Q&A for How to Hatch a Goose Egg

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

I made an incubator for my goose egg and peacock egg, will it work? It is a ten gallon fish tank with a heat lamp and paper bedding and straw.

Community Answer

Frankly, probably not. Goose eggs need to be kept at 98.5 F, whereas peahen eggs need to be at 102 F. Eggs also need humidity to hatch, and need to be turned several times a day. I would recommend getting a basic foam incubator (around $50 USD), as the conditions can be kept much more consistent.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 17
Question

How is it possible that the mother eats her eggs?

M Mourlam

Community Answer

Many types of animals are 'cannibalistic' per se, and may eat their own young. Chickens are known to eat their own eggs so it would be a similar outcome with any other birds like a goose.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 11
Question

Is too much humidity a problem?

Community Answer

Yes, you need to control the humidity to be as still as possible. Humidity should be 50-55% for the first 27 days, than increase the humidity to 75% for the remaining days.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
Question

What if I find it in the cold after it has been laid, will it hatch?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

As long as it's fertile, you can keep it in the incubator and it will most likely hatch. Fertile eggs that have just been laid can withstand room temperatures for up to a week.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 11
Question

How old does a goose need to be to lay an egg?

Community Answer

It depends on the variety of goose and time of year, but 12-14 months is a rough range.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 13
Question

How long can you keep the eggs in the nest before incubating?

Community Answer

Typically 7 days is the longest amount of time before the hatchability rate decreases.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12
Question

What if one egg doesn't hatch with the other eggs?

M Mourlam

Community Answer

That egg may take a little longer to hatch. The gosling inside the egg might be dead or not have formed at all. Just give the egg a little more time to see if it does end up hatching.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 14
Question

Do geese sit on their eggs?

Community Answer

Yes. Sometimes they leave to get food, though.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 15
Question

My grandson found a goose egg in the water at the edge of a pond. When he brought it home, it was very cold. I have started an artificial incubation. What is the likelihood that it will hatch?

M Mourlam

Community Answer

It's quite unlikely. It depends on how long the egg had been sitting there and how cold it got. It probably won't hatch, based on your description.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 18
Question

How do I hatch a goose egg?

Community Answer

You should let the goose hatch it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 22 Helpful 8
Question

If my incubator keeps changing temperature, will my egg still hatch?

Community Answer

It is very unlikely. The eggs must be kept at a steady temperature and humidity level. Although the goose will leave the eggs for short periods to feed, constant variations in temperature over the hatching period will prevent the eggs from hatching.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

What should I do if my goose lays a lot of eggs, but none of them will hatch?

Community Answer

If your goose is sitting on a clutch of eggs and none hatch, it could be for many reasons. The gander might not be fertilizing the eggs, to start, or the goose might not be a tight sitter. The eggs could also be lacking the correct temperatures or exposed to cold air too much.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can I keep the eggs in a small box with straw and a heat lamp if I don't have a goose or an incubator?

Community Answer

No, this is not a good idea. You need a constant temperature of 98.5 degrees F and constant humidity. With the box and straw method, you will have none of these conditions, and the probability of a successful hatching is very low.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can my country hen hatch goose eggs?

Community Answer

Yes, she can, but I would not put more than six goose eggs below the hen.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I hatch my geese eggs?

Community Answer

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

Even if the humidity is high, do I still have to sprinkle and submerge the eggs in warm water? Shouldn't it increase the humidity in the incubator?

Community Answer

Humidity is not enough. You want to simulate the goose going for a swim and coming back wet. It helps the air exchange to have a good wetting once a day.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Question

What is the difference between an incubator and a hatcher?

Community Answer

There actually isn't a difference, other than to separate groups in different stages of the incubation process.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
Question

Can a goose egg hatch if they're being refrigerated?

Community Answer

No keep a goose egg out to set for seven days, then put it in an incubator.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Can you hatch goose eggs and duck eggs together at the same time using an incubator?

Community Answer

Definitely! I once hatched guinea, duck, geese and chicken eggs in the same incubator. Geese and duck eggs do take longer to hatch then chicken or quail eggs, though.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

I found a goose egg. What should I do with it?

Community Answer

What breed is it? If it is fertile, hatch it. If not, eat it. They are the best-tasting eggs ever.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3