Last week, I was awakened by a tremendous racket. I went downstairs and opened the front door to chase the pesky geese off the porch and was greeted by...
one very tired young goose. About the most comfy nest I have ever seen!
Her first egg!
The proud boys paced back and forth (my drakes are in love with my goose, they act so put out that she will not accept their advances)
She spent about 30 minutes with her egg, one of the ducks came over to check it out and the goose bit her.
I gave her some straw, everyone had a fine time making a mess.
Tragically, this egg was consumed by my most mischievous little BC.
Two and a half days later, she laid another one in the late evening.
This egg was carried off and dropped in the grass by above mentioned dog. I did not find it until the next morning, after a night of 26 degree weather.
Smart goose, she knew this was not a wise nest place after all. I came home last night to this new nest
and one cute little egg buried in wood chips.
I have replaced that egg with the frozen one and want to keep it in a safe place.
If I keep taking her eggs will she lay too many since she won't know when to stop (will she keep thinking "I don't have enough yet.")?
Where should I store them? What temperature?
I have a hold on The Book of Geese at the library, but I need some quick advice in the meantime.
I may try to hatch a couple eggs under a hen if I get a broody. I do not have an incubator (no willpower to prevent excess hatching of things).
If not, I will ship or let someone pick these up to try to hatch. She is just 10 months old, so I don't expect great fertility from what I have read.
one very tired young goose. About the most comfy nest I have ever seen!
Her first egg!
The proud boys paced back and forth (my drakes are in love with my goose, they act so put out that she will not accept their advances)
She spent about 30 minutes with her egg, one of the ducks came over to check it out and the goose bit her.
I gave her some straw, everyone had a fine time making a mess.
Tragically, this egg was consumed by my most mischievous little BC.
Two and a half days later, she laid another one in the late evening.
This egg was carried off and dropped in the grass by above mentioned dog. I did not find it until the next morning, after a night of 26 degree weather.
Smart goose, she knew this was not a wise nest place after all. I came home last night to this new nest
and one cute little egg buried in wood chips.
I have replaced that egg with the frozen one and want to keep it in a safe place.
If I keep taking her eggs will she lay too many since she won't know when to stop (will she keep thinking "I don't have enough yet.")?
Where should I store them? What temperature?
I have a hold on The Book of Geese at the library, but I need some quick advice in the meantime.
I may try to hatch a couple eggs under a hen if I get a broody. I do not have an incubator (no willpower to prevent excess hatching of things).
If not, I will ship or let someone pick these up to try to hatch. She is just 10 months old, so I don't expect great fertility from what I have read.
