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Ask Kelley Creek Farms -- Reader QOD

5/7/2013

 
Our Question of the Day comes to us from a not so anonymous experienced fowl keeper just getting her first taste of the joys of geese and breeding season.
Dear Goose Gurus,

I have two geese with one gander and my girls had been sharing the same nest until Carole King went all nasty and broody. I thought my 8' x 4' hoop hut was great until I had to crouch down and waddle like an over sized duck with disabilities and get to the very back corner to pick up the egg that Sylvia had layed next to the nest that Carole now claims as her own. I may not be very tall but I really prefer to be "extended" to my full 4' 11"  height when confronting what used to be a lovely goose who now is a creature from horror films on her nest. How do you mark the eggs so that you can quickly tell the difference between the ones that are supposed to be there and the newly layed egg and get out with the new one before the blood blurs your vision and you loose sight of the only way out of the hut? I have used a pencil to mark eggs but that rapidly blends in with the ..."natural patina". 

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated regarding marking eggs and best material to suppress the bleeding.

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Dear bleeding in Wisconsin:
Our fowl have seen the same movie, and while my first inclination would be to have someone else gather the eggs, sometimes they have witnessed the carnage and no longer assist a damsel in distress.
 In that case, arm yourself with a shot of whiskey, sawed off broomstick, crayons and corn starch carefully following the instructions that follow:
  • drink shot of whiskey
  • waddle to nest
  • insert broomstick in goose's mouth
  • stay vigilent for attack from the rear
  • crayon eggs to identify as necessary
  • corn starch will suppress bleeding; apply liberally upon exit

Disclaimer: While we have remained relatively unscathed, we can assume no responsibility if you injure yourself stealing and coloring eggs or for any other advice given on this website.
Worth It Farms link
5/7/2013 11:27:31 am

Poor Bleeding in Wisconsin! You could just wear very thick clothing (I prefer coveralls) to act as body at our. Maybe you could get a bite-suit like they use to train guard dogs with. :) We use colored permanent markers. We try colored pencils, markers, and crayons. None lasted long enough for us. Of course, it's much more humid here in GA so that was a big factor. Many times I have to pick the goose up off the nest and shoo her away before I can collect eggs. I still get beat up though. Best of luck!


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    Kelley Creek Farms is a small (micro really) hobby farm located in Central Alabama 30 minutes south of Birmingham. We raise heritage and rare waterfowl and poultry along with a myriad of other creatures that give the farm its life. In addition to the birds, we raise heirloom tomatoes and vegetables.

    Each day is different and brings a new set of adventures. Some make you laugh and some make you cry. Some are just plain frustrating. But we persevere knowing that tomorrow's set of problems will be completely different than today. Still figuring all this out ....one day at a time and striving for a more sustainable way of life.

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