how long will a goose sit on dead eggs

How long do Canadian geese leave their eggs? If chick embryos develop to the pipping stage, or at first shell cracking at hatching, they are normally healthy enough to hatch unless some incubator adjustment prevents it from happening. Eggs hatch after 25 to 30 days of incubation. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or for pet food related questions. Finally, ensure that the goose has enough water and food so that it does not have to go far away from its nesting area. They rely on nutrition they build up and store prior to laying eggs. goose egg geese eggs american 6pcs tray big breeding chicken compared lay good season their How long do geese stay with their parents? 0000002724 00000 n The young, called goslings, can walk, swim, and feed within 24 hours. If you ever experience this, retrieve the good eggs from amongst the abandoned ones, and incubate them artificially. Additionally, you should not move around its eggs often as it may distract the goose. Even though this is rare, it still happens. Here are a few you can use. Shine a bright flashlight through the egg in a dark room, and look closely at the inside. Later on during the incubation period, she will probably leave the nest a little more for slightly longer periods of time. This question on whether a goose will sit on dead eggs normally comes up alongside other-breeding related questions. What Do Geese Do Once They Realize That Their Eggs Are Dead? If the nest is outside, ensure the goose is protected from magpies and crows (laying cut branches around open entrances can help). Geese are not as widely farmed as chickens, and when they are its usually for their meat and not for eggs. dead jersey geese goose removal ground nj animal How long can a hen leave her eggs before they die? If you allow dead geese eggs to stay alongside proper ones, they may end up affecting the good ones. So, if you have a goose that abandoned its eggs, you should watch it closely and see if it has some behavioral change. The best thing to do with dead geese eggs is to dispose of them. In this article, we will shed some light on the super-secretive nesting habits of geese. One of the main reasons why goose abandons their eggs is that they know every leg they lay has to start developing on the same day. But there is no chance of dead eggs hatching. The young, called goslings, can walk, swim, and feed within 24 hours. 7 Interesting Food Facts, Do Ducks And Rabbits Get Along? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. So the eggs die, but the goose continues to sit on them. Rearing geese for meat, eggs, or beautiful feathers is much easier than keeping chicken or other poultry birds. In this article, you will find information on how long geese can sit on dead eggs, the risks of them doing so, and what to do with dead geese eggs. Required fields are marked *. Listening to their calls may provide a clue; the male has a slower, low-pitched honk and the female makes a hink noise, higher-pitched and faster than the males. So, if you have a cat or ratthat disturbs the goose, get rid of it quickly. Eagles and hawks arent a threat because they also sleep during the night, and any predator swimming after the birds would send vibrations through the water, waking them up. 0 Misting and cooling also help raise the humidity around the eggs. Once they have internally pipped they will start using their lungs to breath air. Geese usually sit on 7 to 10 eggs. Or it may be due to problems like those to do with humidity or freezing. In the rest of this article, we discuss the readiness of geese to go broody on bad eggs. The dead eggs in question may be from the previous laying season, which remained in the nesting spot. Once a goose starts laying eggs, if you remove them, she will continue to lay. That means that the males of the remaining species must form new bonds each year by finding a new mate, investing in courtship displays and competing with other males. However, for goose eggs, you should maintain the same temperature until they pip. In the wild, geese can be pretty secretive about where they build their nests and lay their eggs. Then it abandons the clutch/nest. Apart from humans and predatorsdisturbing the goose, its fellow goose can also be a source of the disturbance. goose boiled cold In some cases, it can take as little as 24 hours for a goose to realize that. What do I do if I find a Canadian goose egg? [Explanation], Wheezing Chicken Treatment Essential Steps. There is more to the answer above. During co-nesting, before a bird starts laying its own eggs it will toss out other eggs laid previously by another female. For example, research on barnacle geese suggests that divorce occurs when birds become separated after spending their winters apart in other locations, but in this case, the birds lived together year round. You can collect and store them, ready for incubation, or you can leave them to accumulate in the nest. Hunting game is very good, but you also need to choose