A Gaggle of Goslings at My Farm
We have a gaggle of fluffy goslings here at my Bedford, New York farm.
As many of you know, I’ve had Pomeranian guard geese for many years. They keep watch over my flock of chickens. They’re also my pets. I love visiting them in their enclosure, and I appreciate their beauty and their company. Last weekend, five more geese joined my family - these are Sebastopol geese. I got them from breeder Brian Tallman in Pine Plains, New York. The Sebastopol goose originated in southeastern Europe, and is named after the Russian city. These goslings will weigh 12 to 14 pounds each when mature, and have long, soft-quilled frizzled feathers, but for now, they’re nothing less than absolutely adorable.
Enjoy these photos and have a great weekend.
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- This is one of two pigeon coops at my farm. We often use this one for newly hatched chickens, peacocks or turkeys until they are big enough to join the flock.
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- Inside the coop are these beautiful Sebastopol goslings.
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- These goslings have only been here for a week, so they’re still a bit timid and run to the corner when the door to the coop is opened.
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- After a few minutes, they begin moving around the coop – they’re quite curious creatures.
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- This is unmedicated starter food for the goslings – they will eat this for a couple of weeks. Afterwards, they will get a pelleted growing food along with cracked corn and other grains.
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- They have lots of fresh water in their brooder – it is changed several times a day.
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- The Sebastopol goose is also referred to as a Danubian goose. The name ‘Danubian’ was first used for the breed in 1863 Ireland.
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- Here they are walking and exploring their surroundings. European geese descend from wild greylag geese, birds with short necks and round bodies.
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- Both males and females have pure white feathers that contrast with their bright blue eyes and orange bills and feet.
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- They have large, rounded heads, prominent eyes, slightly arched necks, and keelless breasts.
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- The plumage of the head and upper two-thirds of the neck will remain smooth, while that of the breast and underbody will become elongated and well-curled when full grown.
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- These goslings are already the best of friends – they travel together around their enclosure. Do you know… a goose is actually the term for female geese, male geese are called ganders. A group of geese on land or in water are a gaggle, while in the air they are called a skein, a team or a wedge.
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- Sebastopols are considered medium-sized birds. They are also very affectionate and kind-hearted with others in their group, or gaggle.
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- On one wall, we tied a few fresh greens for them – they love nibbling at the leaves.
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- Here, the goslings are heading over to pick at their greens and to practice their grazing.
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- They will remain in this enclosure for several weeks and then be moved into another coop where they will have access to an outdoor pen.
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- Waterfowl babies don’t need as much warmth as other birds, but they do need a little extra warmth, especially at night. The heating lamp on the left is set over the brooder to and turned on when needed.
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- Because their feathers lay loosely, Sebastopols cannot fly, but they will still flutter their wings.
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- They aren’t very loud yet, but they’re already learning how to communicate with each other. They start talking as soon as strangers enter their coop.
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- Geese can live up to 25-years old. I am looking forward to watching these beautiful babies grow and thrive here at my farm.
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