egg laying Archives - British Waterfowl Association https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/tag/egg-laying/ Conservation, Education and Preservation Thu, 26 May 2022 15:42:11 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Pal-Mates … weekend web tip https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/pal-mates-weekend-web-tip-19/ Fri, 27 May 2022 11:00:26 +0000 https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/?p=19548 X is for Xanthophyll. Yes it’s a bit of a mouthful, but this is the pigment responsible for the yellow colour in egg yolks, and some of the yellows in skin colour. This is a timely reminder that laying birds have high nutritional needs to stay healthy. Although the shell colour for any breed or […]

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]]> X is for Xanthophyll. Yes it’s a bit of a mouthful, but this is the pigment responsible for the yellow colour in egg yolks, and some of the yellows in skin colour.

This is a timely reminder that laying birds have high nutritional needs to stay healthy. Although the shell colour for any breed or species is down to genetics, the appearance and quality of the contents of the egg is affected by what the birds eats. The natural plant pigments birds taken in when free ranging gives the yolk that rich golden colour. Shells are principally made from calcium, so don’t forget to provide extra in the laying season. Crushed oyster shell will be appreciated. Calcium is not stored in the body, if there is not enough calcium in the diet, it is sometimes drawn from the bird’s bones.

When the autumn comes along, the green colours caused by chlorophyll in the leaves of deciduous trees stops being produced. This allows us to see the glowing yellows and golds of the xanthophyll in the leaves. By then our waterfowl will be getting their handsome finery again. Next week we will touch on another yellow...

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]]> Pal-Mates — weekend web tip https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/pal-mates-weekend-web-tip-4/ Sat, 29 Jan 2022 09:26:37 +0000 https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/?p=18383 G is for Gravid and for Goose. How can you tell when geese are about to lay? Although body shape of the goose sometimes makes it plain she has an egg on the way, the first signs are often a change in behaviour. The pair will prospect for safe places and the gander may decide […]

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G is for Gravid and for Goose.

How can you tell when geese are about to lay? Although body shape of the goose sometimes makes it plain she has an egg on the way, the first signs are often a change in behaviour. The pair will prospect for safe places and the gander may decide he really does not want your company.

February is often the start of the laying season for domestic geese, and also for the Nene or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis).

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