sebbie egg laying ??

[johnskoi]

hatched two sebbies for myself this summer (Nuk and Futz )... i'm sure they're a pair

and she will be laying eggs this upcoming season...

they're locked up every night in 4 x 9 pen ... they roam the yard (and beyond sometimes into a wooded area that borders my yard) during daylight, but they still have open access to their pen...

i was wondering if:

-- there was a time of day they tend to lay?
-- if they have a tendency to lay in their pens or in a more hidden area?
-- and if there's something that i can do ahead of time to coax them to lay in their pen?

tia,
john

 

[Goose and Fig]

They will lay where they are comfortable. Give them lots of extra straw in their house- maybe in a sheltered corner or a dog house or something like that. Keep an eye out for nesting behavior. If they make a nest in the woods, you might miss it completely. They bury the eggs.

 

[johnskoi]

They will lay where they are comfortable. Give them lots of extra straw in their house- maybe in a sheltered corner or a dog house or something like that. Keep an eye out for nesting behavior. If they make a nest in the woods, you might miss it completely. They bury the eggs.

thanks! ... i've had the woods blocked off with 2' chicken wire -- just didnt reinforce enough to keep 'em from barreling over in a few weak spots .... do you think setting up a nest box with a dirt or sand bottom with hay on top would be more enticing being that they bury the eggs?

 

[Goose and Fig]

Well- that is why I give mine lots and lots of straw. Nice dry, fluffy straw. They love it- and the eggs will be clean too. I have one goose that will build the nest all the way up around herself, so all you see is her head

For the ones that have a wood floor in their house - I make a corner box using barn beams and pile up the straw in there.

The straw will last a lot longer, too, if you keep feed and water outside of the nesting area.

 

[johnskoi]

gotcha .. and thanks!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

x200 what Amy already said. If you do indeed have a goose and gander providing a darkened, what feels secluded and safe place for her to lay will be the best way to get the nest where you want it. be sure to re-enforce that barrier so they dont wonder the wooded area. Post pictures too, cause we all love to see your geese.