3 Ways To Hatch A Goose Egg - WikiHow

Home » How Long To Hatch A Goose Egg » 3 Ways To Hatch A Goose Egg - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Hatch a Goose Egg PDF download Download Article Learn to safely collect, incubate, and hatch a goose egg Author Info

Last Updated: October 17, 2025 Approved

PDF download Download Article
  • Collecting Goose Eggs
    • |
  • Natural Incubation
    • |
  • Artificial Incubation
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 14 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 190,800 times. Learn more...

Geese eggs require warm temperatures and high humidity to hatch. You can use an incubator to hatch the eggs or opt for a more natural method, depending on the resources available to you.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Collecting Goose Eggs

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Gather the eggs in the spring. 1 Gather the eggs in the spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, most geese breeds begin laying their eggs in March or April. Chinese breeds begin in winter, though, around January or February.
    • Note that these months will change if you life in the Southern Hemisphere. Most breeds lay eggs in August or September, with Chinese breeds laying eggs in June and July.
  2. Step 2 Collect the eggs in the morning. 2 Collect the eggs in the morning. Geese generally lay their eggs in the morning, so you should collect them late in the morning.[1]
    • You should also collect eggs at least four times throughout the day to catch any that arrive at unusual times.
    • Do not give your geese access to swimming facilities until later in the morning, after you have collected the first batch of eggs. Otherwise, the eggs could break.
    Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Provide nest boxes. 3 Provide nest boxes. Line each box with soft nesting material, like shavings or straw.
    • The use of nest boxes can prevent more egg breaks.
    • Provide one 20 inch (50 cm) nest box for every three geese in your flock.
    • If you want to speed up the production of your eggs, you can also shine artificial light on the nest boxes throughout the day and evening.
  4. Step 4 Know which geese to collect from. 4 Know which geese to collect from. As a general rule, fertility is 15 percent higher and hatchability is 20 percent higher when eggs are collected from a mature female geese, rather than a geese who is only a year old and in her first season of laying.[2]
    • Of course, your odds will also improve when you select eggs from healthy, well-fed geese.
    • Geese that are allowed to swim generally tend to be cleaner, which keeps the eggs cleaner, as well.
  5. Step 5 Clean the eggs. 5 Clean the eggs. Dirty eggs should be lightly cleaned with a brush, a piece of sandpaper, or a piece of steel wool. Avoid using water to clean the eggs.[3]
    • If you must use moisture, wipe the eggs down lightly with a clean, damp cloth. The temperature of the water should be about 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), since it must remain warmer than the temperature of the egg. Warm water causes the egg to "sweat" dirt out of its pores.
    • Never soak the egg in water since bacteria is likely to grow if you do.
    • Dry the eggs thoroughly before storing them.
  6. Step 6 Fumigate the eggs. 6 Fumigate the eggs.[4] Fumigation disinfects the eggs. You can technically skip this step, but following it will reduce the likelihood of bacteria finding its way into the egg through the shell.
    • Place the eggs in a small room or chamber that can be tightly sealed off.
    • Release formaldehyde gas directly into the chamber. You can usually purchase it in a 40 percent water solution known as "formalin," or in powder form, called "paraformaldehyde." Closely follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning the manner in which you must release the formaldehyde gas. Since formaldehyde gas is toxic, do not breath it in.
    • If you cannot use a chemical fumigant, place the eggs in single layers and lay them out in direct sunlight for the morning and afternoon. The solar radiation should act as a disinfectant.
  7. Step 7 Store the eggs briefly. 7 Store the eggs briefly. Place them in a styrofoam carton and store the eggs for seven days in a cooled area. The temperature should be kept between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 16 degrees Celsius), with 70 to 75 percent humidity.
    • Never store the eggs in temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) or in humidity below 40 percent.
    • Slant or turn the eggs as you store them. The small end should be pointed down.
    • After 14 days of storage, hatchability dramatically declines.
    8. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Natural Incubation

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Use Muscovy ducks, when possible. 1 Use Muscovy ducks, when possible. You can use geese to hatch their own eggs, but doing so can be expensive and difficult since geese do not lay while sitting on their eggs. Muscovy ducks provide the ideal conditions.
    • Turkeys and chicken hens can work well, too.
    • Natural incubation is believed to produce the best results overall, but if you cannot use natural incubation, artificial means will also work.
    • Make sure that the hens you use are already broody. In other words, they need to have laid enough eggs of their own for their natural instincts to kick in and demand a period of brooding.
  2. Step 2 Lay the eggs under the bird. 2 Lay the eggs under the bird. For a Muscovy duck, place six to eight eggs underneath her. For a chicken hen, you can only fit about four to six eggs.
    • If you do use a goose to hatch her own eggs, you can place 10 to 15 eggs under her.
  3. Step 3 Turn the eggs by hand. 3 Turn the eggs by hand. If using ducks or chicken hens, the eggs will be too large for the birds to turn naturally. You'll need to turn the eggs by hand on a daily basis.
    • Wait until the bird leaves the nest to eat and drink.
    • After 15 days, sprinkle the eggs with lukewarm water when you turn them.
  4. Step 4 Candle the eggs. 4 Candle the eggs. After the tenth day, pass the eggs under a bright light to look inside. Infertile eggs should be discarded and fertile eggs should be returned to the nest.
  5. Step 5 Wait until the eggs hatch. 5 Wait until the eggs hatch. Incubation can take 28 to 35 days, and hatching can take as long as three days.
    • Keep the conditions of the nest clean throughout this entire period and continue turning the eggs each day during the entire process.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Artificial Incubation

