GooseInGarden
In the Brooder
- Apr 30, 2023
- 12
- 41
- 33
Hello.
I share a flock of Embdens with my folks, with almost 20 some geese right now. At least six of the geese started building clutches this spring. It is not the first year--we had about the same number try to set last year, but had something raiding the nests at night taking almost hatched eggs and new goslings. Last year we figured it was a skunk due to smelling it and seeing it in the area. This year, we moved the broodies to individual runs paneled with chicken wire and chain link when they started incubation to eliminate the predation. All seemed secure until the oldest brood reached the final week or two of incubation, but she is now down to five or six eggs out of at least eight. (We do not bother the broodies as much as possible so do not have exact counts or dates.) The rest of the nests, the ones that were still being built up by the geese, are being cleaned out each night. The geese share pasture with sheep and chickens, and we have dogs on property. Dogs aren't out at night because of a nasty neighbor with a gun. Ganders and non-setting flockmates are able to access all sides of broody runs.
I am wondering what could be preying on the clutches? Ganders and chickens both are very willing to chase anything cat-sized or smaller during the day, and we have lost no chickens.
The other question is regarding a goose that built a clutch of 14+ eggs, but seemed to keep loosing her clutch. She would just keep laying new eggs on top, but never start the incubation or even to line nest with feathers ... I have had some stupid birds before, even those that attacked their own hatchlings, but never this. What is up and can we do anything to fix the behavior?
As of now, my mom and I are building an incubator to try and get some goslings
I share a flock of Embdens with my folks, with almost 20 some geese right now. At least six of the geese started building clutches this spring. It is not the first year--we had about the same number try to set last year, but had something raiding the nests at night taking almost hatched eggs and new goslings. Last year we figured it was a skunk due to smelling it and seeing it in the area. This year, we moved the broodies to individual runs paneled with chicken wire and chain link when they started incubation to eliminate the predation. All seemed secure until the oldest brood reached the final week or two of incubation, but she is now down to five or six eggs out of at least eight. (We do not bother the broodies as much as possible so do not have exact counts or dates.) The rest of the nests, the ones that were still being built up by the geese, are being cleaned out each night. The geese share pasture with sheep and chickens, and we have dogs on property. Dogs aren't out at night because of a nasty neighbor with a gun. Ganders and non-setting flockmates are able to access all sides of broody runs.
I am wondering what could be preying on the clutches? Ganders and chickens both are very willing to chase anything cat-sized or smaller during the day, and we have lost no chickens.
The other question is regarding a goose that built a clutch of 14+ eggs, but seemed to keep loosing her clutch. She would just keep laying new eggs on top, but never start the incubation or even to line nest with feathers ... I have had some stupid birds before, even those that attacked their own hatchlings, but never this. What is up and can we do anything to fix the behavior?
As of now, my mom and I are building an incubator to try and get some goslings
