mama goose not sitting on egg all day

[RisingSpring]

i adopted 3 geese & 1 gander 2 months ago from a friend who couldn't keep them anymore, so i am still learning about geese. my pomeranian goose nellie has gone broody and made a little nest for herself in the barn and is sitting on an egg. she sits all night, but during the day she is out a lot, often for an hour at a time, foraging or swimming in the pond. could she still hatch the egg being up that long or is it a lost cause? i would love for her to hatch it.

 

[quarrymaster]

It kinda depends on outside temp.....if it's around 100 deg she can wander for an hour or so easy....if about 90 or so about 20 to 30min then back too sitting.....if she spends the nite , all is well!!!!.....

 

[RisingSpring]

It kinda depends on outside temp.....if it's around 100 deg she can wander for an hour or so easy....if about 90 or so about 20 to 30min then back too sitting.....if she spends the nite , all is well!!!!.....

thanks for replying. i live in PA, it's only about 80 out most days. she does sit diligently from sun down to sun up though.

 

[JasoninMN]

My geese seems to spend a lot of time off their nests and the eggs still hatch. Not sure how that works, but I would candle them to see if they are fertile

 

[pokopkolo]

good your goose is doing fine then

 

[RisingSpring]

My geese seems to spend a lot of time off their nests and the eggs still hatch. Not sure how that works, but I would candle them to see if they are fertile

good idea, i haven't done that yet. i hope it is!

would i be able to tell if the embryo was dead or underdeveloped from her not sitting enough on it?

 

[JasoninMN]

You should be able too if you have a strong enough light.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/7758/has-anyone-ever-candled-goose-eggs

 

[Miss Lydia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcwMjeXpgcc&feature=relmfu
this one is better.

 

[TeamChaos]

I'm glad someone posted this question! My goose built a nest and has 6 eggs- she sits all nite, but has been off of it all day for several days in a row... temps have been in the 90's here easily, so maybe all is not lost!