Starting from number six there are five new photographs on the Photo Page.
The Goose in her frock.
4 more weird and wonderful creatures collected from the sea bed from on board Rogers ship the RRS James Cook. Carol Wolves
At about 6.30pm last evening when we went to put the Geese away we found one had blood on her breast. On closer inspection we found that she had an open wound all from the top to the bottom of the breast. All of her breast flesh could be seen where loose skin had flapped open. Close by the edge of the Stable corral area, was what at first looked like a dead Dove, we found a very large clump of Goose feathers attached to a small piece of Goose skin. We did not see how the injury happened but it was a Goose that would try to steal Branstons feed as he was eating. We can only assume that Branston had kicked out and his hoof had just glanced the front of the Gooses chest. If a kick had hit the Goose full on she would have been dead. Although only a small piece of skin had been torn off the whole of the breast was open.
We phoned the Veterinary, he was just on his way to call out, to a Bull who had tried to mount another Bull that had caused a lot of swelling to his bits. So the Veterinary would not be back to the Surgery until 9.pm. Just as I was going to feed the Badgers we got the call telling us to make our way to the Surgery in Minehead that is about 20 miles away. Feeding the Badgers delayed getting away by 10 minutes and some how we managed to get behind the slowest driver I have ever met on the Minehead Road. There are not many overtaking places on the road and the dithering slow driver was making a 25 minute journey a marathon. A traffic lighted roadworks that I would normally curse made it possible to push in front when the lights were against us. The driver wasn’t best pleased. The Goose was a good passenger once we had covered it head. Daft when you think about it. If some put a bag over our head all hell would let loose, but the Goose hardly made a murmur once it was on.
The Veterinary was a little wary that the Goose would peck him as he made an examination but she was very good considering her ordeal and the journey. The wound was cleaned and it was obvious that the flaps could be stitched together. It wouldn’t be pretty as there were feather stumps in her skin and feathers in the way that would have caused the Goose a lot of pain if they were plucked. It took over 20 stitches to close the injury. Other than a few little honks she was a very good patient. After being given an injection of pain killer and antibiotics we made our way home. Guess what, I reckon that we must have met the slow drivers brother who we met on the way to the Veterinaries on the way back to the Farm. This time we were no able to pass and we arrived home after 11.pm.
We had to give the wound some protection against dirt and the Goose preening herself. A pillow case seemed the answer and after cutting it about for the Gooses legs and head it was fitted over her. Although she was looking a bit uncomfortable after her ordeal she was housed with the other Geese. I checked on her after midnight and she was looking a bit better. This morning I was wondering what I was going to meet when we let the Geese out, as usual she was very sprightly coming out with the other Geese but dressed in her pillow case. I am going to give her antibiotics for a few days and as long as the wound does not get infected she should make a full recovery.
At the time of putting tonights Diary on at 5. pm the Goose is still looking alright.