goose breeders ... no one is breeding! help, ideas

[mominoz]

Ok, for 5 years my Shetlands bred and no issues with fertility. FF last year, only seemed 2 older males were breeding and the 2 younger I figured were still too young, 18 months to 2 yrs. old. So this year I have 3 males 2 years old. One older male, he is breeding and picks on another male occasionally...5 females almost 2yr old to 5 yr old. Only seem breeding twice by same male on same female . Out in pasture in daytime with pools, have a night pen that has 3 nesting areas, and a pool... and only gotten a few fertile eggs and a bunch of infertile eggs ... they get grass in daytime and grains and layer at night (geese aren't fond of the layer)... What can or should I do? Separate them into smaller groups? age? feed? Move the older pair out? night pen is about 12 x 30...and the females are laying all in one nest...

 

[Percheron chick]

I would separate the ganders. Give them each their girls. Separate houses until they are done raising babies. Fresh cold water in the pool never hurts either.

 

[Gray Farms]

I would separate them as well. I wonder if the older gander is spending time running off the young boys and not breeding the girls so much. In fact I'd get rid of two males. 4 males for 5 females is more than plenty. Two males should do just fine.

 

[mominoz]

Compared to my older gandars which really did fight, not deathly, but it was obvious...I did separate them... more like everyone gets along , don't see any running off, once or twice some feather grabbing... if anything two older males seem to want to breed same female at same time....but I will separate, need to let the grass recover some anyway...I guess extra female to the older male... Was wondering if someone put phalates and parabens in their food ! water is well water, so no hormone disrupters there... Now almost similar thing with my young Africans... 2... 1 yr old males , 4 females, and seems only one breeding one ( but they are young so they can be fertile first year, but.... usually laying breeding starts in mid Feb. late this and last year and we had a really wet, and mostly warm winter...

 

[Nathanielll]

Hi, I am looking for Shetland goose eggs to incubate. Would you be willing to sell me some eggs?

Thanks!
Nathaniel

 

[mominoz]

I sold my flock a couple years ago.