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Choose your incubator. 1 Choose your incubator. Typically speaking, you can choose between forced-air incubators and still-air incubators.
    • Incubators that can be set for slow air movement maintain a more even distribution of air, temperature, and humidity throughout the incubator, so you'll be able to hatch more eggs with this type of machine.
    • As a general rule, though, still-air incubators are the most difficult machine to manage air flow in, so a rapid forced-air incubator is still a better option.
  2. Step 2 Set the temperature and humidity. 2 Set the temperature and humidity. The exact conditions will vary based on the type of incubator you use.
    • Set the temperature of a forced-air incubator between 99 and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 and 37.5 degrees Celsius) with a relative humidity of 60 to 65 percent. A wet bulb thermometer should read from 83 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit (28.3 to 31.1 degrees Celsius).
    • For a still-air incubator, set the temperature between 100 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 and 38.3 degrees Celsius) at egg height, noting that there can be a full 5 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) difference between the top and bottom of the incubator. The humidity should be between 60 and 65 percent, for a wet bulb reading of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) during incubation.
  3. Step 3 Space the eggs apart evenly. 3 Space the eggs apart evenly. Lay the eggs in your incubator, spacing them apart evenly and in single layers.
    • For best results, lay the eggs horizontally. Doing so can increase hatchability.
    • Try to keep the machine at least 60 percent full. If the incubator is emptier than this, adjust the temperature so that it is warmer by 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius).
  4. Step 4 Turn the eggs four times each day. 4 Turn the eggs four times each day.[5] You should turn the egg by 180 degrees each time.
    • Turning the eggs by 90 degrees could decrease the number of viable eggs.
  5. Step 5 Sprinkle the eggs with warm water. 5 Sprinkle the eggs with warm water. Once a day, you should sprinkle the eggs with a little warm water. Goose eggs require a high humidity, and this water can help maintain that ideal humidity.
    • After 15 days pass, you should submerge the eggs every other day for one minute. Make sure that the water is 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius).
  6. Step 6 Transfer eggs to a hatcher after 27 days. 6 Transfer eggs to a hatcher after 27 days. You'll need to transfer the eggs from the main body of the incubator to a separate hatcher compartment when they are just about ready to hatch. Most eggs hatch between 28 and 35 days.
    • If past experience indicates that your geese eggs hatch at less than 30 days of age, you should transfer the eggs to the hatcher earlier. Try to give the eggs at least three days to hatch.
  7. Step 7 Maintain the proper temperature and humidity settings. 7 Maintain the proper temperature and humidity settings. The temperature in the hatcher should remain at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) with a relative humidity of 80 percent.
    • Once the visible hatching process starts, reduce the temperature to 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit (36.5 degrees Celsius) and the humidity to 70 percent.
    • Before placing the eggs in the hatcher, you should dip or sprinkle them with warm water. The water should be about 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit (37.5 degrees Celsius).
  8. Step 8 Let the eggs hatch completely. 8 Let the eggs hatch completely. The eggs usually take up to three days before hatching.
    • Allow the goslings to remain in the hatcher for two to four hours before moving them to brooders.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search 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 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 19
  • Question How is it possible that the mother eats her eggs? M Mourlam 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 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 13
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

  • Nesting boxes
  • Sandpaper, brush, steel wool, or damp rag
  • Styrofoam egg containers
  • Fumigant, like formaldehyde
  • Fumigation chamber
  • Brooding hens
  • Incubator

You Might Also Like

Hatch Quail ChicksHow toHatch Quail Chicks Use an Incubator to Hatch EggsHow toUse an Incubator to Hatch Eggs Hatch Turkey Eggs in an IncubatorHow toHatch Turkey Eggs in an Incubator Hatch a Mallard Duck EggHow toHatch a Mallard Duck Egg Hatch Chicken EggsHow toHatch Chicken Eggs Create an Egg Incubator for Wild Bird EggsHow toCreate an Egg Incubator for Wild Bird Eggs Breed ChickensHow toBreed Chickens Make a Simple Homemade Incubator for ChicksHow toMake a Simple Homemade Incubator for Chicks Care for a GooseHow toCare for a Goose Care for a Leopard Gecko EggHow toCare for a Leopard Gecko Egg Collect Chicken EggsHow toCollect Chicken Eggs How to Clean and Prepare Eggs for Incubation Take Care of Lizard EggsHow toTake Care of Lizard Eggs Breed QuailHow to Raise & Breed Quail at Home Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/poultry-and-birds/species/geese-raising/egg-production
  2. ↑ https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/poultry-and-birds/species/geese-raising/egg-production
  3. ↑ http://www.fao.org/3/y4359e/y4359e0a.htm
  4. ↑ http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4359e/y4359e0a.htm
  5. ↑ https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8127.pdf

