There comes a time in our young poultry’s lives where they must make the transition from being human-raised babies to becoming the fowl that they’re meant to be. That time arrived recently, when the last of this season’s ganders, Eddie, Alex, and Wolfie, joined the Pilgrim gaggle.
Continue reading “Farm Fowl: The Year’s Final Gosling Integration”Category: Waterfowl
Reality Check: The Melted Farmer
As someone who currently lives in a humid subtropical region, I expect some heat and humidity in the summer. I do. But what I don’t expect is days-long stretches of heat and humidity that reach 110F with the heat index and nighttime temperatures in the 80s – heat waves that necessitate “excessive heat warnings” from the weather service that basically advise rational people to stay indoors. How, exactly, does a farmer do that?
Continue reading “Reality Check: The Melted Farmer”Around The Farm: Too Warm, A Bit Too Early
It’s a sunny Saturday here on the farm, and it’s been unusually warm. Temperatures yesterday hit 80F and are forecasted to be in the 80s (currently 84F now) for the remainder of the weekend. The combination of high humidity and temperatures makes for some uncomfortable days working outside, a reminder of the real heat and humidity that are just around the corner.
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Too Warm, A Bit Too Early”Hatch Day: The Bobbleheads Are Here!
The goslings started externally pipping yesterday (day 29), signaling that hatching was imminent. It’s technically hatch day – day 30 – for the Pilgrims, but a “normal” hatch may begin a couple of days earlier or a couple of days later. How many goslings would be in the incubator when I checked this morning?
Continue reading “Hatch Day: The Bobbleheads Are Here!”Incubation Update: Pipping Like Popcorn
Early this morning, I checked on the Pilgrim goose eggs in the hatcher – and saw external pips. It’s day 29 of incubation, and the goslings are right on track to hatch over the next couple of days. The season’s first goslings are nearly here!
Continue reading “Incubation Update: Pipping Like Popcorn”In The Incubator: First Goose Hatch Of 2022
Happiness – for me, at least – is an incubator full of goose eggs. If all goes well, in a few weeks, the fuzzy charm of baby geese will return to the farm. It’s a short hatching season, so I’ll be making the most of it!
Continue reading “In The Incubator: First Goose Hatch Of 2022”