How to Raise Goose Eggs

Hatching goose eggs can be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Goose eggs are incubated for 28 days. The incubation process is simple and you can do it with just a few basic supplies. Styrofoam incubators are widely available and work well for goose eggs. The most important thing to remember when hatching out geese is to keep the temperature inside your incubator at a constant 99.5 degrees. Incubators vary depending on the manufacture so always read and follow the instructions that came with your incubator for regulating temperature.

Things You'll Need

  • Room temperature goose eggs
  • Incubator
  • Large automatic egg turner
  • Water bottle with spray cap
  • Brooder box/a cardboard box works well
  • Clip-on heat lamp
  • Chick starter
  • Water dish
  • Food dish
  • Pencil
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Instructions

  1. Preparing the Incubator

    • 1

      Plug in your incubator. Place the automatic egg turner in the incubator and plug it in.

    • 2

      Place the thermometer in the center of the incubator on top of the egg turner.

    • 3

      Fill the well at the bottom of the incubator with water and place the incubator's lid securely on top.

    • 4

      Set the incubator's temperature control to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and let the temperature stabilize for a minimum of 48 hours. Monitor the temperature closely. Follow the manufacturers instructions on adjusting the temperature control.

    Incubation

    • 5

      Remove the lid and carefully put your goose eggs into the automatic egg turner. The small end of the egg should always be facing down. Place the thermometer on top of the eggs.

    • 6

      Replace the lid.

    • 7

      Monitor the temperature closely for the next 25 days. Once a day briefly lift the lid and spray the eggs lightly with your water bottle. Refill the water well if it runs dry.

    • 8

      On day 26 remove the eggs from the automatic egg turner and lay them directly on the wire mesh. The egg turner needs to be taken out of the incubator at this time. Decrease the temperature to 98.5 degrees. Stop spraying the eggs with water and for the next three days turn the eggs by hand a half turn three times a day.

    • 9

      Your geese will begin to hatch around day 28. Do not disturb them or try to help them. Remove the empty shells from the incubator after the goslings are completely free.

    Brooding

    • 10

      While your eggs are hatching you can get your brooder box ready. A cardboard box works nicely with a clip-on heat lamp attached to the top. Cover the bottom with one inch of wood shavings.

    • 11

      Turn on the heat lamp to let the box warm up.

    • 12

      Fill the water and food dishes and place them in the brooder box.

    • 13

      After all your eggs have hatched transfer the goslings to the brooder box.

    • 14

      Keep a supply of fresh water and food in with the goslings at all times. Change the wood chip litter daily.