Help, please...Gosling peeping in shell for 24 hours

[cera37]

My son brought me 4 goose eggs as a gift to hatch. I have a still air incubator. Everything has been done correctly and for the last 24 hours or so I can hear peeping and tapping inside the egg. Should I help this one peeper by poking a hole in the air sac or should I wait? How long does it take for an external pip after hearing the internal peeping? I'd hate to have this little one suffocate.

Thank you in advance

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would suggest you PM Iain Utah she has been hatching goslings and can probably give you excellent advise.

 

[Iain Utah]

Miss Lydia, you are too kind.

cera, need more information to answer your first question. What type of goose? What day of incubation are they on? What temp/humidity did you incubate them at? Did you mist/cool them after day 7? How large was the air cell when you put it into lockdown? Did you lay egg horizontally with dipped air cell side up? When did you raise humidity? What is your temp/humidity now? Do you have a good view of the fat end of egg (with dipped air cell side up)?

As for your 2nd question, it usually takes between 24-30 hours between first hearing peeping and the external pip.

 

[cera37]

Thank you so much for replying so quick. My son brought them to me about two weeks ago. After candling them I realized they were already about half grown. I do not know what type of goose it is. I have a feeling they could be Canada geese. Yes, I have been turning, spraying and/or letting them cool for about 15 minutes each day. The last candling I did was about 3 days ago. At that point the air cell was large, about a third of the egg and the eggs would stay on one side when set on a flat surface with the air sac on top. I also noticed one of the babies was trying was possibly already through the internal air sac. I panicked and sprayed really well and locked down. The temp is at 99.5. I'm not sure of the humidity due to not having a wet bulb. When I talk to the eggs, they really peep. I went in to check on them a few minutes ago and notice two, possibly three, have externally pipped. I'm hoping for the best. I just hatched 5 chickens about two weeks ago. I had no idea what to do with goose eggs.

 

[Iain Utah]

Sounds like you are doing great!!! The humidity will need to be at least 75% to avoid shrink wrapping, especially now that they have externally pipped. If you have a standard styo still air, make sure all reservoirs are full and add 2-3 kitchen sponges soaked in warm water, placed on tupperware lids.

If they do not shrink wrap, they will usually take about 12 hours to rest, then slowly the external pip will get larger. Eventually (24-30 hours after initial external pip), they will begin to zip, and zipping takes 1-2 hours on average.

Best of luck!

 

[cera37]

Thank you. I placed paper towels soaked in water over the whole bottom. I add warm water through the two large holes on the top once a day. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Do you have a rehab facility lined up to take any goslings that hatch? Taking Canada goose eggs from the wild is illegal, as is keeping the goslings. Good luck with the hatch, I would be calling a waterfowl rehab facility to make just incase arrangements.

 

[cera37]

Yes, I know it is illegal to keep them if they are Canada geese. I will know for sure, once they are hatched, where they will be going. If they are his friend's parent's eggs, they will be kept as pets. I'm hoping they are domestic geese. I'd love to have them.

 

[Marty1876]

Good luck!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Good luck with the hatch. Maybe your son can tell you where they came from?