Shipped Goose Hatching Eggs... info please.

[wbruder17]

I was shipped 3 goose eggs that got lost in the mail and took a week and 2 days to get here rather than 3. One of the eggs was ROTTEN and oozing (which my dog just ATE!! Ugh!)

The other 2 seem ok. I candled them and there is a large white spot on top. (Air sac?)

I have the eggs small side down, "settling" for 24 hours as I read I should do when eggs are shipped. I will candle them tomorrow again before I decide to set them.

Any info or advice would be appreciated, as I've never gotten shipped eggs before, never hatched geese, and certainly NEVER dealt with anything as foul as that rotten egg.

The eggs are dated February 6 and 7, which is also pretty old. How can I tell if the others a viable? Should I even bother trying to hatch them? Or should I just gie my broody some chicken eggs and call the whole endeavor a loss?

 

[pete55]

Hi - sorry to hear about your eggs and they do seem a little old but have been lost in the post. It seems the odds are against them due to age, time in transit and one egg decomposing. I would try to contact the seller to see if they would replace the eggs. In the meantime they may still be viable if you want to try them. Here's a link to help you - Pete

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...t-of-damaged-and-mal-positioned-egg-air-cells

 

[wbruder17]

Thanks Pete. The eggs were free, I only paid shipping, and the guy sold his geese anyway, so there's no sense in crying over spoled eggs!

I'm going to give them a shot. Can't hurt to try, as the hen is going to be broody anyway and might as well set a week longer. She won't know the difference. Wish us luck! I will be posting more about it in the future, I'm sure.

 

[pete55]

Best of luck and like you said there's nothing to lose. The broody hen will give you your best chance if they're still viable

 

[wbruder17]

Well, I candled again today before setting, and the eggs didn't look right. So I cracked and opened one and it was a nasty scramble. So.... its a no-go for the goose eggs. I gave the Silkie a new batch of 7, stuck the 2 day old batch under the EE, and added a couple to her clutch, for a slightly staggered hatch.

So not, I have 7 due to hatch on Tuesday, plus another 17 or so set under my other 2 hens. Oh well. I will trade 3 geese for 10 chicks. No biggie. And I'm only out $14 for a failed shipping.

I swear, the more a box is labeled FRAGILE, the more our postal system roughs up the package. I bet they lost it on purpose. Reminds me of Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, in the beginning of the movie when he is disguised as the ups guy.....

 

[pete55]

Shipping eggs is not without problems and its a pity there's nobody more local the would be willing to sell or trade.