Toulouse Geese Thread

[pagumby]

I have a theory on the old-eggs-in the-nest thing.

1.Is that the goose puts the older ones on the outside of the clutch to protect the viable ones. It's a throwback to the days when they nested in the wild. An egg-stealing predator will go for the fastest egg they can get in the nest; the ones on the outside. So the non-viable ones are snatched first leaving the viable ones to develop.

2. is to increase the warmth of the nest as a whole. The warmed-up nonviable eggs cool down slower than the ambient air allowing for the nest to stay warm while Mom is off eating, crapping and drinking during her broody time. Think of them as heat-sinks.

Since it is rare for a non-viable egg to go so bad as to burst its nastiness throughout the nest, I'd keep them in there. Now please note I am not a scientist, nor an expert on Geese and egg laying. These are just theories. 

And on a side note: I caught Buddy my Toulouse Gander shagging Molly our Toulouse goose the other day. Previously, they hated each other and kept at a distance. I almost fainted. I might get totally Toulouse babies this year!!

I like you theory. Now I'm thinking, my first thought was to remove the middle eggs because they would have been there longer. But what you say "in theory" makes sense as well. I'll give her one more week to decide to sit or her eggs will be breakfast!!

 

[barredmuscovy]

hes not mean just protecting his goose

 

[barredmuscovy]

 

[barredmuscovy]

 

[subhanalah]

hes not mean just protecting his goose

what a good husband!

 

[barredmuscovy]

isn't he though and here's mother

 

[Dawnrenae]

...

I have had my Toulouse goose for a week now and I have to say she is lovely. she is 4 months old and is beginning to feel comfy here. I also have an Embden gander, I hope others will share pics of their Toulouse and knowledge they have about

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote: Missy will be 2 yrs old next month can't hardly believe it.

 

[Dawnrenae]

Missy will be 2 yrs old next month can't hardly believe it. 

Probably rude of me to ask, as I just started reading this thread...

I am sure the answer is here, but, to save some time, Miss Lydia, may I pick your brain?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Probably rude of me to ask, as I just started reading this thread...

I am sure the answer is here, but, to save some time, Miss Lydia, may I pick your brain?

Sure I'll try to help.