Normal goose behavior?

[222danette]

Hi all,
I was given a pair of adult toulouse geese 1.5 years ago. I was certain they were both hens because on several days, I have found 2 eggs where there weren't any the day before. But this year, the bigger goose is mounting the smaller one, and now they are taking turns guarding a nest. They have both become very protective about this. What gives?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In most poultry species when there's no male a female will often take on that role, and will mock mate the other females. Geese can co-parent, so it isn't too surprising to have two females tending a nest together. I'm a novice at geese, but from my reading what you are seeing isn't unusual.

 

[Gray Farms]

@oldhenlikesdogs is absolutely correct. Even in the absence of a male female geese will lay and set "incubate" their eggs, though they won't hatch of course.