New to Geese - Hatching goslings - help!

[hulaskirt87]

Hello all!
My family and I are pretty new to chickens and geese for that matter but we jumped right in. We have 12 chickens and a mated pair of large white emden domestic geese (I think) We were not planning on having any goslings or chicks and we were just using the eggs for consumption but the mama goose started getting very broody so we decided to let her try and hatch a couple. This was kind of on a whim. I have been researching a little and have gathered about 28 days is the norm before the babies start hatching.

The eggs were laid about 3 weeks ago and just a few days after she started sitting on them. However, she does not get off the nest at all that I can tell. The geese & chickens share a coop so she has built quite a large nest on the second level of the coop. Are there any tips that you all can give me on what I am doing right and what I am doing wrong here? I am not even certain that the eggs will hatch but they are dated so we will know when to give up on them. Also, what should we do when they do hatch? are the chickens a danger to them or can we leave them with mama goose?

Any advise would be great!!!

 

[livininbrazil]

Hello all!
My family and I are pretty new to chickens and geese for that matter but we jumped right in. We have 12 chickens and a mated pair of large white emden domestic geese (I think) We were not planning on having any goslings or chicks and we were just using the eggs for consumption but the mama goose started getting very broody so we decided to let her try and hatch a couple. This was kind of on a whim. I have been researching a little and have gathered about 28 days is the norm before the babies start hatching.

The eggs were laid about 3 weeks ago and just a few days after she started sitting on them. However, she does not get off the nest at all that I can tell. The geese & chickens share a coop so she has built quite a large nest on the second level of the coop. Are there any tips that you all can give me on what I am doing right and what I am doing wrong here? I am not even certain that the eggs will hatch but they are dated so we will know when to give up on them. Also, what should we do when they do hatch? are the chickens a danger to them or can we leave them with mama goose?

Any advise would be great!!!

I would suggest a good read through the goslings 2014 thread. You´ll find the various problems and tips that come up, and if you have any questions, then just ask.

When the goslings hatch, it´d be good if you can provide a separate safe area on grass for the geese. The parents can get very protective.

 

[Nyssa03]

If you think she is not getting off the nest to eat or drink, I would put a small bucket of water and some food close to her so she can get it without getting too far away from her eggs. Also as livin said - you will learn lots by reading on the goose threads.

 

[livininbrazil]

If you think she is not getting off the nest to eat or drink, I would put a small bucket of water and some food close to her so she can get it without getting too far away from her eggs. Also as livin said - you will learn lots by reading on the goose threads.

She´ll be getting off...usually when she thinks no-one is around to see. You´ll know because you´ll find some enormous stinking poops. I don´t put food and water too near my females, as they need to get off and walk about, take a bath, etc....

 

[hulaskirt87]

Yes I noticed her get off the nest the other day! she laid the first egg on 6/1 and began brooding about 2 days after the second one was laid (probably a day or 2 after so 6/3) I am guessing they should be hatching soon enough. Is there a chance that they may not hatch?

 

[livininbrazil]

Yes I noticed her get off the nest the other day! she laid the first egg on 6/1 and began brooding about 2 days after the second one was laid (probably a day or 2 after so 6/3) I am guessing they should be hatching soon enough. Is there a chance that they may not hatch?

Do you have any idea how many she has?
If she started brooding the second day, you may gt a staggered hatch which is a bit of a nuisance. If it´s her first time breeding, you may not get anything at all. But sometimes first-years do ok. And, of course, they´d be due to hatch about now, so keep your ears and eyes open for them. If you get a chance, you may even hear some tapping or cheeps from within when they´re pipping. You may need to take the first ones away for a few days if it´s a staggered hatch of a number of eggs, until they´ve all hatched. Or maybe she only has 3 eggs, in which case leave them be as long as they´re not having any probs hatching.

 

[hulaskirt87]

Yes she only has 2 eggs. And we bought her from a farmer who said she had laid and hatched a larger bunch last year. Hoping she isn't just laying on duds lol but I had read somewhere that they will remove unfertilized eggs from the bunch? She is so protective over them.

 

[livininbrazil]

Yes she only has 2 eggs. And we bought her from a farmer who said she had laid and hatched a larger bunch last year. Hoping she isn't just laying on duds lol but I had read somewhere that they will remove unfertilized eggs from the bunch? She is so protective over them.

Only 2 eggs. Did you buy her shortly before she laid the two eggs and started sitting?
If she´s already raised a brood, then leave it all up to her, she should know what´s going on. They may or may not hatch.

 

[livininbrazil]

Only 2 eggs. Did you buy her shortly before she laid the two eggs and started sitting?
If she´s already raised a brood, then leave it all up to her, she should know what´s going on. They may or may not hatch.

My geese don´t know if it´s dud eggs, so I can´t comment on that theory.....

 

[hulaskirt87]

Ok thanks guys I'll keep you posted and hopefully will have some baby pics to post in the next week!