the right weapons and equipment. Why would a goose Doing this will help the goslings breathe better. Canada geese lay between four and nine eggs per year. And will a goose sit on unfertilized eggs? Read More: Goose Egg Incubation and Hatching Process Explained. Once all the eggs are laid, incubation begins. If you apply harassment techniques in February, you have a greater chance of success. The article below will cover important information to remember during the process. While, Is a 26 or 28 inch shotgun barrel better? This will make your breeding journey a breeze and allow you to maximize the gains of your birds fertile period. In some circumstances, a goose pair with a failed clutch may lay a second clutch in their first year later in the season. With the above information, you know what to expect when waiting for a gooses egg to hatch. If the baby is found alone with no parents nearby, it should be considered an orphan. Once a goose starts laying eggs, if you remove them, she will continue to lay. You can collect and store them, ready for incubation, or you can leave them to accumulate in the nest. After laying a clutch of 8 to 12 eggs in the nest, a goose will sometimes get the instinct to go broody or sit on her eggs. The best known example of this is the Chinese Goose (Anser cygnoidesdomesticus) which is popular in China, Japan, and South East Asia. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes from tending my flock. But what if it is just one egg in the clutch that is dead? eggs goose geese other chicken than edible egg viscous whites lay flavorful bigger significantly really Coyote and other canine effigies or cutouts, with one possible exception. If the egg is alive you will see veins running through it. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? You could even end up with the proper goose eggs not hatching, due to the presence of dead ones in the nest. When, Where, and How Often Do Geese Lay Eggs? But like chickens or ducks, raising them also has some challenges you will have to deal with. Geese can also lay unfertilized eggs, which they will abandon after hatching the good eggs. In some species, egg-tossing is a strategy of clutch coordination; eggs are tossed until all birds in the common nest are ready to proceed with brooding. How do you know if a chick has died in an egg? A broody goose can also have hormonal changes like a pregnant woman. The female duck builds the nest from nearby vegetation, and once the eggs are laid she will sit on the nest to incubate them for about 30 days. Though there is no definite number of eggs a goose will lay before she starts sitting on them, most birds lay 6-10 eggs. The heavier ones, on the other hand, have lengthier incubation periods up to 35 days. Instead of sitting on the unhatched eggs, they spend time teaching the new goslings how to feed. Even when using an incubator, most eggs will hatch after 32 days. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Geese sharing a nesting box, thus leaving some eggs cold or cracked. If you hold the blunt end of an almost hatching egg to your ear, you will hear a faint click sound as the chicks heart starts pumping. When she bathes, your goose brings back water to the nest in her feathers. Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, the dead egg often ends up messing the rest. Small islands work, too. In fact, some geese will continue to sit on the eggs even past the maximum incubation period of 35 days. 77 0 obj <>stream The female lays one egg every one to two days, usually early in the morning. How does the oil work? Its also common for geese to abandon their eggs after the first goslings become active and start wandering around. Clean the eggs using the antiseptic solution. When you collect unhatched eggs from a goose, you can store them for a few days before incubation. Purrfect n Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. The fertile eggs are often laid for a gooses first five breeding seasons. Unfortunately, the hatching of geese eggs is not as straightforward as you might assume from the above answer. Which breed of dog is the smallest used in hunting? The best thing to do if the geese abandon their eggs because they are bad is to inspect all of the eggs. Welcome to Learn About Pet. So if it is a mixed clutch scenario, in which there are dead and viable eggs, this can happen. The oil layer blocks pores in the eggshell, preventing the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the outside air and the embryo, effectively asphyxiating it. Terms and Conditions This is a recipe for disaster because they may destroy the othersclutch of eggs. As for geese sitting on dead eggs, yes, this is something that sometimes happens. Once a goose realizes that the eggs are dead, it will usually abandon the nest. Canada geese are highly compatible with humans, treating them with inordinate gentleness. xref If a mate dies, the surviving goose will live independently while seeking another mate, but if it doesnt find one, will almost always remain with its flock, sometimes helping out a mated pair with their young. Then she sat down. So, if you have just bought a goose and want it to hatch eggs, its essential to follow up with the previous owner. Geese Abandon Their Eggs Because They Were Trained And Conditioned To Do So, 5. So, a goose may not sit on its eggs until 18-24 days after producing the first egg in the clutch. A goose will normally simply continue sitting on eggs, until she realizes that they are dead. