Egg Size Decreasing

[Snoopy Kim]

Hi There

Our first goose eggs arrived 20th Feb and for the first five weeks the weight was an average of 186g, which we were pretty pleased with. We even had one at 290g, which we have incubated and are hoping for a golden goose that will lay us golden eggs. Failing that, a goose with three legs that will give us a run for our money.

Jokes aside, after the first five weeks, the weight started to decrease, even though we are pretty sure that it is the same geese that are laying the same eggs as the first weeks. Now, our average has gone down to 178g. Does anybody know of a reason for this decrease? We haven't changed their feed or haven't had any other changes, although the weather has got warmer.

 

[kandyg_99]

How Old Are The Geese & What Breed ?

 

[The goose girl]

My goose has a similar laying pattern every year. Egg size gradually decreases during the first 4-8 weeks. They end up weighing between 155 and 175 g. - usually with a few odd ones thrown in to keep us on our toes. Smallest egg so far this year 146 g.

The really big ones (her record is 270 g.) have always had two yolks, so they are not viable for hatching.

 

[Snoopy Kim]

How Old Are The Geese & What Breed ?

There are two sets: one set are two years old and one set are three years old. It has been difficult knowing who laid some of the eggs as a couple of the nests are shared.

 

[Snoopy Kim]

How Old Are The Geese & What Breed ?

They are Embden geese

 

[Snoopy Kim]

My goose has a similar laying pattern every year. Egg size gradually decreases during the first 4-8 weeks. They end up weighing between 155 and 175 g. - usually with a few odd ones thrown in to keep us on our toes. Smallest egg so far this year 146 g.

The really big ones (her record is 270 g.) have always had two yolks, so they are not viable for hatching.

Hi there
Interesting information, thank you.
Do you know why the decrease happens?
Although our jumbo egg seems to have only one yolk, I am curious as to know why a double yolk is not viable for hatching. Is it because the egg isn't big enough to hold two goslings?

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

Hi There

Our first goose eggs arrived 20th Feb and for the first five weeks the weight was an average of 186g, which we were pretty pleased with. We even had one at 290g, which we have incubated and are hoping for a golden goose that will lay us golden eggs. Failing that, a goose with three legs that will give us a run for our money.

Jokes aside, after the first five weeks, the weight started to decrease, even though we are pretty sure that it is the same geese that are laying the same eggs as the first weeks. Now, our average has gone down to 178g. Does anybody know of a reason for this decrease? We haven't changed their feed or haven't had any other changes, although the weather has got warmer.

Comparative studies have shown that the egg content of the egg weight increases with the egg weight and that larger eggs have a higher proportion of yolk. Furthermore, using duck eggs, it was found that larger yolks had a positive impact on the amount of albumen secreted in the eggs and also on the size of the eggs.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

A decrease in egg size doesn't seem unusual, based on this article, which states (in part): "in the first reproductive season, the weight of a goose egg is smaller at the beginning of the season than later on. During the next years of production, egg weight is higher at the beginning of lay and declines progressively through the remaining season (Mazanowski, 2012)."

I've also wondered if some of my geese's eggs have become a bit smaller recently. Now it makes sense.

 

[Snoopy Kim]

A decrease in egg size doesn't seem unusual, based on this article, which states (in part): "in the first reproductive season, the weight of a goose egg is smaller at the beginning of the season than later on. During the next years of production, egg weight is higher at the beginning of lay and declines progressively through the remaining season (Mazanowski, 2012)."

I've also wondered if some of my geese's eggs have become a bit smaller recently. Now it makes sense.

Thank you for that information. It does indeed make sense and I now feel not so concerned. I thought it might be something odd. However, I would still like to find out the reason why this happens. It is almost like they run out of egg-making bodily materials, if you know what I mean, as the season goes on. Seeing as our started out with a very good average weight of 186g, the fact that it has now gone down to 179g, still shows as above goose egg average. So I am happy with that.

 

[The goose girl]

Although our jumbo egg seems to have only one yolk, I am curious as to know why a double yolk is not viable for hatching. Is it because the egg isn't big enough to hold two goslings?

There's a lot of info about double yolks here: https://blog.lauraerickson.com/2012/04/normal.html