Parent rearing geese.
We are doing rather well parent rearing goose species at the moment.
After her early first nest was lost, the female Greater Magellan sat down on 7 more eggs in April producing these gorgeous humbugs just 28 days later. With a 7 out of 7 record in their first few days, the whole family was subsequently taken to the Top Hut for security. Ideally they will be re-released at the beginning of June. The female seems to be a very natural mother, hunkering down with the babes to avoid danger and brooding them gently with comforting noises. The male on the other hand has a bit of a habit for stepping on them with very little or no remorse. Feeders have to be quite careful not to disturb them or he will aggressively honk and strut the fenceline with very little heed to who and what he tramples on whether it be the product of his sireage or not! These agressive sheldgeese species have far larger clutches of eggs than true northern geese, averaging 8 eggs per clutch instead of the standard 5 of a true goose. Unfortunately their aggressive territorial natures make rearing that many geese (especially males) a bit of an annoying conundrum... Nevertheless; gorgeous!
These Richardson's Canada geese are for more appropriately sized, and much faster growing! As a Northern hemisphere migrant their juvenile period is very fleeting to allow for rapid migration. These 4 little fatties are admirably defended by both their parents with equal gusto; flanking the babes within a ring of aggressive honking, head bowing a feather ruffling. Our little flock in the North American pen is now beginning to age, so it will be a welcome to change to introduce some babes into their little world over the next couple of months...
Other goose species that are currently on the agenda are a clutch of 11 fertile Orinoco geese, Lesser White-fronted geese and Abby blue-winged geese. Can't wait!
