Guardian Goose

We haven't tried putting both of the goslings in the chick brooder at the same time; but when we tried one, the chicks immediately started pecking at her (assuming a her) webbing. We removed her right away.

Also, how do people integrate goslings with chicks, if chicks require higher protein?

We were misinformed when we asked an Agway employee about the gosling requirements. Obviously we realize we should have done more and our own research beforehand, but we didn't.

We also know now that niacin is very important; has anyone ever utilized niacin from the health store? My sister purchased the pair from Metzer Farms, and they have a really great article about niacin definciancy, but hearing other people's uses/amounts given would be helpful!

Also, we have started giving them romaine lettuce chopped very very small; should they not have a lot?

Thank you all again!

jmdelsanto said:

We haven't tried putting both of the goslings in the chick brooder at the same time; but when we tried one, the chicks immediately started pecking at her (assuming a her) webbing. We removed her right away.

Also, how do people integrate goslings with chicks, if chicks require higher protein?

We were misinformed when we asked an Agway employee about the gosling requirements. Obviously we realize we should have done more and our own research beforehand, but we didn't.

We also know now that niacin is very important; has anyone ever utilized niacin from the health store? My sister purchased the pair from Metzer Farms, and they have a really great article about niacin definciancy, but hearing other people's uses/amounts given would be helpful!

Also, we have started giving them romaine lettuce chopped very very small; should they not have a lot?

Thank you all again!

Click to expand...

If they're picking on them (most people think it'll go the other way and the bigger goslings will pick on the smaller chicks but that's not what happens) you can try splitting the brooder in half with hardware cloth and putting the goslings on one side and the chicks on the other so they are still together but the chicks can't peck at them. They're probably doing it out of curiosity and not aggression but either way you don't want anyone to get hurt.

Chicks don't need higher protein than geese, they can eat the same feed. I feed all mine chick starter, or you could feed them all an all flock feed.

Niacin is important. Brewers Yeast is one of the best ways to give it to them, you just mix some in with the feed.

Lettuce is fine, but grass clippings or better yet getting them out to graze if the weather allows it is even better. Access to grass is very beneficial to goslings; after all, it's what they were made to eat

Pyxis said:

If they're picking on them (most people think it'll go the other way and the bigger goslings will pick on the smaller chicks but that's not what happens) you can try splitting the brooder in half with hardware cloth and putting the goslings on one side and the chicks on the other so they are still together but the chicks can't peck at them. They're probably doing it out of curiosity and not aggression but either way you don't want anyone to get hurt.

Chicks don't need higher protein than geese, they can eat the same feed. I feed all mine chick starter, or you could feed them all an all flock feed.

Niacin is important. Brewers Yeast is one of the best ways to give it to them, you just mix some in with the feed.

Lettuce is fine, but grass clippings or better yet getting them out to graze if the weather allows it is even better. Access to grass is very beneficial to goslings; after all, it's what they were made to eat

Click to expand...

I will let my sister know about the separation idea!

We are hoping that once the two feet of snow melts, the geese will enjoy the grass.

I did look for brewers yeast at Agway, but they didn't have any. I then saw that in a pinch you can actually use Niacin from a health store?
They just came home today; is it ok that we cannot get niacin until tomorrow?



As far as the protein; I read multiple places that water fowl only need about 16%, and if you give them too much for too long (the 20% found in chick starter for example), it can cause angel wing. I bought a starter today that is for chicks and geese (16%); the one we had on hand before today, is just for chicks (20%). The goslings chowed down the new crumbles, and didn't seem to care too much for the other stuff; just coincidence? Maybe they just needed time to acclimate?

I accidentally threw the image into the middle of my reply - oops.

jmdelsanto said:

I will let my sister know about the separation idea!

We are hoping that once the two feet of snow melts, the geese will enjoy the grass.

I did look for brewers yeast at Agway, but they didn't have any. I then saw that in a pinch you can actually use Niacin from a health store?
They just came home today; is it ok that we cannot get niacin until tomorrow?

As far as the protein; I read multiple places that water fowl only need about 16%, and if you give them too much for too long (the 20% found in chick starter for example), it can cause angel wing. I bought a starter today that is for chicks and geese (16%); the one we had on hand before today, is just for chicks (20%). The goslings chowed down the new crumbles, and didn't seem to care too much for the other stuff; just coincidence? Maybe they just needed time to acclimate?

I accidentally threw the image into the middle of my reply - oops.

Click to expand...

The one I use has 18% protein and they all do fine on it

Brewer's yeast you may not find at Agway, it's actually a nutritional supplement. But they do sell it as a horse supplement so there may be some in the horse section. You can find it at a health store though or even Walmart carries it in the health section usually. They'll be okay without niacin for a couple days. Also, if you pick up some Poultry Nutri Drench and add that to their water instead, that'll take care of it. It's got niacin added. Plus it gives them a nice boost with the other vitamins it contains too.

They are super cute Just got my first goose egg of the year today, can't wait to start incubating and hatching.

Pyxis said:

The one I use has 18% protein and they all do fine on it

Brewer's yeast you may not find at Agway, it's actually a nutritional supplement. But they do sell it as a horse supplement so there may be some in the horse section. You can find it at a health store though or even Walmart carries it in the health section usually. They'll be okay without niacin for a couple days. Also, if you pick up some Poultry Nutri Drench and add that to their water instead, that'll take care of it. It's got niacin added. Plus it gives them a nice boost with the other vitamins it contains too.

They are super cute Just got my first goose egg of the year today, can't wait to start incubating and hatching.

Click to expand...

My sisters husband made a divider, and it was installed; when we transferred the goslings they were a bit scared at first, but seemed to calm down once they realized the divider was there. Thank you for that suggestion! How long should we wait to try and lift the divider?

The food I have is 18%, but the goslings and chicks aren't on the same feeder, so that works for now regardless.

I see you can buy 500mg tablets; how much do you give to the goslings? Also, should I be only feeding them twice a day, or provide them with a constant food source?

Grit? I started giving them this because of feeding them finely chopped romaine.

Thank you for being our gosling handbook, and please keep me posted on the incubation!

jmdelsanto said:

My sisters husband made a divider, and it was installed; when we transferred the goslings they were a bit scared at first, but seemed to calm down once they realized the divider was there. Thank you for that suggestion! How long should we wait to try and lift the divider?

The food I have is 18%, but the goslings and chicks aren't on the same feeder, so that works for now regardless.

I see you can buy 500mg tablets; how much do you give to the goslings? Also, should I be only feeding them twice a day, or provide them with a constant food source?

Grit? I started giving them this because of feeding them finely chopped romaine.

Thank you for being our gosling handbook, and please keep me posted on the incubation!

Click to expand...

Has your Chinese geese pair alarmed for danger? I don't know what to think. People say if you have multiple geese together they don't care about the chickens, others say otherwise, and some say only raise one, but then other options say it's abusive. Thank you.