The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Llandovery Lass on March 30, 2011, 02:50:05 pm

Title: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: Llandovery Lass on March 30, 2011, 02:50:05 pm
My mother kept geese and always floated them in warm water quickly for about three days before they hatched, can only guess its to do with humidity and of course you can tell how many are alive and kicking. Looks like we have a potential 9 out of 12, but I,m not going to count my goslings before they hatch.
Also she always removed the eggs when they were hatching and finished them off over the rayburn and then fed them on oat and egg pellets. Does anyone know if this is the best way forward or do I leave the goose to get on with it and hope the gander does not eat them
Title: Re: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: darkbrowneggs on March 31, 2011, 01:36:14 pm
My mother kept geese and always floated them in warm water quickly for about three days before they hatched, can only guess its to do with humidity and of course you can tell how many are alive and kicking. Looks like we have a potential 9 out of 12, but I,m not going to count my goslings before they hatch.
Also she always removed the eggs when they were hatching and finished them off over the rayburn and then fed them on oat and egg pellets. Does anyone know if this is the best way forward or do I leave the goose to get on with it and hope the gander does not eat them

What are those and where does one buy them?

All the best
Sue
Title: Re: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: Hermit on March 31, 2011, 11:44:33 pm
I have always just left my geese to it, four nests found so far, all well apart so no leaving their own to look after others, some suspect nests through binnocs but not been able to find them when gone looking on foot. A yummy year ahead me thinks. I bank on half a nest hatching usually around five to seven per nest to slaughter age.
Title: Re: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: Llandovery Lass on April 01, 2011, 07:13:18 am
We used to mix porridge oats with beaten egg and form into longish, say 1 1/2 inch thin pellets and push them down their throats, they enjoyed it more than that sounds! Tried to get some non coccci chick crumbs but failed.
Title: Re: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: jaykay on April 01, 2011, 09:02:18 pm
I leave my geese to get on with it too - they sit well.

I feed breeders waterfowl pellets which are half way in size between chicken layers pellets and chick crumbs - both adults and goslings seem to be fine on this.
Title: Re: Just tested my goose eggs
Post by: Hermit on April 02, 2011, 07:41:42 am
My geese are free range and only get some corn/ mixed grain when the grass is frozen. Never fed a youngster as they are in the pot by the time that happens.