Goose Incubation & Hatching Guide - Completed!!!!

This is such good news. I am not sure about raising geese in a brooder since mine were all hatched and raised by the adult geese. I did put out Purina Flock Raiser for them and they have had no trouble with that. But, they also spend their day grazing with the adults. However I did find this from the Univ. of Missouri...

"Goslings and ducklings are ready for feed and water when they arrive. Use crumbilized chick or poult starter for the first week to 10 days. A pelleted grower ration plus cracked corn, wheat, milo, oats or other grain can be fed after this time. Keep feed before the birds at all times. Also, provide insoluble grit. Place feed on rough paper or cup flats for the first few days. Do not use chick box tops or other smooth-surfaced lids or paper as feeders. When such slick-surfaced materials are used, leg damage results.
Be certain the feed you are using contains only those additives approved for ducks and geese. Certain types of drugs that are sometimes included in chick starting and growing mashes for coccidiosis control are harmful to goslings. They may cause lameness or even death"
Number 8 of my goslings was the last to hatch and was not really ready to come outside but he did want to be with his siblings when they came outside with the adults. He was very wobbly and a good deal smaller than the others. I was not sure he was going to make it but he has and has grown, is healthy and sticks to his dad like glue. He even charges me with peeps instead of hisses when his dad does. But, because of his size and condition the first couple of days he is the only one named...Mr. Wobbly.
Good luck with yours. Eventually you will need to get a goose companion for this one. Even full grown quail just won't be the companion he needs. I would suggest trying to find a goose about the same size and/or age as yours eventually.

I haven't been able to check in for a while, but it sure was nice to see that the gosling made it! Good job assisting and I hope it thrives for you!

Miss Lydia said:

Most feeds say medicated on the bag, but your gosling won't be able to eat pellets for a while, so either crush or moisten. and dif add brewers yeast over top of feed. 1Tab to 1 cup of feed for 10-12 weeks. Also if you have fresh untreated grass your gosling will love that, no higher than 3" though and soft grasses not tough Geese are grazers and really love grass from the start. Of course along with the feed your giving for a balanced diet.

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great info here! Regarding pellets these are micro pellets i have, i usually blend anyway for the first week so ill do that. Brewers yeast - any reason or can bread yeast be added? Activated or non? And just to check a tab is a tablespoon?
Im intreged by the feeder info, non slip you say.. hmm silicone baking mat? Ill have to make a gosling waterer too, little hole so bill can be immersed, i usually have a mesh covered dish for hatchlings for first week. Then chicken nipple waterer, how are geese on these?
Regarding grass, does it not have to be chopped and diced? And grit, pestle and motar it so its fine 1mm instead of 3mm?
Just double checking my plans, thankyou

Yes a buddy for it will come with time. I know its important for development however does anyone keep a lone adult goose?

Well this certainly has been an exciting and nerve racking experience, from the out of the blue gift of a goose egg. Still cant get over its size!

nadrojsack said:

great info here! Regarding pellets these are micro pellets i have, i usually blend anyway for the first week so ill do that. Brewers yeast - any reason or can bread yeast be added? Activated or non? And just to check a tab is a tablespoon?
Im intreged by the feeder info, non slip you say.. hmm silicone baking mat? Ill have to make a gosling waterer too, little hole so bill can be immersed, i usually have a mesh covered dish for hatchlings for first week. Then chicken nipple waterer, how are geese on these?
Regarding grass, does it not have to be chopped and diced? And grit, pestle and motar it so its fine 1mm instead of 3mm?
Just double checking my plans, thankyou

Yes a buddy for it will come with time. I know its important for development however does anyone keep a lone adult goose?

Well this certainly has been an exciting and nerve racking experience, from the out of the blue gift of a goose egg. Still cant get over its size!

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They come packed tight in those eggs don't they? lol Hows it doing today? micro pellets after first week to 10 days should be okay just make sure by watching it eat them. I forgot your think in quail size reason for micro size. Nipple waterer will not work for a goose or any water fowl they have to be able to wash their faces alot especially when eating another reason your not going to want to keep your gosling with quail, they are very messy water will be everywhere which means eventually wet bedding. Brewers yeast or Nutritional yeast never baking yeast it would expand in tummy and kill your gosling. old towels or the rubber cabinet liners work great for first week for water fowl you have to be careful they don't eat the bedding you use especially if it's shavings. and never cedar of course you probably know that having quail. There are folks on here who have a single goose look up the House goose thread. Geese are like children they require alot of attention and like to have their parent or sib with them 24/7 so unless you can spend the majority of your time with your gosling a buddy would be best. They are called flock animals for a reason. Hope you keep up with pics and how it's doing. and Congrats again on going by gut and getting that lil one out of the shell.

Miss Lydia said:

They come packed tight in those eggs don't they? lol  Hows it doing today? micro pellets after first week to 10 days should be okay just make sure by watching it eat them. I forgot your think in quail size reason for micro size. Nipple waterer will not work for a goose or any water fowl they have to be able to wash their faces alot. Congrats again on going by gut and getting that lil one out of the shell.

