Nature is Cruel

On August 2nd, I found several goose eggs that were left alone in the nest, and I could hear chirping.  I looked for the egg and found one that was almost weightless.  When I turned it over, there was a hole where the gosling had tried to get out.  I quickly finished peeling the shell away, and I found a tiny, wet cold baby.

straight out of the shell

I took it to the garage and put it under the heat lamp.  I wasn’t sure it would warm up and make it.

starting to get some strength

Goslings are tiny and fragile. It’s hard to successfully break out of the egg, and it’s even harder to survive once they make it out.  I got rid of the big, mean geese.  I had mom and baby in the chicken coop to keep it from getting stepped on by goats or llamas.  Being shut in kept it safe from hawks and raccoons and stray cats.

I was careful to make sure there wasn’t any water that it could get stuck in and drown.

I did everything I could to keep this little baby safe, but it wasn’t enough.  When I went out Friday morning, August 27th, I found that the gosling had been killed. Based on the evidence I found, I am guessing it was grabbed by a rat.

sweet little Floof: 2 Aug 2021 – 27 Aug 2021

My heart breaks for my momma goose. There was evidence that she tried to save her baby.

I will try to be extra nice to her. I’m giving her greens, and I put a pool in there for her.

I don’t know whether she would be happier staying in there with the birds or going out in the barnyard.

Hopefully, I’ll find a way to get her another nice companion.

Friday Leftovers

Well, one full week is in the books at school.  I assume I survived; although, this was prescheduled because the start of the year is always crazy.

Sky and Tiger

Mother goose and her baby

Hera and Chiffon–it’s a good thing I’m weaning kids. My moms need a break.

LilyAnn and Jasmine

Onyx

Pinta will hopefully be leaving this weekend.

The gosling likes it’s little pool.

Reva also needs a break from kids, and she will be retiring.

Sylvia. I have not had any luck (or time) getting her to tame down.

Zinnia’s kids are getting big. (Jack and Ivy)

Odie

I’m looking forward to a nice weekend.  Enjoy yours as well.

That’s Different

Last weekend when we were unloading the hay, I thought it was odd the llamas were not in the barnyard.  They didn’t show up, and eventually I decided I better find them.  I found them on the front hill.

Aurora, Odie, and Maybeline

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them out there before.

Maybeline, Aurora, and Odie

But they looked quite content, and I’m guessing they might spend a lot more time there.