Goose Egg! What do I do?

[The Sheriff]

I bought a pair of Mini Oregon geese from Holderreads a few months ago. This morning when I was feeding the animal I found a goose egg laying on the ground on some straw in the goat shelter. I picked it up and brought it inside. What should I have done? Do I save it until she lays more and starts siting? I can't put it back where I found it as it was right out in the open, ready to be stomped by goats. Do I incubate it? Will she lay more and how often? Please, all words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.

Mary

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

My bet would be that she'll be laying more. Can you put her in stall private area? She might set up housekeeping. One of mine went into a back stall on her own. The other one picked a dog house that can be closed and locked at night. The third decided she'd like to lay eggs under our grain mixer in the barn. Not so great, but it is her first time.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Uh oh!!!!! Break out the incubator. Once they star laying they keep laying for awhile. She may hide her eggs though so you have to watch her first thing in the morning and until she lays another.

Mine only lay when they have water to breed in, whether it is a pool or a tub of water or a mud puddle. I let mine lay over 7 eggs and she never sat on them so they are now in the incubator. I will know soon I guess.

I just hatched out 3 of them though last week. Cutest little babies. Oh yeah, and 6 Muscovy ducks from On the Spot! Precious!

 

[chickenzoo]

My geese started out with what we call "fart eggs"... it was like they just farted them out in the middle of the yard... LOL

I collected them and put them in the bator, she continued to lay and when she got ready she went broody. It might take awhile before she is ready, so i'd incubate them. Mine will sit on a duck egg or nothing until they are ready to lay their own..... like I need more ducks.....

Give her some hay to play in and she might make a nest after a while.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
You should gather up a few more, package them carefully and mail them promptly to me for "testing" in my incubator! LOL

 

[The Sheriff]

Well we made some changes in the goose house today. We are using a kennel with a small doghouse in it that they never use. We removed the doghouse and enclosed the back and sides of the kennel with wood. We also added a fiberglass roof for better protection from the elements. It came with just a shade cover. We raked out the muck and made a nice thick bed of pasture grass in there. I formed a nest and put the goose egg in there. Guess what? Bonnie went in today and laid another egg in the nest I made. then she covered both eggs with bedding and came back out. I am going to just let it be and see what she does. I will be gone for a couple of weeks and do not want to ask my daughter to manage the incubation of goose eggs. If Bonnie and Clyde want babies, they are going to have to figure it out for themselves!

This is exciting!

 

[kathyinmo]

YAY!!! I am excited to hear this! I just know they are gonna have babies! They are gonna figure it out right quick! YEE HAW!!!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yep, that is exactly what mine do too. They cover them up and you can't even see them. Mine will keep laying but hasn't sat yet. I gave up after 7 eggs and stuck them in the bator. But I am not hatching anymore so I am with you, if they want them, figure it out.