What does precocial vs altricial mean?
Ducklings, turkeys, grouse, sandpipers and goslings are precocial birds, which hatch from their eggs covered in down, and can walk well, swim and follow their parents within hours of hatching. They still need their parents for protection, warmth, and learning.
Because goslings and ducklings are precocial, the parents need them to hatch at the same time. The female lays about 1 egg per day and will not start incubating until the entire clutch is laid. Canada geese and mallard ducks both incubate for 25-30 days.
An altricial bird (ex: robin, cardinal) is one whose young are underdeveloped at hatching and highly dependent on parental care for survival, similar to how human babies are dependent on their parents. These birds hatch blind, naked (or with very little down), and unable to move around much, relying on their parents for food, protection, and warmth.