The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not sure if this is where I should post this, I'm hoping someone will have some advice.
I have a saddleback goose that has been sitting faithfully on her nest. Her sister Darla also has been "sharing" the same nest, laying her eggs in there and sitting or rather "crowding" her way on the nest as well. I've been removing Darlas eggs and setting them in a nest that I've made right next to her sister, she doesn't care, Darla wants to be IN the nest with her sister. Ugh... According to my calculations I knew eggs should be hatching any day. I went to check on the nest tonight and two eggs are in the process of hatching! Upon further inspection I could see further down in the nest more towards the bottom a baby had hatched and was dead..... I'm guessing it was suffocated? It was fully formed and completely normal looking. I've moved Darla out and she cannot get back in. I'm really worried and stressed about the hatching babies! Won't they be at risk for suffocating under the goose? She's dutifully sitting on the nest like nothins goin on under her.....meanwhile I want to take the hatching eggs out! Does anyone have any advice? I'm hoping that she knows what to do and how to do it....I don't have an incubator and I don't want to do anything to harm the hatching babies......

I remember last year livininbrazil had to remove some gosling from under her goose when they were hatching so it's possible to do it maybe PM her and see if she can give you some advise.

 

[Iain Utah]

Fowlmamma, that is a real bummer. I too hope LB chimes in and the rest of the goslings make it!

 

[servpolice]

The best thing you can do is wait for babies since theres notting you really can do.
You did the right thing by removing one goose.
And it sounds like the babie died of coldness because if the geese killed it the babie would be under the two geese

 

[fowlmama]

The dead baby was under both geese, I had to move BOTH off the nest to get a look, that's when I discovered the 2 hatching and buried under all of that was the dead baby, towards the bottom of the nest.. Darla is still blocked from getting on the nest and so far the two hatching are STILL hatching, alive, chirping etc. I'm doing my best to be patient.....how long is too long for gozzies to hatch out completely? This seems like it's taking forever! I DO NOT want these babies to be suffocated? I'm hoping that with just one mama on the nest the results will be good! Ugh....this baby stuff stresses me out!

 

[servpolice]

Ok theres only one goose on the nest from what i read so thats good and goslings can hatch from 1-3 days after pipping so get a cup of tea and dont think about it
i used to be inpatient too but you will understand in the future
Are you a beginner?!

 

[fowlmama]

Yes! This is the FIRST for all of us! Clyde (female), Darla (Clyde's sister) and my beloved yearling african gander Hansel!
I've been through my ducks hatchings however this is VERY different! The relationship I have with my geese is on an entirely different level. I can walk right up to Hansel and pick him up and love on him, even now during this "stressful" time, he will even seek me out & "talk" until I pick him up! Darla and Clyde were purchased from Atwoods two years ago, Darla has always been more friendly and accepting of being petted etc Clyde whom we thought was a male has been more stand offish, suspicious and not as fond of being touched. None the less I have a very strong love and devotion to my geese!
Aren't all "first timers" nervous nellie's?

 

[fowlmama]

I'm a newbie on here as well....and I'm SOOOO grateful to have found a place of like-minded people with extensive knowledge!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes! This is the FIRST for all of us! Clyde (female), Darla (Clyde's sister) and my beloved yearling african gander Hansel!
I've been through my ducks hatchings however this is VERY different! The relationship I have with my geese is on an entirely different level. I can walk right up to Hansel and pick him up and love on him, even now during this "stressful" time, he will even seek me out & "talk" until I pick him up! Darla and Clyde were purchased from Atwoods two years ago, Darla has always been more friendly and accepting of being petted etc Clyde whom we thought was a male has been more stand offish, suspicious and not as fond of being touched. None the less I have a very strong love and devotion to my geese!
Aren't all "first timers" nervous nellie's?

Yes we are.

 

[fowlmama]

Although. ...when it comes to matters of the heart & babies......I think I'll forever be nervous. ...

 

[fowlmama]

Miss Lydia, thank you for the ovation! Can you tell me what it means exactly? Stinks being a newbie & not knowing all the in's & outs :0)