Here's the final count. Had six eggs hatch, one Sebastopol & 5 Africans. Two of the Africans, I helped out of their shells and seemed to be doing okay but when I got home yesterday from work they were in bad shape and died shortly thereafter. Perhaps if I had been home, I could have done something.
One African was slow to hatch and finally hatched yesterday. I just took it out of incubator this morning. It seems somewhat weak and not moving around a lot but I can keep a eye of it today and hopefully it will improve. The other three are doing very well and active.
As a conclusion, the broodies did well in incubating the goose eggs. I put in very little time, removed the hen once a day from the nest and rotated the eggs and no misting.
The problem was that the one broody got tired and left the nest on day 30 and I then stepped in and took those eggs and the eggs from the other broody. I believe if I would have left the eggs with the one broody and stuck the other eggs under another broody that they would have hatched and likely been in better shape. I think my intervention and opening and closing the incubator caused the problem with the goslings hatching on their own.
In a couple of days I have more six more goose eggs that should hatch. These eggs were put in the incubator and rested and misted daily as recommended. This was sure a lot more work. Stay tuned for the results. Now, everyone tell me to step away from the hatcher and let them hatch on their own.
Wow, what a experience. Wiped me out this week.
And now pictures:
Seb gosling
Seb and one of the Africans (I am surprised at the size difference as I thought the Africans would be bigger)