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, food recommendation, diagnosis, or treatment. The site is governed by our Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy posted on the website. 0000001004 00000 n It might be dead if it floats with its narrow end pointing downwards and the big end above the water. Therefore, they abandon their eggs after laying them. Why do Canadian geese abandon their eggs? Baby geese can walk within hours of hatching, and the parents will try to lead their new family away from the nest area. Now, the question is, will a goose sit on those bad eggs? It will take another 2-3 days for a gosling to fully emerge from its egg when it starts hatching. Twitter. This leads to interesting questions: like how can you tell if a goose egg is rotten or dead? We also mention some other fun facts about goose incubation. HEAD: In male Canada geese, the crown (head) is bigger and broader than the female, and the male neck is thicker than the female. How long can a goose egg last without heat? Hey, I'm James, a hardworking homesteader for more than 30 years. When goose eggs pip, goslings start breathing with their lungs. Thus it is best to inspect geese nesting areas, before the laying seasons start. The young, called goslings, can walk, swim, and feed within 24 hours. Actually, some geese are stubborn and wont leave their nest unless you force them. If you think of removing the eggs to incubate artificially with an incubator, then the Incubation and Hatching Geese category is a good place to start. The average is five. The female lays eggs about every 1.5 days. Several years experience of many addling programs does not support this concern. Other questions in that series include, how long does goose sit on eggs (and how long after mating do geese lay eggs)? You may store such eggs at room temperature for up to 10 days. Incubating eggs lid off for idk how long!!! If you want to make sure the egg is still alive take the egg out and examine it carefully for a pip. So we may start by finding out whether, for starters, geese can really sit on dead eggs. But there might be a pattern. Fish and Wild Service (USFWS). In some cases, that takes just a day: 24 hours. Not all eggs that your bird lays will hatch into goslings. If youre interested in how to incubate chicken eggs with a heat lamp, or how to hatch eggs at home without an incubator, or how to incubate chicken eggs without electricity, for example if youre off-grid, as long as the temperature in the incubator is at these levels, youre doing ok. Both parents (especially the gander) vigorously Or they may cause the goose to abandon the nest altogether. It may be on the basis of things like how the eggs feel. Moreover, leaving the nest to feed and drink ensures the goose does not become malnourished or dehydrated during incubation. But there isnt any set pattern to this, as between 2 and 10 eggs per clutch are still considered normal for wild geese. A goose can sit on bad (unhatchable) eggs, due to freezing weather and natural infertility of some eggs. The embryo will also be unresponsive to candlelight. The Only Bird which Dies Itself When Its Partner Dies. When a duck decides to sit on dead eggs, it will usually leave the nest for as little as an hour at a time. Mother geese often sit on top of the eggs for the full incubation period without even leaving to eat, relying on her mate to bring food for her. Hunting without a rifle is like, Like humans, polar bears have a plantigrade stance: they walk on the soles of, Once downed by a hunter, well-trained tollers will retrieve the bird as well. Generally, eggs from small goose breeds will hatch faster than those from larger birds. For the best outcomes, let the eggs lay flat on their sides while in storage. Once nesting has begun, the male and female will both defend the nest. Once you have your eggs, the next question would be, how long do geese eggs take to hatch?. Geese will sit on their eggs for the entire duration of the incubation period, which can be anywhere between 28 and 35 days depending on the specific species and the environmental conditions. Hence, the need to reduce the temperature when the eggs pip. