American Buff Laying question

[WyattEarp]

I have a trio of Buffs, two girls, gander. Hatched June 2025. One goose has been mating and she laid 3 eggs over 4days then stopped. I’ve searched the yard thinking she was hiding eggs. Nothing. It’s been 7d since last egg. She’s not sitting them. They’ve Ben tucked in her nest on my sunporch. Never freezing. Do you thinks she’s Done laying. Are eggs viable? ? She’s so young. I have an incubator coming today - can I incubate them?

 

[WyattEarp]

Oops! It’s only been 4 days since she laid 3rd egg. And 7 days since she layed first. So all 3 eggs are only max7 days in nest. Thoughts on incubating them. Or wait to see if she resumes laying? I don’t want to lose first 3 eggs. She’s probably too immature to raise goslings.

 

[Pumperkinz]

Oops! It’s only been 4 days since she laid 3rd egg. And 7 days since she layed first. So all 3 eggs are only max7 days in nest. Thoughts on incubating them. Or wait to see if she resumes laying? I don’t want to lose first 3 eggs. She’s probably too immature to raise goslings.

Personally I pull till I want to sit what I have. If I want them to raise them and don't care about fertility etc. Sometimes some hens will lay 3/4 and sit on them, others will wait till 19/20 are laid lol. But one thing is certain the goose will stop laying when she wants, and will sit if/when she wants. It's all a guessing game imo.

I have to do that with my sebs as you have a very short window on some the girls to get any eggs at all. Buffs I know lay a bit more, but if you are trying to get the most out of it or hatch then that's what I would do personally.

 

[WyattEarp]

How long can you store an egg ? And how do you safely hold them if you’re waiting on hen or waiting to incubate? My maticoopx incubator arrived today! Thankyou so much for reply.

 

[Pumperkinz]

How long can you store an egg ? And how do you safely hold them if you’re waiting on hen or waiting to incubate? My maticoopx incubator arrived today! Thankyou so much for reply.

I would set them every 7 days at max (personally), other guides will say max 14. I just set in batches of 6 or so.

Pointy end down in a tray or case is fine. Just making sure it can't roll around. Also I would rotate them gradually everyday like a hen would do when they come in. There is a guide if you look up waterfowl incubation guide on here from a guy named pete. It's pretty good if you need some guidance!