Goose eggs typically take between 28 and 35 days to hatch, with the exact duration depending on the breed of goose. Lighter breeds tend to hatch closer to 28-30 days, while larger breeds may take up to 35 days. It is common for hatching to take an additional 1 to 3 days to complete after the first pip (crack) appears

. Key points about goose egg incubation and hatching:

• Incubation starts when the goose begins sitting on the eggs full-time or when eggs are placed in an incubator

• Cooling and misting the eggs periodically during incubation (mimicking the mother goose leaving the nest and returning wet) can improve hatch rates

• After about 26 days, the eggs enter "lockdown," where humidity is increased and eggs should not be disturbed to avoid harming the developing goslings

• Goslings often take longer to hatch than other poultry, sometimes up to 36 hours from the first pip to fully emerge, which is normal

• Natural incubation by a broody goose or surrogate bird is common, but artificial incubation requires careful humidity and temperature control

In summary, expect goose eggs to hatch within about 4 to 5 weeks, with some variation based on breed and incubation conditions. Patience is important, as hatching can be a slow process once the gosling starts breaking the shell