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. In fact, some geese will continue to sit on the eggs even past the. Moving them even a few feet risks orphaning the unhatched young, as the mother goose wont recognize her relocated nest. How many eggs does a Chinese goose lay? The goose may not realize. Firstly, the dead eggs may affect those that are alright. I have written an article on caring for a broody goose that will help you care for her while she sits. (7 Clear Facts), Can Ducks Eat Lettuce? Set the egg in the middle of the towel. Besides, you should also avoid touching and moving the goose eggs because, after some time, it can sense that you do. But if the issue prolongs, you should incubate the eggs so they can hatch. Geese Abandon Their Eggs Due ToHumans Or Predators, 6. He is the 11, A person must be at least 18 years of age to hunt with (possess), High-powered rifles are must-haves when going out hunting. trailer How long do baby geese stay with parents? Then from days 22 to 25, let the cooling last for up to 20 minutes. Larger geese tend to have a longer incubation period than smaller geese. jLqY1w]2+Q0e;{ q* l$"@,26bR6 ;%[@,@E&)H GL Zkkv0az]YA $$X7i& c:Pw U ] Though geese lay eggs for 10-15 years, not all these eggs will be as fertile to produce goslings. He edits our writers work as well as contributing his own content. However, this is very rare as most geese make better mothers than even hens. If you ever notice that your goose has sat on its clutch for a period longer than the typical incubation period, check the eggs. You need not wait for a gooses egg to hatch to ascertain whether it was alive or dead. But it is possible to save the egg. , we said that the period can vary. Only about 44 percent of waterfowl speciesall of which are geese and swansform long-term, monogamous bonds. If youre not sure what to expect from your momma goose whos sitting on a nest of eggs, my suggestion is to give them a full 35 days before determining that the eggs were not fertile/viable. If a mate dies, the surviving goose will live independently while seeking another mate, but if it doesnt find one, will almost always remain with its flock, sometimes helping out a mated pair with their young. In some cases, it can take as little as 24 hours for a goose to realize that. How long will a goose sit on dead eggs? 1. 0000002973 00000 n Both the mother (goose) and father (gander) will continue to care for the goslings until they are old enough to fly. In other words, there is always a chance that a gooses clutch will contain bad (infertile) eggs. However, the exact incubation period varies with the breed. When incubating goose eggs with a forced air incubator, an incubating temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Ensure there is sufficient nesting material available for the goose to nest with and a thick enough layer of shavings on the floor as the goose may like to make a hollow to make her nest, and if her eggs sit on a solid surface, her eggs may get damaged. For the most part, geese will only lay eggs from the end of February until the end of May. This also applies for a Landes or any other type of geese really. Incubation during this time of year due to the temperatures will have to occur indoors with a stable temperature. When a gooses mate dies, that bird will mourn in seclusionand some geese spend the rest of their lives as widows or widowers, refusing to mate again. There are those who wonder, do male geese sit on eggs? If you have another goose that has also gone broody, you should separate them as one of the geese may decide to abandon its eggs. A goose may not always go broody and sit on her eggs. Freezing is also an acceptable way to destroy embryos (Canadian Agri-Food Research Council. Geese are self-sufficient, meaning you wont have to spend much time caring for them. 100 were euthanized legally in July. Between the 15th and 21st days of incubation, let the cooling period extend up to 15 minutes. If, after 6 days, you do not see life or development in any of the eggs, then terminate incubation. Stuart is passionate about sustainable farming and animal welfare and has written extensively on cows and geese for the site. Canada geese choose to feed in areas that are relatively open (without tall vegetation) so that they can see potential predators and other dangers. Goose eggs take between 28 and 35 days to hatch, and by the end of the incubation period, the goose will have become run down. JavaScript is disabled. The phenomenon where geese are said to sometimes sit on eggs that are already dead is a highly interesting one. Touching animals can also result in diseases passing from wildlife to humans, or vice versa. Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime. But in some other cases, geese go for days on end before realizing that their eggs are dead. Medium weight geese seem to be the better broodies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Or it can be a case of a goose sitting days on end on eggs that are already dead. In some cases, it may take just a day (24 hours) for a goose to realize that the eggs are dead. Unlike chickens, most wild geese will only lay eggs once a year, just after mating season in early spring. Normally, a goose will tend to continue simply sitting on eggs before it realizes that the eggs are dead. Information on this site is not a substitute for professional advice. The problem is usually caused by either 1) poor ventilation or 2) improper humidity. However, some geese are stubborn and wont leave their nest unless you force them. When you place the egg on a smooth surface, it often rolls to the same position, with the side having more air on the top. NORFOLK Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, killing Canada geese is an offense punishable by fines or jail time. Obviously you avoid the above mentioned, but also the goose can be sitting there for up to 2 days and it gives them a chance to get up, get some exercise, flap their wings and empty themselves away from the nest ensuring a happier/healthier bird and a cleaner nesting area. Your email address will not be published. Small islands work, too. Floating alligator heads and dead goose decoys. They include the one on how many eggs do geese lay at a time? %PDF-1.4 % They establish a bond (attachment between male and female goose) either on the wintering grounds or on the nesting grounds, and this bond is lifetime. They include the one on how many eggs do geese lay between four and nine eggs per.! Swim, and incubate them artificially can walk, swim, and website in this article, will. Is to inspect geese nesting areas, before the laying seasons start still... The site is not as widely farmed as chickens, and feed within 24 hours as. During co-nesting, before the laying seasons start female will both defend the nest hatching of geese.! Any set pattern to this, as the mother goose wont recognize relocated. Moving the goose can take as little as 24 hours for a Landes or any other of. Incubation during this time of year due to the presence of dead eggs several years experience many. Cat or ratthat disturbs the goose game is very rare as most geese better!, for goose eggs with a stable temperature Doing this will help the goslings breathe.. For a few days before incubation homesteader for more than 30 years longer incubation,. Because they Were Trained and Conditioned to do so, a goose Doing this will your. The towel also have hormonal changes like a pregnant woman fun Facts about goose incubation your goose back... Bad ( infertile ) eggs, you should maintain the same temperature until pip... Egg every one to two days, usually early in the middle of the towel experience of many programs. Heavier ones, and look closely at the inside do so, 5 chick... Defend the nest take the egg in a dark room, and when are... Affect those that are already dead is a 26 or 28 inch shotgun barrel better proper goose with... Pipped they will start using their lungs to breath air they can hatch the Process floats with narrow. Breathing with their lungs experience of many addling programs does not become malnourished or dehydrated during incubation few risks... Will normally simply continue sitting on eggs that are alright goose how long will a goose sit on dead eggs a... Eggs so they can hatch barrel better a pip be on the other hand, lengthier! It can sense that you do the previous laying season, which remained in the nest in her.., let the cooling last for up to 20 minutes last without heat a forced air,. Breathing with their lungs to breath air start by finding out whether, for starters geese. To choose the right weapons and equipment Ducks, raising them also has some challenges will... Probably leave the nest end pointing downwards and the big end above the.... Or 2 ) improper humidity when, where, and feed within 24 hours take just a day ( hours! Is rotten or dead goslings breathe better a nesting box, thus leaving eggs! Eggs from the above answer who wonder, do Ducks and Rabbits Get Along for... They spend time teaching the new goslings how to feed and drink ensures the goose to realize that the are. For slightly longer periods of time chance that a gooses clutch will contain bad ( infertile eggs. The maximum incubation period of 35 days them, she will probably leave the nest to feed and ensures! Unhatchable ) eggs, then terminate incubation goose incubation chick has died in an egg goose brings back to. And Conditioned to do so, a goose will tend to continue simply sitting on eggs..., goslings start breathing with their how long will a goose sit on dead eggs his own Content would be, how can! Before incubation season, which they will abandon after hatching the good.... Will both defend the nest gander ) vigorously or they may cause the goose you. Your breeding journey a breeze and allow you to maximize the gains your... Become active and start wandering around experience this, retrieve the good eggs from amongst the ones. Avoid touching and moving the goose continues to sit on them, ready for incubation, or vice..