Last fall a family friend dropped off two African Geese, male and female, at our house! I was thrilled, but really have no idea what I'm getting into. The goose randomly starting laying eggs in the middle of winter, which I quickly gathered. I live in Wisconsin and this past winter was not a nice one! I have a two room chicken coop. I have recently added 11 baby chicks to my flock, and put them in one room where the other 4 chickens (1 rooster and 3 hens) can see them. So that left the other room for the chickens to roost and lay in their boxes on the wall, and my 5 ducks and 2 geese to sleep at night. But since I moved the adult birds into one room, my geese do no go in at night. I think its because they are afraid of the rooster, who chases them around the yard daily.
Now, about 5 days ago, my goose laid 2 eggs. I don't know much about geese and have never seen a broody bird before (this is my first full year with birds). Every night when I get home from work at 1130, both geese are still outside, so I know she isn't sitting on them consistently. Are the eggs going to still be good? Should I take them out and keep them cool until she is broody? I was kind of hoping she would take care of things on her own. Should I let her do her thing and not intervene?
This morning before work, I went to feed the birds, and again the goose and gander were out in the yard, however, she had taken the straw and made a big nest around the eggs and covered them with straw. I didn't check to see if she laid another one though. I think I am just going to leave her alone and hope the eggs are viable.
My concern is that one of two things may happen: either she will not feel comfortable sitting in the coop with the chickens and ducks trying to come in and out every night and won't sit on them. Or, she will sit on them and not allow the other birds to come in at night lol. I don't want to move her nest...
Who knew there was so much to geese! Its stressful! lol but I love it!
Thanks for any help/suggestions. Sorry for the long read...
Now, about 5 days ago, my goose laid 2 eggs. I don't know much about geese and have never seen a broody bird before (this is my first full year with birds). Every night when I get home from work at 1130, both geese are still outside, so I know she isn't sitting on them consistently. Are the eggs going to still be good? Should I take them out and keep them cool until she is broody? I was kind of hoping she would take care of things on her own. Should I let her do her thing and not intervene?
This morning before work, I went to feed the birds, and again the goose and gander were out in the yard, however, she had taken the straw and made a big nest around the eggs and covered them with straw. I didn't check to see if she laid another one though. I think I am just going to leave her alone and hope the eggs are viable.
My concern is that one of two things may happen: either she will not feel comfortable sitting in the coop with the chickens and ducks trying to come in and out every night and won't sit on them. Or, she will sit on them and not allow the other birds to come in at night lol. I don't want to move her nest...
Who knew there was so much to geese! Its stressful! lol but I love it!
Thanks for any help/suggestions. Sorry for the long read...
