janelikesburds
In the Brooder
- Nov 6, 2016
- 21
- 7
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I have been hand raising my two goslings (they are about 2.5 and 3 weeks old today). During the day I let them free range with two of my adult geese. Initially I bring them in at least three times a day to warm up, now it's down to once a day or when it rains.
The adults take them to the pond. On a few occasions they both got soaked and quickly developed a fear of swimming in the pond ( They are quite happy in the bathtub). My gander is an experienced parent and very sensible, he only shows the goslings the shallow end of the pond so I dont worry about them drowning.
However I still dislike the fact that they aren't waterproof and dirt proof. washing them at least once a day and waiting to dry them off takes a lot of time! They also get soaked in the rain which we have often in the afternoon. I thought it's time to try K Lorenz's static waterproofing method.
So, it is said that goslings rub over mummy goose's feather to create static charge, which maintains the down structure to make it repelling water. Lorenz rubbed his gosling with silk to get the same effect.
I don't have any silk on hand, but I have plenty of arcrylic based fabric. This morning I washed and dried the goslings, I rub the piece of fabric on a glass cup first to a point where it starts to attract my hair when held close, then I rub the goslings with the charged fabric all over - I also had to re-charge the fabric a few times. Everything only took a minute.
When I went to collect the goslings to put them to bed inside later in the day, I have two clean and dry babies! No mud, no wet belly! Thank goodness!!
I am waiting to see how often I have to do it.
The adults take them to the pond. On a few occasions they both got soaked and quickly developed a fear of swimming in the pond ( They are quite happy in the bathtub). My gander is an experienced parent and very sensible, he only shows the goslings the shallow end of the pond so I dont worry about them drowning.
However I still dislike the fact that they aren't waterproof and dirt proof. washing them at least once a day and waiting to dry them off takes a lot of time! They also get soaked in the rain which we have often in the afternoon. I thought it's time to try K Lorenz's static waterproofing method.
So, it is said that goslings rub over mummy goose's feather to create static charge, which maintains the down structure to make it repelling water. Lorenz rubbed his gosling with silk to get the same effect.
I don't have any silk on hand, but I have plenty of arcrylic based fabric. This morning I washed and dried the goslings, I rub the piece of fabric on a glass cup first to a point where it starts to attract my hair when held close, then I rub the goslings with the charged fabric all over - I also had to re-charge the fabric a few times. Everything only took a minute.
When I went to collect the goslings to put them to bed inside later in the day, I have two clean and dry babies! No mud, no wet belly! Thank goodness!!
I am waiting to see how often I have to do it.
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