Having an issue an issue with my geese using the same nest.

[88Haywood88]

I have two pairs of free range toulouse geese. the first pair are named Muriel and Eustace, the second pair are named Abby and Quinn (for reference). They all hang around together, it's safe to say that they are a flock. yesterday I noticed Muriel was making a nest, apparently getting ready to brood. Today The nest was disrupted and the eggs were strewn all over the nest box. What I think happened was that the Abby forced Muriel off the nest to lay an egg, this discouraged her from brooding. I have a solution, but I don't know if it's a good idea, but here it goes... One of my goat pens just opened up, and I was thinking about putting Muriel and eustace in the pen, and letting Abby and Quinn free range. Would this cause the geese to stop laying or brooding? If this is a bad idea, I would appreciate some help.
Thank you

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
It isn't the best Idea I have heard. Muriel would have a nest but the disruption brought about by the lack of free ranging might mean that it would remain empty, Where is Abby supposed to build her nest? it could be anywhere on the free range. Do ypu lock them up at night? Can you provide minimum seperation so that each has their own nest area at night and they all free range during the day. Try to make sure they are using their own nest while they are laying. when the first goose actually goes broody then you can confine her alone. let her mate and the rest of the flock visit her but not force her off the nest. About this time the ganders may fight for the right to mate the non-broody goose. Once the second goose goes broody everything should be calm until the first gosling hatches at that point there might be some competion for the early hatchlings as the ganders usually want to help raise the young and the geese sometimes become confused about what they hatched. Good Luck and BTW your idea is much better than to allow two geese to lay in the same nest.

 

[PrinceSandwich]

why don't you move the ones that are that are causing the problem? move abby and her mate to the goat pen. then it won't disturb the ones that want to brood.

 

[Soccer Mom]

I think goosedragon hit the nail on the head. Locking them up seperately at night in their own pen with their own nest should teach each girl where to lay her eggs. Then everyone could free range during the day.