Urgent Advice Needed

[Anonymous]

Hi

My goose started getting broody and trying to sit on her eggs however her boyfriend died so the eggs werent going to come to anything so i gave her some of the duck eggs to sit on think she will give up! But no she has sat on themall this time and two out of the five have hatched but i still have until tomorrow(Friday 25th June) for the other to hatch. Just needing to know should i take the other eggs away on saturday or leave them just a couple of extra days?? Do you think she will be happy enough if i move her to a new house with the two ducklings because she share the house with the big ducks and isnt to happy when they come in at night even though she has a her own bit they cant get into. If i move her should i move the eggs that havent hatched?I dont want to stress her and for her leave the babies.At the moment i feel im stressing her everytime i go in to let out the others and change food and water.

Any advice would be great.

 

[Davidd]

Hello, i would leave her where she is until she comes off- she will decide- the ducklings will be fine for a day or two- just put food ans water close and make sure you have a low drinker that the ducklings cant drown in. Also you need to feed them duck or goose crumb- not chick crumb. If the other eggs are no good she will come off when she knows they are not going to hatch-as long as there is food available she and the ducklings will be fine. Once hatched then you can move her to a new house- but give the other eggs a chance.
regards David

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David

Thanks for that, the ducklings were born between tuesday night and wednesday morning and are both healthy running around the house and eating and drinking well. However mrs goose has now flattened her very high nest she made and is always wandering around the house does this mean it would be ok to move her now?I cant see any of the eggs that are left.I read they can hatch 2 days either side of the 28 day mark and 30 days will be today(friday) I Wouldnt be moving her until Saturday/Sunday just so i have an extra pair of hands as she attacks when you go in and near the duckling and im scared incase she stands on them.

I know i should have really found out all this well before hatching time.AS i said i didnt think she was going to sit on them full term.

When can i let them outside? I have other duckling i bought when they were 4 weeks old and the guy said to keep them in for a couple more weeks but they were hacthed with an incubator will it still be the same with the goose hatching them??

 

[Davidd]

Hi, i would move her now she has given up sitting- the eggs probably wont hatch as the ducklings are two days old- I would keep her in with some low water dishes/bowls for a few days maybe a week- the goose will look after them but as they are ducklings they will be small and can be taken by magpies/crows/hawks etc- even if you can let them out for mum to have a good wash and an hour of grass it will do them good- can you let them out when you are there to supervise? and keep them in when no one around-then after a week or two they should be big enough to stick with mum- she will guard them well- good luck and keep us informed
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again David,

Some else on a different forum says to move her when its dark?? Because theres less chance she will stand on them however mine seem to be very active at night so not sure if that is a good idea.later afternoon seems to be a quiet time with them so far.

I already have the house with a run for them all set up I was just waiting for some advice on the matter as this is my first time for hatching.They are very bold for only being two days old i think she is going to have her work cut out keeping an eye on them!! lol

I will try and get a picture of them to put up too.

Thanks again

 

[Davidd]

Hi, can you not just let her out and "walk" them to their new house/run? it will be easier than catching them- just take your time and go at their pace- the goose will lead them
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

No the grass is quiet long i think they would struggle to get through it plus i would be a bit bothered if the others came while i was moving her, she is fine once you get hold of her.

If i have someone to help this evening i may move her then. If not it will be tomorrow.