And we have a roof! If we hadn’t had rain this past weekend, it might have even gotten finished.
That is a cute line (duck, buck, goose), but I didn’t make it up. Someone said that in the comments the other day about the duck ‘n’ buck yard, which reminded me of how much I wanted geese. I’ve thought for a long time about adding a few geese to our farm. I love geese. However, I had made a pact with myself and everyone around me that I wasn’t adding any “fowl” to the farm this year. We have more chickens (and chicken eggs) than we need, and we have just enough ducks.
Ducks, partying after they learn the duck ‘n’ buck yard is nearly ready for them.
But someone was very, very bad and presented me with a gosling order they had made as a gift for my birthday! So it’s not my fault. I’m getting geese! They should arrive today.
Ducks: “Geese? What you talkin’ about, Willis?”
The geese are being shipped from Holderrread Waterfowl Farm and Preservation Center. (All the way from Oregon!) Dave Holderread is the author of several Storey books on ducks and geese, and they do a lot of work in the conservation of rare breeds. They sell purebred, and in many cases, show quality waterfowl, so their prices aren’t cheap, but you can get a “bargain” assortment of the take-what-you-get, and that is what is coming. Four little goslings–and they are surprises! Since they are purebreds, though, we shouldn’t have much trouble figuring out what they are once they mature.
They’re being shipped as day-olds, so they will need to be kept in a brooder, of course, and eventually in the chicken yard as they grow. When they’re big enough, they’ll join the ducks and bucks in the duck ‘n’ buck yard.
I’ll keep calling it the duck ‘n’ buck yard because duck ‘n’ buck ‘n’ goose yard is a mouthful, plus I don’t want to hurt the ducks’ feelings. They thought they were getting the pond all to themselves. They are just about to get rid of those nasty chickens and NOW THIS! Geese moving into their pond before they’ve even gotten on it!
This coming weekend will be a big moving party–the ducks and bucks will move into their new digs. Poky and Jack may also go down to the meadow bottom this weekend. Not sure how much we have time to accomplish all in one weekend, but soon the cows (both!) will be moving back to Beulah Petunia-land. Glory Bee is big enough to be confined by the electric fence out there now and the goat mommies want their yard back to themselves. A new divider fence will be going up in BP-land to allow for separation–and milking. (That may or may not be ready this weekend, so we’ll have to see. Might have to wait a little longer on the cow move.) A lot going on here. It’s spring on the farm!
Make it stop raining. We’ve got stuff to do.
Alison says:
Geese are good alarm and protection animals. I look forward to pictures when you get them.
On April 13, 2011 at 1:44 am
Teri says:
I’ll take the rain at this point – we’re bracing for our first spring snow storm. One of those “we’re not sure where it’s heading” type of storm. Unfortunately not unusual for the kids out here to have their first snow day in April. One year it was May! I miss my goose – wanted to get some more but settling for my new chicks for this year.
On April 13, 2011 at 5:39 am
Gail says:
Suzanne, You are going to love your geese they make great pet’s/friend’s. I have 6 african goose eggs in the incubator d/t hatch the 21st. George and Mother Goose are the eggs parents. George and Mother Goose belong to a friend and were raised with tender loving care, they are 9 years old. When someone enters the goose yard they approach and bow their heads waiting to be petted. Good Luck with your new babies will be watching for updates on their arrival and upbringing.
p.s.
Do you have peafoul on your wish list ?
On April 13, 2011 at 7:22 am
Karen Anne says:
I’m thinking a map might be nice 🙂 I am losing track of where everyone will be, how close to the house they are, etc.
On April 13, 2011 at 7:38 am
Tracey In Paradise Pa. says:
How exciting! I love geese..Ok I love all furry and feathered friends. Can’t wait to see your new birthday presents.
Granny Trace
http://www.grannytracescrapsandsquares.com
On April 13, 2011 at 7:58 am
wildcat says:
Congrats on the new additions! Now you will have ducks AND geese! More critters to take cute pictures of! :snoopy:
On April 13, 2011 at 8:06 am
Cheryl LeMay says:
I love geese too.My oldest one died this past winter so I’m ordering more.They’re good grazers and prefer grass to grain.Be sure to handle them when they’re young so they will be more friendly.
On April 13, 2011 at 8:46 am
holstein woman says:
Terrific Suzanne, more friends for you and followers when you go out. I know you will enjoy geese. They are on my list also, but this year is the adition of ducks and turkeys. Blessings lady!
On April 13, 2011 at 9:13 am
Kathi says:
PLEASE send your rain to Oklahoma. We will take any and all rain!
