The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: jameslindsay on March 26, 2010, 11:42:28 pm

Title: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: jameslindsay on March 26, 2010, 11:42:28 pm

Last week I put 3 of my goose eggs in the incubator, not really expecting anything to happen. However, I have just "candled" them and so far 2 of them have started to develop so hoping to successfully hatch these eggs next month, never hatched geese before.

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: Hermit on March 27, 2010, 09:01:56 am

They make great Yorkshire puddings as well!!

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: little blue on March 27, 2010, 05:56:41 pm

very exciting!

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: harry on March 27, 2010, 09:02:39 pm

HERMIT how do you get geese to make yorkshire puddings, mine just waddle about eating.

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: whitby_sam on March 27, 2010, 09:17:33 pm

LOL!

I've decided against incubating any more goose eggs after I had an explosion, and instead am going to buy 20 X Day old Embden Heavy Strain from a local breeder. Suprisingly reasonable too!

What ratio should I aim for? Would 5 Ganders to 15 geese be ok or should I have more (or less)? I know geese aren't as "randy" as chickens but I don't thing they specifically pair off either do they?

I should say I want geese as much for eating as I do for eggs and hatching eggs. Maybe I'll be blessed with a couple of broody chooks this summer so I can replenish my stocks cheaply. I also have a lot of grass to keep down and feel that 20 (+) geese will do as good a job as my tractor and save me time, money and fuel in the process.

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: jameslindsay on March 27, 2010, 09:44:51 pm

I think geese do pair off. The first 3 I had turned out to be all boys and during the mating season they were very nasty to eachother.

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: egglady on March 27, 2010, 11:53:21 pm

so you did it then!  Great news, cant wait to see the wee darlings - do geese waddle?

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 28, 2010, 12:23:54 pm

they do. if you kill one of the pair kill the other,

Title: Re: Goose eggs in incubator
Post by: Hermit on March 28, 2010, 08:35:43 pm

Harry,why should I get the geese to do the cooking when I have a man to do that!