![]() Since the eggs are too large for most hens to turn by themselves, turn the eggs by hand daily when the hens leave the nest to eat and drink. It may take up to 3 days for hatching to be completed.ĭepending on the size of the bird, 4–6 eggs may be placed under a broody hen whilst a Muscovy duck may sit on 6–8 eggs. Some eggs from the lighter breeds may start pipping after 28 days, while eggs from the larger breeds may take 35 days. The actual period of incubation of goose eggs varies slightly with the breed. ![]() ![]() Eggs can be disinfected by fumigating them immediately after collection.Eggs will need to be handled and stored in this manner regardless of the method of incubation. Clean those eggs that are dirty by lightly rubbing with steel wool and wiping with a clean damp cloth. Select only uncracked eggs weighing at least 140 g and no more than 200 g.The longer the eggs are kept over 7 days, the poorer the hatching results. Eggs for incubation should be stored in a cool room at 15☌ - an airconditioned or refrigerated cabinet is ideal.Eggs should be collected at least twice (preferably four times) daily, and, as geese lay most of their eggs in the morning, the bulk of the eggs will be collected in the morning.Goose eggs can be hatched artificially, but results are better if Muscovies are used. Turkeys, hens and Muscovy ducks may be used satisfactorily to hatch out goslings - best results will be obtained from Muscovy ducks (which are really geese). Using geese to hatch out their own goslings is expensive and wasteful, since geese are not laying while they are sitting on the eggs. Natural incubation produces the best percentage of goslings hatched. It is best to have nest boxes in the shed and throughout the yard if large yards are used. ![]() Line them with suitable nesting material, such as shavings or straw, and allow one 50 cm × 50 cm nest box for every three geese in the flock. To reduce the incidence of egg breakages, provide nest boxes (shown at right) and encourage their use for laying. If geese are allowed to remain broody without being checked, egg production will be seriously affected. Put geese in broody coops as soon as they go broody. This will induce early onset of egg production, as it does in laying hens (see Primefact 604 – Lighting of poultry). Cross-breeding the Chinese breed with either Toulouse or Emden produces breeding stock of acceptable egg production and carcase. Chinese breeds are better egg producers than Toulouse or Emden breeds, but their smaller body is a disadvantage.
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