goose

Geese only lay eggs in the spring. And I use the term spring as in the time frame from Feb- April. And then they're done for the year. But for the last several years, we've not had a gander, so all their eggs are unfertilized. But the geese are unaware of that. So we spend the first few months gathering their eggs when they're not around (the first month or so they lay one egg a day until they have about 10+ and then they'll start setting).  And then they start to set on unfertilized eggs...which means they sit their until the eggs rot and literally explode in the summer heat. And that stinks...mightily. This year a goose has built her nest between the little shed and the old dog pen/my garden area. They're now in panic mode, as between us, the dogs, the fox, and we think a raccoon...something is getting all their eggs. And they're mostly setting on their nest (they head to the pond for the night), which means they're being very aggressive towards us. Just hissing and tongue wagging for now; no actual charging. It helps that I put the garden door/gate between us when I enter. Last year we sold their eggs to a local produce man (Bobby's uncle), but too many other critters have been in the egg business this year to really have much to offer. I seriously considered bringing her some goslings this weekend (a local hardware store had some for sale), but with the fox , turtles, and hawk around I wasn't sure how long they would last, nor that she would adopt them.  I'm still considering it, as goslings are much cheaper than full grown geese. On the flip side, I know how much poop the generate and I've not forgotten them eating half of my green bean vines last year. Do we really want more of such creatures, even if they do follow you in a straight line or fly directly at you at feed time?