The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: DavidandCollette on May 20, 2016, 01:25:57 pm
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Hi I went to check the geese today and the three remaining eggs have disappeared. I do have a problem with crows etc stealing hens eggs. Are they capable of taking goose eggs?
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It could be, but it sounds more like rodents to me. Any sign of eggshells anywhere at all?
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Mink? Weasel? Stoat? Whatever it is will be fat and burping :yum: They would take the whole egg home with them I would think.
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Possibly a stupid statement but did you really root through the nest? When our geese first started laying they took about a week's 'break' I was checking the nest daily patting it down with my hand. Hubby happen to catch the goose unawares and she jumped off the nest, 5 eggs under her! Now I really root around when I check, down to the ground.
Dans
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Fox or badger? Neither would leave a trace.
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Possibly a stupid statement but did you really root through the nest? When our geese first started laying they took about a week's 'break' I was checking the nest daily patting it down with my hand. Hubby happen to catch the goose unawares and she jumped off the nest, 5 eggs under her! Now I really root around when I check, down to the ground.
Dans
This used to happen with my granddads geese too. It looked like there were no eggs there but they'd actually buried them right down underneath the straw and down.
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Mine are being stolen as well. No shell, no signs of any kind at all, in fact.
Thorough rummaging has found nothing, but at least one goose is sitting daily as the nest is warm. I've had 3 eggs from 2 geese so far this year! :gloomy:
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Glad it's not just me who has fallen victim to hidden eggs. I felt very silly.
If it's foxes or badgers would they only come after dark? Could checking the nests at sunset help.
If I know either of my geese has been sitting for a while I go out and shoo them off the nest to grab the egg. One benefit of being able to see our geese from the bedroom and kitchen lol.
Dans
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just a thought pay no attention if tpo silly, but could she be hiding thrm under her wings at all and lying elsewhere and then they get stolen? What are they like to handle? I wouldnt want them to hurt you.
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No wbf she is only concerned with the one goslingbut tthanks anyway