Hello all, Found an egg this morning laid to one side of the nest but not in it. The nest was covered up neatly.If I take all the eggs away over 7 days old there will only be three left as the lay every other day. Unsure as to wether I should remove the lot which seems a bit cruel or leave a few? The broken egg I found had a very thin shell and was one of the oldest ones. Think it just got bashed as there are so many in there. regards to all Mama.
It's difficult as I am only experienced with Ducks, but we suspect ducks and geese are more similar than ducks and chickens! lol
I think just watch and see. If she has covered the eggs up she may be getting ready to brood and is hiding them from predators, or he may have decided for herself that the eggs are too old to brood now and may have gone back to normal laying as todays egg is not in a "nest". If she starts brooding, she will push the duff ones out of the nest in due course.
Does she sit on the nest at all?
Regards,
Sarah.
Hello Sarah, Thank you for replying, do appreciate it. She is not sitting at all but does cover the nest when she has laid. I do think you are right about ducks and geese being more similar than chucks. Just had some good news ,Gorden is going tomorrow morning to his new home and perhaps that will help. Fingers and all other parts crossed!!! Have a good weekend. Regards Mama
Sarah, Me again, Just had a thought. How are we going to transport Gorden with the least stress possible.I seem to remember reading that you can put them in a hessian sack. What do you or anyone else think. Would a cardboard box be better. Thanks Mama
Hi Mama,
I would go for the box so he doesn't roll around in the back of the car. He will hunker down inside it so make sure he has enough room to stretch his leg out behind him, should the journey be longer than 30mins.
You have my email if you need any more ideas as although I have answered here a lot today, I don't always log in.
It will be sad to see him go but it's for the best in the long run.
Regards,
Sarah
Thank you so much Sarah, a cardoard box it wil be. I too shall miss him as they all have there own characters. Sure it is for the best. Thanks for the offer of emailimg if I need it ,very kind. Bye for today. Promise !!!!!!! Mama
Hi Mama,
I am pleased that you have found Gordon a good home but sad for you that he had to go but it is for the best. Hope he went ok and travelled well and has settled at his new home.
I hope that your geese will start to sit soon.
Best Wishes
Sara @ farmingfriends
Thank you Sara, Life for the trio is so much better and calmer.Must say, even though he reaked havoc, that I do miss him and we shall go and visit sometime soon. He was so well behaved when I put him in his box and gave him a kiss goobye, the lady that took him could not believe a goose could be so tame.She should have seen him with Sid!! The trio now go to bed almost unaided and without a lot of shouting once inside . Sid has become even more friendly and loves to be hand fed and brings his girls with him . Sally is first in but Grace by name and nature is last to come. Still no sign of broodiness but I live in hope .Humomgous nests and loads of eggs in them . Sods law that I spend half of the summer putting one of my hens in the sin bin!!!!!!! and they are hybrid layers. Thanks to everyone for the support and advice, Very best wishes to all who are buying and hatching waterfowl. Mama.
Your geese sound wonderful. I hope gordon settles in well in his new home and that you are pleased with your new found calm :)
Sarah
Can I suggest you move the nest and take half the eggs away and see what she does. I think she may have got herself confused, a lot of ducks and geese don't go broody so perhaps she is one of them or she is just inexperienced.
Perhaps Mike (Hazlia) will be able to give you better advice as he doesn't have much problem with his geese?
Regards,
Sarah
Hello Sarah, Thank you for the advise, the weather here is forecast to be very warm 21to 22 degs so will give it a day or so and then follow your advise.Do you mean to actually move the nest form a to b ? because I don't think I could bring myself to destroy it. sloppy or what ? Shall I remove the older eggs.? I think Mike is in full summer and as you know birds do tend to go broody then. Thank you for taking the time to answer as always very greatful. Mama x
Hi All. Found another egg not in the nest but just to one side this morning so investigated. Right at the bottom of the nest covered in straw was a broken egg. The underneath of 9 eggs had yolk on them . Do you think she new and this is why she has not bothered sitting? I have now moved the nest to the opposite side of the house and what a job, the bottom was built like a wall from saw dust,tobacco leaves and straw, it was so solid that even a kick did not loosen it. I have left her 9 of the freshest and clean eggs and also some clean straw. Forever hopeful. Mama
ah well, once the eggs are damaged she knows they are contaminated. Best to clear any remnants of the spoiled eggs, removing any mucky twigs etc it would have to be spotlessly clean. fingers crossed.
Sarah L
You must log in to post.