Gosling artifical waterproofing

janelikesburds

In the Brooder
Nov 6, 2016
21
7
16
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.
 
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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.

That is awesome . Hopefully someone will be able to try this method too if needed.
 
A good application lasts for two dry days with a little swim. They still get wet in the rain, mainly outer part of the down on the back as well as neck area. Anyway my 3-4 week olds are starting to grow feathers now. I am going to do more experiments with my newly hatched.

One thing I discover with my newly hatched (2 days old today) is that: the more handling, the less water repelling ability the down retains. Especially dry hands as dry skin tends to transfer electrons to the down but we want the opposite (in my theory anyway).

Kitchen wrap also works well.
 
The best and most convenient for me up to now is the microfiber dusting cloth. I snuggle them with it at night. They can play and dive in the pond without getting soaked. Except when they have mud on them -- mud needs to be washed clean with water then rub the area with the cloth when dried.
 
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Today's playtime! They mostly came out dry. No muddy bellies. Two of them had wet wings. But again they are only three days old. See what happens when they are a bit older.
 
This is great info - thanks for sharing! And I love the updates; how you tweak the technique. If I ever have pet goslings again, I'm gonna get stacks of microfiber dusting cloths. Konrad Lorenz would be proud of you!
 
It's been 10 days. Microfiber clothes are working like a charm! Once a day application gives a good enough protection. They are as waterproof as when they were day olds.

This is great info - thanks for sharing! And I love the updates; how you tweak the technique. If I ever have pet goslings again, I'm gonna get stacks of microfiber dusting cloths. Konrad Lorenz would be proud of you!


Haha thanks! I am happy not having to wash them all the time. Making my life easier. And the goslings love their swims !!

I think this technique also applies to other waterfowl. I will test in the future when I have subjects of other species.
 

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