Goose making a nest?

[Vineyiea]

So I have a two pairs of American Buff geese, we only bought them recently from someone who had them since goslings (they are 3 years old and a bonded flock, successfully have raised gosling together before). We've only found two eggs so far-and very spread apart, so we assumed they were still getting used to the area. Now one of the females have started staying back behind our creek and doesn't like leaving the area. I think she is building a nest (I haven't checked since the other three get really angry when I try to approach, I'm planning on checking when we put them to bed) The problem is we have a pack of coyotes that live in the forest behind us, along with foxes and raccoons. It isn't safe to leave the geese out at night, so I'm not sure what to do about the nest. We have nest boxes in their house that neither female seems to like. What should we do?

 

[nchls school]

I'd spend some time looking for the nest. I'd also lock the geese in until they start laying in a safe place. Maybe try different nest containers. I go through this every year with my turkeys, but with the turkeys I can replace eggs with dummy eggs then when the hen starts brooding she can be moved to a safer locations. I don't think you can do that with geese.

At any rate, if you can't find the nest it's better to lose some eggs than the adult goose. It sounds to me that the goose already has a nest and eggs-could she be brooding, and if so is there any way she could be fenced in for safety reasons?

 

[Vineyiea]

Ah darn it-I'll see if I can fence her in. Would a dog kennel work for temporarily do you think? Kind've like this one? We use it to contain our chickens occasionally

 

[Vineyiea]

I'd spend some time looking for the nest. I'd also lock the geese in until they start laying in a safe place. Maybe try different nest containers. I go through this every year with my turkeys, but with the turkeys I can replace eggs with dummy eggs then when the hen starts brooding she can be moved to a safer locations. I don't think you can do that with geese.

At any rate, if you can't find the nest it's better to lose some eggs than the adult goose. It sounds to me that the goose already has a nest and eggs-could she be brooding, and if so is there any way she could be fenced in for safety reasons?

Good news is she isn't sitting yet-and there was only two eggs. I've moved them into the nest box and will keep the geese in for a few days. Hopefully she decides that is a better place to lay!

 

[nchls school]

Good luck and stay safe. The fence looked good, but a determined predator would dig under.