Goose problem, White Chinese

[hermajestyis]

Hi,

I am new to raising fowl. I have chickens and a goose. I have had the goose for almost 1 year. She was young but almost full size when I got her. So, my guess is that she is right now about 1 year old.

She has been .... I want to say "normal" until just this past week. She started laying eggs a few months ago (november ish?) and is consistent to an egg every other day. She always laid an egg and then that was that; no brooding. This last week she has taken to sitting on her nest 24/7 it seems and never getting up. She has continued to lay eggs so I think everything is working in the egg factory/nothing stuck but....Idk. It is to the point that she is not going in her pool any more which is highly unusual. She eats mainly grass so I can't say if she is eating or not. The bucket of food I leave for her is being consumed but my chickens can come out to it if they want. It's is not their main bin of pellets (I can't let them live together because the goose bullies the chickens over eggs; she doesn't think a nesting box is a proper place for an egg and will fight the chickens to move their eggs to the floor)

I am worried about her. I typically remove her eggs so she sat one whole day with no egg in the nest but laid an egg the next day. I think as of today she should have two in the nest. I think I may push her off and see. When I do get her off the nest she'll go to her pool and act a bit more typical but she is soon back on the nest. I have no gander so offspring are not possible.

Should I be concerned? (I am! which is why I registered here).

I have to leave the country in just 3 days and am already dreading leaving her in this condition.

Thank you so much for any advice you might have.

Alison

 

[Carrosaur]

This is what we call brooding they eat and drink very little during this time period, it's normal.

 

[Carrosaur]

Since she has no mate, you can continue to take the eggs away, or buy her some goslings to raise.

 

[hermajestyis]

oh thank you. You don't know what a relief it is to hear that lol. Sometimes I feel like a dope to have become so attached to these feathered friends. I love the idea of getting her goslings. I'll have to find some local because I don't want to buy a dozen. (by mail).

Alison

 

[Carrosaur]

oh thank you. You don't know what a relief it is to hear that lol. Sometimes I feel like a dope to have become so attached to these feathered friends. I love the idea of getting her goslings. I'll have to find some local because I don't want to buy a dozen. (by mail).

Alison

Try Craigslist and the Where am I? Where are you? Threads here on BYC!

 

[hermajestyis]

UPDATE:

I had to leave for a trip while my goose was nesting (for the first time; freaked me out). When I got back she was "off her nest". 2 weeks ago I got chicks. She was so interested but I was scared to leave them vulnerable to her for a good look. Suddenly, she started nesting again (my term for it.... being broody?). I think the chicks did something to her. I finally found a gosling today and gave it to her. Any advice on how I will know if she takes it or not?? She was fascinated when it showed up in her nest, started arranging the nest and moving eggs around and they are together on the nest now (have been for a couple hours). There was one incident while we were standing watching the meet-and-greet when she got off the nest and walked into the yard toward her pool and the gosling followed and Mother (her name is Mother) was hissing at her and pushing her away but that was short-lived and they are back together on the nest. I see what I think are mixed signs but I am pretty clueless.

What does acceptance look like?
What does rejection look like?

I live in Az and it's normally hot but it is super windy today and it will be cool tonight. I would hate any "baby" to suffer.

Thanks!
Alison