Tips on Incubating Goose Eggs?

[Bleenie]

I posted in Geese but haven't gotten any replies so I figured I'd try here

My Aunt stopped by to visit yesterday and brought me a nest of Goose eggs, Brown Chinese or African she thinks. I tossed 1 egg that was bad but the other 12 looked good so they're intor now with some duck eggs i already had set.

I have never incubated or hatched Goose eggs before so I am looking for tips on their incubation requirements & what to expect when hatch time comes, i know i have to help my muscovies sometimes but the other duck eggs do fine on their own. All i know is that their incubation period takes around 30 days?

ETA: I was using a wash cloth for humidity but had to switch to a dish because of the amount of eggs and how much moisture the scovy eggs alone are sucking up!

thanks everyone

18 khaki, 3 muscovy, 3 chicken & the goose eggs.

 

[mominoz]

There is a book , called "The book of Geese", by Dave Holderread that has helpful tips. Genrally gooose eggs are harder to incubate

-- a few quick notes: "( bring to room temp first, important that large end is slightly elevated,do not disturb eggs first 24 hrs.,forced air machines 99.5, still air, warmer,101.5-102.5since only top of eggs are warmed.thermometer at level of top of egg., watch temp last 7-10 days as they heat up ,most drop temp 1-2 degrees after day 27.,humidity 55-62%,-65% if washed.increase humidity last few days gradually to 75%. Turning, some will hatch if you only turn once or twice a day, but high hatche rates need 3-5 turnings a day.-strting 24-36 hours after set. Stop turning last three days. The eggs need some ventilation, but not so much you lose humidity. cooling: 5-7 minutes a day second week, 8-10 third week,10-15 the first 3 days of the 4th week.repeated over cooling is fatal.(up to 12 hours once or twice max. allowed).Most spray or dip eggs with lukewarm water once daily from days7-28 .On hatching: often take 72 hours. may need extra air for hatching goslings, but may need to add wet towel to keep humidity up, 28th day add 100degee water to pans and if possible do not open until day 30, when hatch should be complete." p. 64,65.

 

[EL Pato]

Hello Bleeni, I am getting ready to set some goose and call eggs. This is my first time hatching anything. I was wondering if you could post some pics of your incubator and set up. I am still building mine.

 

[Bleenie]

I posted a picture of the eggs in the incubator. I am using a still air HovaBator. It's been doing great holding the temp and humidity but I did switch back to a wet cloth because the dish of water was not working very well.

I am keeping the humidity at about 50% right now and turning all the eggs at least 3 times a day. The incubator is at 100F but I am worried i might mess up the other eggs if i turn it up higher, input?

 

[Suzie]

Hi Bleenie,

I purchased an incubator in England - it is fully automated for turning and humidity.

It does state that the temperature is set at 37.5 degrees ( centigrade ) and the humidity set at 45% for the first 30 days for large goose eggs.

It also recommends that the auto turner is turned off at day 30 and that the humidity level is raised to 65% for the remaining days - they do say that normally large goose eggs take around 33-35 days to hatch but can be up to 36 days....

I can only tell you what the instructions say - mine are Toulouse and Embden.

It is day 30 today and I have just stopped the auto turner - I will know in a few days whether or not I have any success - my geese are treading on their eggs and breaking them - so this is my first attempt at incubating - I will update on failings/success.

I am amazed that nobody responded on the goose forum to your question.....

Good luck!

 

[The Duck ABC's]

You know you can buy a replacement plastic tray for your incubator.
The plastic tray is 7.85 and the wire rack is 5 dollars. That will make it easier with the humidity.
https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=48&orderBy=sku

 

[Bleenie]

I tried using the plastic try that came with the incubator but it was always off on humidity, I have founf that a rolled up wash cloth works best for me. I also started to keep a towel or recieving blanket over the wire to protect the babies feet from the sharp edges so the humidity would have a problem getting through it. I still have the plastic try in there, just never use it.

The Duck ABC's :

You know you can buy a replacement plastic tray for your incubator.
The plastic tray is 7.85 and the wire rack is 5 dollars. That will make it easier with the humidity.
https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=48&orderBy=sku​

 

[Finding Roots Farm]

Hi Bleenie,

I purchased an incubator in England - it is fully automated for turning and humidity.

It does state that the temperature is set at 37.5 degrees ( centigrade ) and the humidity set at 45% for the first 30 days for large goose eggs.

It also recommends that the auto turner is turned off at day 30 and that the humidity level is raised to 65% for the remaining days - they do say that normally large goose eggs take around 33-35 days to hatch but can be up to 36 days....

I can only tell you what the instructions say - mine are Toulouse and Embden.

It is day 30 today and I have just stopped the auto turner - I will know in a few days whether or not I have any success - my geese are treading on their eggs and breaking them - so this is my first attempt at incubating - I will update on failings/success.

I am amazed that nobody responded on the goose forum to your question.....

Good luck!

I know this is an old post, but all the better!
What incubator do you have and how is it? I'm looking to upgrade!