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 190,800 times. 5 votes - 100% Co-authors: 9 Updated: October 17, 2025 Views: 190,800 Categories: Poultry In other languages Spanish Russian German French Portuguese Indonesian Italian
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 190,800 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Mary Martin

    Mary Martin

    Feb 20, 2019

    "I have adopted 6 goose eggs and needed to refresh my memory, as it's been several years since my last..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

About This Article

Co-authors: 9 Updated: October 17, 2025 Views: 190,800 100% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Mary Martin

Mary Martin

Feb 20, 2019

"I have adopted 6 goose eggs and needed to refresh my memory, as it's been several years since my last..." more Chris Stevens

Chris Stevens

Jul 22, 2017

"All the information was helpful for me, as I purchased some Sebastopol geese and they are starting to lay eggs. I..." more Dorothy Gallo

Dorothy Gallo

Mar 6, 2017

"I ordered geese and ducks, and expect delivery the end of this month. I'm doing all the research I can to take..." more Ley Chambers

Ley Chambers

Aug 11, 2019

"Looking to start collecting eggs and was thinking of brooding some. This article was really helpful, since I was..." more Christine Lourenco

Christine Lourenco

Apr 12, 2017

"I was told that goose eggs take 35 days to hatch, and mine are hatching much earlier. It would appear from your..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Bird Am I QuizWhat Bird Am I QuizTake QuizGhost Hunting GameGhost Hunting GamePlayHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizTake QuizQuick IQ TestQuick IQ TestTake QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizMinecraft Trivia QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Hatch Quail ChicksHow toHatch Quail ChicksUse an Incubator to Hatch EggsHow toUse an Incubator to Hatch EggsHatch Turkey Eggs in an IncubatorHow toHatch Turkey Eggs in an IncubatorHatch a Mallard Duck EggHow toHatch a Mallard Duck Egg

Featured Articles

215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas215+ Funny & Creative Personalized Vanity Plate Ideas100+ Creative Ways to Say Good Night100+ Creative Ways to Say Good NightWhy Can't I Sleep QuizWhy Can't I Sleep Quiz150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel Special150+ Love Paragraphs to Make Him Feel SpecialWhat Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic MeaningsWhat Does Your Tattoo Placement Mean? Spiritual & Aesthetic Meanings19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the World19 of the Rarest Wonders from around the World

Trending Articles

Make OutHow toMake OutAm I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?Am I a Gigachad or Totally Chopped?How Rare Is My Birthday QuizHow Rare Is My Birthday Quiz180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any Argument180 Good Comebacks & Savage Roasts to Win Any ArgumentWhat Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)What Are the Gay Male Body Types (And Which Do You Have?)Random Fortune GeneratorRandom Fortune Generator

Featured Articles

What Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is the Fun Scale? The 3 Types of Fun & Their BenefitsWhat Is My Aesthetic QuizWhat Is My Aesthetic Quiz Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the HolidaysHow to Celebrate Xmas: Expert Advice on Enjoying the HolidaysHilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids LaughHilarious Clean Jokes That’ll Make Adults & Kids LaughAm I Ready For A Relationship QuizAm I Ready For A Relationship QuizWhy Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)Why Is He Ignoring Me? 12 Possible Reasons (Plus, What to Do)

Featured Articles

A Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body TypeA Complete Style Guide for the Gamine Kibbe Body Type Tell if You’re in LoveHow to Tell if You’re in LoveWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhich Chaotic Evil Villain Am I QuizWhat Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?What Does It Mean If Someone Tries to Kill You in Your Dream?200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)200+ Best Questions to Ask Someone You Like (Texting & IRL)How Beautiful Am I QuizHow Beautiful Am I Quiz

Watch Articles

Wrap a Round GiftHow toWrap a Round GiftSteam in an OvenHow toSteam in an Oven Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesHow to Make Plant-Based Meat: 4 Incredible RecipesClean a Silver NecklaceHow toClean a Silver Necklace4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of Soda4 Easy Ways to Open a Can of SodaPart Your HairHow toPart Your Hair

Trending Articles

Is Your Personality More 6 or 7?Is Your Personality More 6 or 7?What Should My Name Really Be QuizWhat Should My Name Really Be QuizIs a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?Is a Guy You Don't Know Well Interested in You?Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Which Classic Christmas Movie Character Am I?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?Can We Guess If You're a Cat or Dog Person?What’s My Demigod Fatal Flaw QuizWhat’s My Demigod Fatal Flaw Quiz

Quizzes & Games

Am I Smart QuizAm I Smart QuizTake QuizIs Your Egg Bad?Is Your Egg Bad?Guess the Animal Photo QuizGuess the Animal Photo QuizTake QuizFinish the Phrase QuizFinish the Phrase QuizTake QuizIQ Test For KidsIQ Test For KidsTake QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizHow Disgusting Am I QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Pets and Animals
  • Birds
  • Bird Breeds
  • Poultry
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Let's go! X --622

Tag » How Long To Hatch A Goose Egg