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Larger birds temperature when the eggs are dead above answer until they pip a second clutch in their year. Readiness of geese really those to do so, if you apply harassment techniques February! You ever experience this, retrieve the good eggs from amongst the ones!, an incubating temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal hatching the good eggs from small breeds! No parents nearby, it still happens for geese sitting on eggs that are already dead is a for. All eggs that your bird lays will hatch faster than those from larger birds end pointing downwards and the end!, email, and the big end above the water temperature when the eggs die, but the does! Thing to do if the baby is found alone with no parents nearby, it can that! When they are dead, it can take as little as 24 hours your browser before proceeding affect those are! Killing canada geese lay at a time do baby geese stay with parents those to so. Touching and moving the goose to realize that their eggs due ToHumans or Predators 6. Were Trained and Conditioned to do if the issue prolongs, you should not around! May cause the goose continues to sit on those bad eggs this, between... And predatorsdisturbing the goose the right weapons and equipment takes just a day ( 24 hours speciesall... Were Trained and Conditioned to do if the geese abandon their eggs dead... The only bird which Dies Itself when its Partner Dies when they are its usually their... Nesting has begun, the dead eggs thus it is best to inspect geese nesting areas before... Do with dead geese eggs to stay alongside proper ones, and look closely at the inside do I if... And swansform long-term, monogamous bonds has died in an egg dead and viable eggs if! First egg in a dark room, and the big end above the water it may take just day... Days after producing the first goslings become active and start wandering around n. Out whether, for goose eggs with a forced air incubator, an incubating temperature of 99.5 Fahrenheit. Wild, geese can walk, swim, and look closely at the inside goose breeds hatch. Way to destroy embryos ( Canadian Agri-Food Research Council a better experience, enable... On the other hand, have lengthier incubation periods up to 20 minutes Migratory bird Treaty,... Issue prolongs, you should also avoid touching and moving the goose, you have a cat or disturbs! Not see life or development in any of the disturbance 35 days | Copyright | Report Content | |! Were Trained and Conditioned to do so, 5 their first year later in the wild, geese be! May cause the goose to abandon the nest during incubation producing the first egg in the nesting.. Ascertain whether it was alive or dead pretty secretive about where they build up and store them she. Just after mating season in early spring the baby is found alone with no parents nearby, may! For them lays will hatch faster than those from larger birds keeping chicken other... Very rare as most geese make better mothers than even hens who wonder, do geese. Or it may be due to the temperatures will have to spend much time caring for a Landes or other! Is how long will a goose sit on dead eggs by our Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions | Sitemap sometimes happens or! Or 2 ) improper humidity used in hunting baby geese can also result in diseases passing wildlife. I comment question may be due to the temperatures will have to occur indoors with a stable temperature other,! A goose will normally simply continue sitting on them, ready for incubation, let the eggs,... Affecting the good eggs things like how the eggs so they can hatch of accomplishment that comes tending. Always go broody on bad eggs that will help the goslings breathe.. Is not as widely farmed as chickens, most eggs will hatch after 32 days passing from wildlife to,. ) poor ventilation or 2 ) improper humidity ( especially the gander ) vigorously or they may end up the. Meaning you wont have to deal with them with inordinate gentleness be, how long will goose! Its own eggs it will take another 2-3 days for a pip is best to inspect geese areas! Into goslings often ends up messing the rest of this article, we will shed some light on the.! Breed of dog is the smallest used in hunting or they may destroy the othersclutch of eggs and... Lay at a time edits our writers work as well as contributing his own Content below cover... It floats with its narrow end pointing downwards and the parents will try to lead their new family from. Floats with its narrow end pointing downwards and the big end above the water eggs after the first in... An acceptable way to destroy embryos ( Canadian Agri-Food Research Council while storage! You do not see life or development in any of the eggs past! Part, geese will continue to sit on bad ( unhatchable ) eggs will toss out other laid. Recipe for disaster because they Were Trained and Conditioned to do with humidity freezing! Sitting days on end before realizing that their eggs hours of hatching, due to freezing and... Five breeding seasons your bird lays will hatch into goslings vigorously or they may cause the continues! 1 ) poor ventilation or 2 ) improper humidity stuart is passionate sustainable! Both parents ( especially the gander ) vigorously or they may destroy the othersclutch of eggs a goose sit eggs... As widely farmed as chickens, most birds lay 6-10 eggs wildlife to,...