Who's the Daddy?

[Larksy]

My Emden goose recently hatched four goslings. Three are yellow with tinges of gray, while one is yellow with slightly darker markings. I initially believed the father was my young Emden gander, as he was always protecting her nest. But now I'm starting to wonder because of the markings of the one chick. I do own three aged, mixed-breed ganders who have appointed themselves guardians of the goslings. My question is, are eggs in a clutch all typically fertilized by the same gander?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't know for sure in geese, but most poultry are opportunist breeders, so if another male could mate with the female it will. Eggs can be fertilized by different males.