On April 13, 2011 at 9:23 am
Jeanne says:
I bet the goats will be happy not to have to roam with the dinosaurs anymore. The ducks of course will be delighted to have water they can sit in to their hearts content. Flagging (tieing strips of cloth) to the new fence in BP land would be a good idea. Even the calmest of cows can get the spring sillies when there is fresh green grass, sunshine and a frisky calf in the pasture with her. She wouldn’t be expecting a fence there and she could go through it before she even realizes it is there. Also I know this may sound a little mean but Glory Bee needs to learn what an electric fence is before you put her in the pasture. She was able to go where ever she pleased before winter and she will remember that. Cows have excellent memories except in cases of returning to the pasture through the same open gate/fence break they left from. Then they have short term memory loss, who
knew that gates work both ways. 😆 The odds are good that she will be through that electric fence before you can blink and given her size she will probably rip it down in the process. We use to introduce the heifers to the hot wire when they went out on pasture the first time. We had an advantage though in that their first pasture was fenced with woven wire and had a hot wire on their side to keep the horse and heifers from rubbing/leaning on it. We would lead the heifers in one at a time and made sure they touched that wire so that they knew the fence would bite. Of course some would have to test it on all sides before they would leave the fence alone, but for most one or two zaps and they knew the boundries. Before they were released into the larger pasture, which only had 2 strands of wire around most of it, dad would put a strand of wire fence up in the small pasture. We would flag it and the heifers would of course have to investigate the flags. In the process they learned other types of fences would bite too. We generally had more escapes from gates left open than fence breaks. Of course if the power was off for extended time then all heck would break loose. Then there was Hilary, who never met a fence that didn’t call to her to jump it. The only thing that stopped her was the last month or two of carrying a calf.
On April 13, 2011 at 9:43 am
Ramona says:
Since we are making a hay field it won’t quit raining. After the dang thing is planted it probably won’t rain at all…..
On April 13, 2011 at 10:08 am
Nancy Stickler says:
I love my geese! Noisy as heck, but I love them! My ducks and geese live together and I’m not so sure they know they are different. They are one happy flock. I have a Mama goose sitting on duck eggs at the moment…we’ll see. Enjoy the babies!
On April 13, 2011 at 10:28 am
B. Ruth says:
Will Coco be staying down at the duck and buck yard?
Just wondered since your ducks disappeared down there once before and since your lambs disappeared lately!
On April 13, 2011 at 10:32 am
Lisa says:
I LOVE geese I have grey and buff saddleback pomeranians, buff americans, embden, and toulouse. The heaviest breed if you’re looking for meat are the pomeranians, and the most lovely to watch are the embden w/their lovely blue eyes. They are super hardy and unlike other baby fowl they love to be held when they are little, if you stay w/them they will follow you around and love you forever and ever 🙂 They are also brilliant lawn mowers which we supplement w/whole corn. Also when they are babies give them lettuce and see the happy squeals they make 🙂
On April 13, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Barbee' says:
I just recently watched the movie “Friendly Persuasion” and Samantha the goose stole the show.
On April 13, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Window On The Prairie says:
You can give us some of your rain if you like. We are dry drier driest here. :sun:
On April 13, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Merino Mama says:
Poor ducks, well maybe they can enjoy their private pond before the geese get grown. I’m wondering, along with B. Ruth, if Coco will be on guard down there. :pawprint:
On April 13, 2011 at 2:52 pm
bonita says:
Karen Anne: Me too, I’ve drawn a sketch map and every time Suzanne introduces a farm location, I try to guess where it might be!
On April 13, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
I’ll do a farm map post soon!
On April 13, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Martha in KS says:
“Duck, buck, goose” is a great line & I made the comment. You’re welcome to use it, but remember how PO’d you were when your photos weren’t acknowledged? Kinda feeling the same.
On April 13, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Martha, I’m sorry you were offended. I often refer to comments, forum posts, etc, made on this website. I acknowledged that the line came from a comment on a previous post. It’s not comparable to a magazine stealing my photograph. I own this website, so it’s within my rights to refer to comments posted on it. Referring to a comment made on my website isn’t stealing.
On April 13, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Martha in KS says:
Maybe not stealing, but Miss Manners wouldn’t be happy.
On April 14, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Hi, Martha. I’m very sorry that you’re offended. I stated quite openly at the top of the post that “duck, buck, goose” was a reference from a comment. I find your current comments a little shocking. If you have a problem, feel free to email me. I’m not going to address it further here.
On April 14, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Tom B says:
Guess Martha told you! Lighten up & smell the ducks, bucks & geese.
On April 15, 2011 at 6:28 pm