dead hatchling just outside nest

[Catewen]

I've just been to check one of my geese that has been sitting on eggs for around 30 days, and found a dead baby just outside nest, it must have hatched today and was fluffy and dry. I was wondering if the mother had rejected it, should I take away the last remaining 5 eggs, to hatch myself ?

 

[sammark]

Sorry to hear that, I'm no expert but if it were me I would leave them where they are if there's anyway you can watch the nest and the geese??? Did the gosling have injuries as if it'd been killed???

 

[jakal92]

I had the same thing happen today, but my gosling seemed still wet and missing the head. I've read about birds fighting over hatchlings. Is it possible that the goose rejected it or the nearby turkey hen would have heard it and tried to steal it?

I replaced the two remaining eggs with some large duck eggs and put the goose eggs in the incubator to finish. When/ if they hatch I will try to carefully introduce them to the mother.

 

[sammark]

I had the same thing happen today, but my gosling seemed still wet and missing the head. I've read about birds fighting over hatchlings. Is it possible that the goose rejected it or the nearby turkey hen would have heard it and tried to steal it?

I replaced the two remaining eggs with some large duck eggs and put the goose eggs in the incubator to finish. When/ if they hatch I will try to carefully introduce them to the mother.

Hi sorry i hadn't replied, I've only just noticed your post. Good move taking the eggs to incubate, it sounds like they're definately being killed. Do you have any ganders? As I've heard ganders will kill any young that arent there's