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my micro pellets contain avatec lasalocid an aid in prevention of coccodiosis in game only. Is this dangerous for goslings?

And i have layers pellets -

And whole barley. Im trying hard to get goose and duck pellets today.but if not any suggestions?

nadrojsack said:

my micro pellets contain avatec lasalocid an aid in prevention of coccodiosis in game only. Is this dangerous for goslings?

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I had to do a little research on this one since I have never raised quail. What I found indicates its use for quail, certain meat chickens, turkeys, rabbits and partridges. It does indicate that its use should be avoided around horses as it can prove toxic to them. What I did notice is in all the sources I read there is no mention about waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.). If I were you I would err on the side of caution and not have it where my waterfowl could get access to it. That would mean two living environments for your birds. One for the quail and one for the waterfowl, two feeding regimens, etc. But by doing so you will avoid potential injury or death to your waterfowl.

jtn42248 said:

I had to do a little research on this one since I have never raised quail. What I found indicates its use for quail, certain meat chickens, turkeys, rabbits and partridges. It does indicate that its use should be avoided around horses as it can prove toxic to them. What I did notice is in all the sources I read there is no mention about waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.). If I were you I would err on the side of caution and not have it where my waterfowl could get access to it. That would mean two living environments for your birds. One for the quail and one for the waterfowl, two feeding regimens, etc. But by doing so you will avoid potential injury or death to your waterfowl.

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Thankyou! Okay im prepping a brooder as we speak. A gosling paradise!Ill post when finished

nadrojsack said:

my micro pellets contain avatec lasalocid an aid in prevention of coccodiosis in game only. Is this dangerous for goslings?

And i have layers pellets -

And whole barley. Im trying hard to get goose and duck pellets today.but if not any suggestions?

Click to expand...

If you can not get feed specific to waterfowl you can always use something like Purina Flock Raiser or another general mixed flock feed (DuMor at Tractor Supply also make one). That way you will not need to do any vitamin supplementation. If needed you can use a high quality chick feed but you will want to add niacin to that. Niacin is available in Brewers Yeast (not the kind you use to bake bread). Also, add to your shopping list, chick grit which may not be necessary if you use a quality chick feed or flock raiser but you can have it free choice in case. Make sure you have a water source that they can stick their face in without actually getting in the water to begin with and for the first few days in the brooder either cover the bedding if using shavings or use old towels for betting. I use the towels because they are easier to clean, launder and reuse. Let us see what you end up with.

jtn42248 said:

If you can not get feed specific to waterfowl you can always use something like Purina Flock Raiser or another general mixed flock feed (DuMor at Tractor Supply also make one). That way you will not need to do any vitamin supplementation. If needed you can use a high quality chick feed but you will want to add niacin to that. Niacin is available in Brewers Yeast (not the kind you use to bake bread). Also, add to your shopping list, chick grit which may not be necessary if you use a quality chick feed or flock raiser but you can have it free choice in case. Make sure you have a water source that they can stick their face in without actually getting in the water to begin with and for the first few days in the brooder either cover the bedding if using shavings or use old towels for betting. I use the towels because they are easier to clean, launder and reuse. Let us see what you end up with.

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ive got ALLEN & PAGE GOOSE & DUCK GROWER FINISH PELLETS coming tomorrow, ill blebd that into a crumb. But for today... anything i can blend up like oats and barley grass etc and offer grit on the side?

My waterer -

Just thinking of a feeder. -

nadrojsack said:

ive got ALLEN & PAGE GOOSE & DUCK GROWER FINISH PELLETS coming tomorrow, ill blebd that into a crumb. But for today... anything i can blend up like oats and barley grass etc and offer grit on the side?

My waterer -

Just thinking of a feeder. -

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Sorry, I just noticed that you are in the UK so you most likely don't have a Tractor Supply store convienet. I looked up Allen & Page and this is what they say to do:

"From about 3 weeks old, start to mix in Goose/Duck Grower/Finisher Pellets with starter crumbs to ensure a smooth changeover. They can be fed to appetite to growing birds (until about 16 weeks) and for those being reared for meat they may be fed right up until finishing (usually achieved between 10 and 20 weeks)."

So, start out with starter crumbs (I suspect Allen & Page make these but even chick starter will be fine if you have a local feed store you could get them at). In the mean time, until you get you feed, you can mix some grass clippings, barley grass and oats. Make sure it is chopped pretty fine and have chick grit on hand as well.

Your waterer looks like it will work but you might need to refill it several time a day as he will get in and splash out the water in a likelihood. As for the feeder. I suspect the box will probably be a little slick and can cause leg injury. I use a small dog dish with mine and that works fine so either that or a small shallow bowl might be better.

Don't expect the little one to have the best table manners. They can tend to be messy but they make up for it by being so cute and sweet.