GOOSE BREEDING THREAD - for breeding, incubating, hatching and rearing.

[Anna6]

Alrighty, well we got the replacement shipment of eggs, and it seems that he was UBER careful this time as all 8 came in really, really good condition!!! Each was wrapped in paper towels and a bubbled envelope that was gingerly folded around the egg. Then there was those big bubble pockets along with tons of tissue paper. There was very little give inside the box. Much happier with this set, and quite hopeful we'll actually get some hatches.



We candled them first thing and it looks like only 1 has a *slightly* moving air bubble, the rest have nice defined bubbles and a definitive dark spot a bit under it. Letting them sit 24 hours before putting them in. Keeping fingers crossed that we get at least a few hatch from them all. We're going to have to get another incubator though, since there are a few in right now, and these will be put in days later... We can't open the incubator during "lock down" but will still be turning the second set.. So I suppose we'll separate the first set into the other bator 4-ish days before hatch date so they can be left alone and the humidity/venting/temp can be shifted as needed. This has turned into a much bigger thing than anticipated, but we're SUPER excited. I started making little recordings yesterday to keep sort of a video journal of the whole process. Hopefully, we'll be able to take it all the way to seeing them zipper open and become fluffy little bundles of love.

Like I said before, the guy we got them from says they are from a mixed flock of free range geese that include Embden, Sebastepol, Chinese, and Pilgrim... And the eggs we've gotten are of substantially different sizes... Here is a perfect example, this is the biggest and the smallest from this shipment. I know that both breed and age change the size of the egg, but it's *really* different. The big one is noticeably longer than it is fatter too! Any ideas? I know it's just speculation one way or the other, but it would be cool to see if guesses end up being right!

It is like a box of mixed chocolates. Can't wait to see what will hatch out of them. Fun!

 

[RiverGoddess]

Lucky hatch rate, RiverGoddess. I read with sebs, it's not only the hatch rate and not being great eggs to ship, they are not known to have high fertility either.

Hey! its not Luck I am just that awesome !

 

[RiverGoddess]

. I know that both breed and age change the size of the egg, but it's *really* different. The big one is noticeably longer than it is fatter too! Any ideas?

It could be a double yolker....

Anna
You could go with the stryrofoam kinds, or for a smaller bater. I have a friend who has the Brinsea... Its economical as bators go & well made.

so these 2 are the most used that I know of

Picture Window Circulated Air Hova Bator - 1583
Large viewing area is ideal for classrooms, science projects, and group viewing of the hatching process. Snap action wafer thermostat controls 25 watt heating element. Increased lid depth will accommodate larger sized eggs without adding an expansion ring. Includes sanitary plastic liner.

Octagon 20 ECO Auto Turn Incubator
This is automatic version of the economy incubator which is available with precise proportional electronic temperature control. This 24 chicken egg incubator is a simple but high quality egg incubator which gives reliable hatching results of a wide range of species. It is economical to buy, and extremely simple to use-ideal for the beginners or children. It is a great incubator for the hatching eggs in the classroom or for a science project. The temperature is factory preset at 99.5F with easy tamper proof adjustment. It has a flashing temperature indicator and conventional but accurate liquid in glass thermometer. It is fan assisted air circulation, and has excellent visibility. the humidity is provided by water trays, this incubator is not suitable for use with the automatic humidity pump.

 

[SolarPoweredMe]

Double yolk hadn't even dawned on me! Will have to pay extra close attention when we candle next!

 

[RiverGoddess]

Double yolk hadn't even dawned on me! Will have to pay extra close attention when we candle next!

I love mixed flock eggs ! "You never know what your gunna get" (in my best Forest Gump voice)

 

[livininbrazil]

i was looking at getting eggs to hatch, but i found some on craigslist, African geese. 5 total with 4 hens. so i am looking at all the advise i can get.
i have chickens, now, can i put them in the pen with my chickens. i also have new chicks in the pen, well new as in 5 or 6 weeks old

Sorry, skittles, I missed this post...
Why not get talking to serv and others who have Africans.... look up the Africans thread to ask those who already have them. They´ll know about things like how they are with chickens, etc.
Enjoy your geese!

 

[seminolewind]

I am dying for my 3 year old pair to lay eggs. Their home is an area in a shed with 3 steps to get in. They use the steps. I wonder if the steps will prevent her from laying when she does? Would it be better to have a shelter on the ground?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am dying for my 3 year old pair to lay eggs. Their home is an area in a shed with 3 steps to get in. They use the steps. I wonder if the steps will prevent her from laying when she does? Would it be better to have a shelter on the ground?

My goose has to walk up 2 steps to get into her house and didn't have a problem last year going in to lay her egg.

 

[livininbrazil]

I am dying for my 3 year old pair to lay eggs. Their home is an area in a shed with 3 steps to get in. They use the steps. I wonder if the steps will prevent her from laying when she does? Would it be better to have a shelter on the ground?

Is she happy to use the steps? If so, that shouldn´t be a problem. Just make a nice roomy place for her but not too tall, let her duck her head to get in (I find mine like a barrel on its side, wedged firmly) and full of hay. It may be safer where you are if she makes her nest in the shed?

 

[flockman]

I am dying for my 3 year old pair to lay eggs. Their home is an area in a shed with 3 steps to get in. They use the steps. I wonder if the steps will prevent her from laying when she does? Would it be better to have a shelter on the ground?

Can't wait to see what my trio can produce!