Goose eggs hatching in nest

[Anonymous]

One of the geese has been sitting on her enormous nest for a month or so and this morning I see broken egg shell which I assume she has flung out the nest. Am very excited!! If she's a clever girl and eggs hatch successfully, what should I do? Do I remove the chicks? Do they need heat? What feed do I give them? I assume leaving them with mum would put them at risk of being trodden on? We have Brecon Buffs and they are an absolute joy - even though I am new to geese, they have been delightful to watch particularly during the breeding season - how they look out for each other and if ever any of the females comes off the nest just for a wee leg stretch and a nibble to eat - they all come rushing up to the house to watch over the proceedings. It seems like a proper community effort - my oh my, how they shame we humans! Any thoughts. I apologise as I assume all this will have been covered previously but I couldn't seem to get the FAQs to come up. Many thanks in anticipation. N

 

[Davidd]

Hello, just leave her to it The geese will look after them- all of the geese- just make sure she has a very low water dish so the goslings can drink- feed them duck or goose crumbs at first- just give them that- no other food for the mum- she will bring them off when ready - have you got plenty of grass- they wil start grazing straight away- you only need to worry about crows, magpies and other predators while they are very small- but the parents should keep an eye out and be very protective and great guards
Enjoy- they soon grow.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

David - many thanks for your reply. I am pleased that your advice is to leave nature to do what she does best - albeit with the odd hiccup now and then. Yes, we have plenty of grass. Crows and a sparrowhawk might pose a problem, but if you are happy that the gang will sort them out then - we will sit back and admire and not interfere. The house could do with a good clear out as I have left them undisturbed, so a spot of spring-cleaning won't go amiss once she's off the nest. Thank you. Blessings. Nettle

 

[Davidd]

Hello, she will probably sit tight for a day or two- goslings are a little unsteady on their feet for one or two days- she will bring them out and the whole flock will be very interested in them- lots of noise and excitment - the others will help to guard them so predators should not be a problem during the day- and if they are locked up at night then no problems then either.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

David - many thanks for your advice. We have 5 goslings from two geese. One sadly died - I think it had been trodden on in all the excitement. 2 didn't make it through the hatching and were "still-hatched" for want of a better term. One of the survivors has a messed up leg. It's right leg seems to bend the wrong way so that it drags behind and makes getting about pretty awkward. We have attempted to righten it by putting it in the correct position and securing it and the wee dot is still getting about - albeit a bit behind her nest buddies. The right foot doesn't seem to function. They are all out in their field enjoying the sun on their backs with the flock all guarding them - as you said. What a lovely experience. Is there anything we can do about the dodgy leg David? Will the wee sole adapt? Am thinking that I will leave it to nature to do what's right - survival of the fittest and all that - although it's tempting to interfere in some way. I hope the sun is shining for you as it is here. Happy times. N