minnows so the feeding was good! Also got to see a female duck and a couple of her surviving ducklings, not sure what they were, Mallard or Wood Duck as the females and young all look alike to me!

Didn't hear the cranes fly over this year. Doesn't mean they didn't, just that I didn't get to hear or see them. Saw plenty of Canadian Geese (as usual). I saw a lot more in the retention pond and the field behind the old Wal-Mart when I was there.

Do show more pictures of your flocks and visitors as winter progresses and you have opportunity.

Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

Kingfishers are neat little birds. The first one I ever saw, I knew exactly what it was--looks like little king with a crown.

You would count the domestics ! There are 12--down from 13. The sick one disappeared. The last day I saw him, his flock had just made a bee-line into the water and he/she was walking to the water's edge. I recall thinking that the flock wasn't being very loyal to it. I kinda knew that things were going in the wrong direction. I think that morning I told hubby that grey goose is going to die. I do not know how he met his fate and I saw no body--not that I walked the circumference of the pond. But, I assume, that 'something' got him. It's hard for me to say all that as I am such a control freak and must make everything right but I think I just knew, on some level, that that battle was not to be fought.

The parents are both fine ! So, are you thinking more babies in the spring ?! OH my, I just don't know where they would all fit. Assuming no one takes the eggs, we could have a whole bunch more come spring.

I'll try to get more photos as winter progresses--maybe some of the migratory visitors.

[Rebecca]

I hate that the gray one died, it was my favorite one! Geese are a long-lived bird and if they were there when you got the place no telling how old they were or more specifically the gray one was. Could have been old age. Even that is hard to take, but it did look like some of the offspring might have been his/hers (I still think it was a she!)

Yep, I'm thinking there will be a new nest of gosslings in the spring, perhaps not as many as this past spring, then again, some of the young may pair off, ya never know! I do wonder how much inbreeding birds can do before problems crop up. I also wouldn't be all that surprised if some of the youngsters don't leave in the spring, especially the males. Have you thought of getting a couple of gosslings from a hatchery to have some "new blood"? Not that you really want to over populate the pond. I don't think the domestic and the Canadians are close enough genetically to inter-mate, I think you'd have to introduce another domestic breed (eventually).

Check out these breeds: American Buff, Pomeranian and Toulouse (barnyard strain) and if you like a knobby headed goose, the China Gray or Brown is nice (I had them at one time and they were so much fun!) Very regal bird even if somewhat odd looking! Of the three I mentioned I think I like the American Buff best. Really attractive color.

Of course then you'll need a few ducks (other than the Mallards and visiting wild flocks)! All domestic ducks (except the Muscovy) were developed from the good old Mallard! I didn't know that until I looked up breeds for you! American Saxony, Australian Spotted, Buff, Black East India, Cayugas (neat) and for a small duck, the Magpie Call Duck is adorable.

Here's a link to a really good site if ya wanna really look!

http://www.featherside.com/Poultry/Ducks/BRKDucks.html

I think I like the little Call Ducks best, because they are small and some are flightless.

Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

It would be fun to introduce some other breeds. Knowing me, however, I will need to know where they are 24 hours a day and become their 'Mother Hen'. I've seen eggs for sale on Ebay. Of course, you need the incubator setup and all that. Maybe I'll glance at the animals for sale section in the newspaper now and then--you never know what people might be raising. You know what I'd really like-- a peacock ! I hear they are on the obnoxious side and 'scream'(some people have even called 911 thinking it was a person in trouble). But they are kind cool and they do stick around.
Thanks for the link. So many pretty and unique breeds ! :)

[Ann B.]

Cathy,

Check this out...

Courtesy of Tom!

http://www.fujiyamagarden.com/Videos.html

[Dazed_Lily]

Thank you Tom ! I have got to watch that at work tomorrow--it is the only pc set up with the right software. So, I will watch; I promise.

Here is a photo of the geese tonight. Yes, Rebecca, there are only 11. There is another sick one--he lagged behind and worked way hard to walk across the pond on the ice--has the same symptoms as the one that died. Probably worms. And if anyone can tell me how to worm a free range domestic goose with mallard ducks underfoot, I am all ears. I am very discouraged over my inability to help them when I now know they are going to die once showing signs of illness. Sorry for the morbid commentary, here is the brood:

[Dazed_Lily]

here is the sick one, bless his heart , I didn't realize it was a sick baby-I thought it was the limping adult.

[Rebecca]

I didn't know poultry got worms or other internal parasites. Have you spoken to a Vet or Avian Specialist?Perhaps you could contact someone at a Zoo close to you, maybe they can offer some advice.

If all else fails, contact some of these on line poultry fanciers. Featherside .com seems to be fairly knowledgeable, at least they would likely know who else you could contact.

I also hate to hear another is sick and that one of the adults has a sore foot/leg. This does not bode well at all.

Do write to Featherside and see if they can point you in the right direction to find some answers.


Rebecca

[Dazed_Lily]

Thanks. I just now e-mailed them. We'll see.
Yes, worms are a big time problem with domestic geese. The more I read about how to care for domestic flocks, the more I realize how precarious their existence is when left on their own.

[Ann B.]

Oh.... That is so sad. He/she is so alone. I wonder if the others reject him or if he just cannot keep up with the others.

I do hope you can get some help for him.

Hugs!

[Dazed_Lily]

Ann- At present, he/she cannot keep up with them. Also, at least with the other one, it tended to stay away from the flock but try to stay near it.
The flock does not chase or shun it, but they do not go out of their way to 'care' for it or stay by it. I think this is a survival instinct. As an injured/weak goose will attract predators.(I emphasize the word "instinct" because I do not think they are conciously doing this).
The last time I saw the other one, the flock had left it, in a hurry,standing alongside the pond and it was walking to the water. I recall thinking that this did not look good at all.

I had to pick up HeartGuard for the dog at the vet today and they gave me a contact number for the goose problem--not very local. They will probably prove to be useless but I'll see.

[Dazed_Lily]

I also meant to mention that I see animal tracks on the pond surface. All of the geese and ducks are concentrated in one area of yet unfrozen water. Several nights I have heard dogs barking including my own. My dog only barks at other dogs(hardly at any people) when she can physically see them, so that tells me something 'canine' is out there. Coyotes and foxes do exist within the city limits and I do not doubt that they may and will visit as the waterfowl truly are 'sitting ducks.'

[Dazed_Lily]

Fed them tonight and the sick one was with them--not sure if they were here already or had to cross the pond. Baby ate some but kept a little away from the flock and at one point layed down. Before that, after I ran out of corn(another 50 pound bag -done!)-- baby came up to the fence as I rubbed my dog's tummy right next to the fence. I started talking to the goose and it just kept looking at me(it was right up against the fence), then I turned and saw most of the geese were looking at me. Then they went back to eating. But I felt like the sick one was looking for some attention/help. I told it that it knew full well that if I came near it it would run off, and I wished I could help it.
Crazy Goose Lady ! ;)