Prevention of Imprinting in Incubator Goslings

[judyc]

It's been YEARS since I raised goslings, so I would like some advice on how NOT to imprint them on myself.

My objective is to have calm geese; not pets.

How would be the best way to accomplish this with the newly hatched?

[Angela]

Leave them with Momma as long as possible, and keep interface with them to a minimum....at least until they are a little older.

[Patrick]

Good for you. What Angela said. The way to prevent them from becoming pets is to not make pets out of them. No talking to them, no feeding from the hand, do not ever get out of their way or back down. Make them get out of your way, every time. Walk around your pens so that their only choice is to get out of your way or get stepped on. Your body language should never show hesitation or submission. Learn to understand that none of this in any way indicates that you are mean or uncaring. Have some self respect, and don't let a bird dictate what you will do. It's really very simple.

[judyc]

Well, I don't have Momma. I bought these eggs and have no other geese. They will go into a brooder in the garage after hatching, and then outside as the weather improves. So, no talking and no hand-feeding. I can do that.

[Oregon Swedes]

judy, I don't know about raising them in the incubator. My goslings are raised by their mother and the mama goose has excellent manners. She teaches manners to her offspring, so it isn't an issue.

The people who have a lot of trouble with their geese appear to be raising them as pets with cuddling and hand feeding. It's probably OK to talk to them while they are in the brooder.

I've got shipped goose eggs in my incubator right now, and if I can get them to hatch, I plan to raise them just like I raise ducklings. That involves checking on the brooder multiple times a day and talking to them while I am giving care, but not picking them up or petting them. I don't want them to be pets, but I don't want them to be afraid of me, either.

I plan to try to graft any goslings that I hatch onto one of the parent geese outside and let them raise the goslings to be well mannered geese. I figure that is worth a try, and if not, well, then I will raise them in the brooder.

[Oregon Swedes]

Also, it is my understanding that imprinting happens right after birth. Since the goslings can be left in the hatcher for as much as 2 days without food and water, it is probably possible to pass right over that window to imprint.

[tinag210]

Patrick is correct. I've incubated/brooded Sebastopol geese several times without imprinting problems. Just fill feeders & waterers several times a day but don't "play" with them.

I just moved some outside and always find it interesting that the adults seem to think the goslings should be with them and will hang out around their cage. The adults make a ruckus when I feed and water the little ones, but never actually try to attack me.

[judyc]

Thank you for the info. I am so glad to find a forum that doesn't treat poultry like surrogate children. I have located another breeder of Buffs with a goose on the nest right now, so should be able to pair up the ones that hatch. I bought 12 eggs, but it appears only 4-5 are fertile. Is this normal with geese? I have much better fertility with my poultry. I don't know how the parent stock was housed or fed.

[judyc]

Well, here we go....They are due to hatch on May 7th, but I've got two bumping the air cell right now. Hoping that at least 3 hatch. I bought 12 eggs. One had a hole in it that I sealed with pariffin, to no avail. The rest were infertiles. So now I'm down to 4 eggs. One doesn't look good, two are bumping, and the last one has a big air cell, but no movement yet.

I did notice that every egg in the new Roll-X has hatched faster than they should. The temp is steady at 99.6,

[jungle]

It is likely that the thermometer is off a bit then. While thermometers can be a good tool to get you close, always use the hatch to give you your true measurement of temp.

[judyc]

I suspected as much, even though it's a brand new incubator, with brand new thermometers. Oh well.

Egg no. 3 is showing movement now. 4 is questionable. The other source has 7 Buffs under a goose. I'm hoping she has a great hatch! I'll be able to pair off 3 hopefully. That should be plenty.