Goose and Chickens Simultaneously?

[newbiechickenlady20]

I apologize if this has been asked before. I did search but didn't see anything. I also apologize if this is a silly question!


We are planning to incubate for the first time. We had chickens and geese for a few years, but are having to start over. We would like to hatch chickens and geese. Is it possible to incubate both eggs simultaneously? We'd like to have them hatch together and raise them together. Both for convenience and cohesiveness of the flock, but I don't know if this is possible.


Since we are having to start over with our flock, the breed of goose isn't concrete yet - if that makes a difference. I also don't know if it matters, but we have the R-Com MX-20 incubator.


Thanks in advance!

 

[Goosey Girl]

You know...I thought about that myself, but after a bit of research, I decided against it. I'm sure it can be done, but the humidity requirements are different in incubating. I'm sure it can be done, maybe someone out there who has done this will chime in.
I currently have 8 goose eggs in my incubator from 5 days ago and I added 10 duck eggs today so they all hatch around the same time. Both waterfowl, similar requirements and for the first few months they will be fine together. But chicks???? I'm curious what others think.

 

[CATRAY44]

Did you try it? If so, how did it go?

 

[Goosey Girl]

Tried the gosling and duckling mix several times. Ducklings mature quicker than goslings, so once the ducks are a few months old I had to separate them because the male ducks would try to get too friendly with the young geese.

The most interesting group included 2 male goslings raised with 6 ducklings that I added to my area with adult geese last year (when they were about 1 1/2 - 2 months old). The two young males became very protective of the ducks and when the adult geese would chase the ducks, the ducks would run for protection to their 2 goose friends. Eventually, the young ducks were placed with the rest of my adult ducks and all the geese were separate from them.

I'd say it is great option initially in some situations. For instance, I don't have very high rates of success incubating Sebastopol goose eggs. Right now of the 6 goose eggs that I tried incubating, only one has survived and has just today internally pipped. Fortunately, I added some duck eggs 6 days after starting the goose eggs and in a couple days I should have 3 ducklings hatch around the same time the lone surviving goose egg hatches.

I've never wanted to be in a situation where I only have one hatchling and risk imprinting. I also don't trust putting a newly hatched gosling out into the barn with the hope that a goose adopts it. Having the ducklings is a useful backup plan that has worked for me and saves me from lots of extra, loud lonely-bird peeping. If the ducklings don't hatch on the same day, I put a mirror in the tub until I have a buddy for the first one hatched.