CALLING MISS PRISSY AGAIN!!~~New goose question page 5

[shelleyd2008]

I have all the trays in the bottom of my bator full, plus two sponges sitting on the wire, to get the humidity up. I also have paper towel sheet looped around the big water channel so there is more surface area.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Oh, btw, I candled the eggs last night, I couldn't resist

I have 3 ducks developing so far. I can't tell anything with the goose eggs yet (only day 6), but they look promising. The smaller end of the eggs are darker than the tops, so this to me means that 'something' is going on. I will candle again in another week, if I can stand the wait!

 

[Fudgie]

Shelly, please step away from the bator! LOL....It is hard to not candle them. but like Miss Prissy says, they need to cool for 15 min anyway, so what the heck!

 

[shelleyd2008]

That's what I figured! Since it was open anyway, wouldn't hurt to check right?

 

[Fudgie]

You got it!

 

[Fudgie]

Now after my first hatch of goslings and ducklings, here is what I have determined:

1) they did not take 28-32 days....mine started at day 26 hatched by day 27
2) you CAN hatch geese in an egg turner contrary to popular belief. all 7 of mine hatched and one started pipping IN the turner.
3) the higher the humidity at hatch the better and less need you have for intervening. Mine did not require one bit of help getting out on their own.
4) to increase humidity the roll up a sock and soak in warm water and place in incubator works, Paper towels folded up and soaked in warm water and placed in the incubator works way better to up it quickly.
4) I noticed they pip day 26 and take the whole day to make little cracks in the shell, looks like no progress but they are cracking the crud out of the shell casing. then BOOM there they are instantly!
5) They seem to be very hardy and are up pooping their guts up so place papertowels on the floor of the bator or you are definately gonna have to bleach it out. They are messy hatchers!!!!
6) they love water INSTANTLY when they come out. I put a small dish of water like 2cm deep and they all were fighting to climb in and play!
7) did I mention they have the cutest fuzzy butts in the world!!!!
8) oh yeah and keep the derned bator closed as much as possible, I know you wanna looksee but leave it shut except for upping humidity.

 

[horsejody]

Very cute.

 

[Fudgie]

Thanks horsejody!!! I think so too and more are on the way!!! Pipping today!

 

[MissPrissy]

Nothing makes my heart swell like newly hatched goslings.

Not ducks. Not chickens.

 

[Fudgie]

OH they are so sweet, I will take more pictures later on after they fluffy butt up good! These were taken like right after they were out and barely fluffed!