Ducklings + Goslings

[jake and pippa]

I am hatching goose eggs, had a temperature spike, and only one gosling hatched. I couldn't let her live alone, she is too young to give to her parents. I know, they could manage, but they tend to accidentally kill their very young goslings. So, I tried to find a gosling friend in my area. No luck, so I bought her 6 Pekin ducklings. The ducklings are at least a few days old, so they are just about the same size as the gosling, for now. There was a little consternation at first, but in the morning, all were cuddled together.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We were gifted two baby mallards just last night. They're about a week younger so there's quite the size difference now. There was only a little bit of roughhousing when they were introduced. Our gosling was the youngest by a few days but she's now the biggest for sure.

EDIT TO ADD: we lost the little gosling pictured above. It had a crooked beak so I'd like to assume it was bad genes. The one we have now is happy and healthy. Our goose hatched 2 of 6 eggs for us

Well cool glad they all have made peace and become friends.
Very sorry for your loss too.

 

[Wild Hair]

Buff Africans from Johnson's Waterfowl

 

[Pyxis]

Yep, Africans are big. Don't be surprised if they're bigger than your ducklings when they arrive

 

[Wild Hair]

I can't wait!

 

[Wild Hair]

Well our ducklings weren't very nice to their new brother and sister. We've got the geese in a separate brooder for now where the taller of the ducklings can see them. Maybe they'll get used to them while their still small and won't try anything when they grow up.

 

[lomine]

Maybe you could try letting all of them swim together in the tub. They will be distracted by the fun of swimming and start to see each other as part of the same flock. Then put them all back in the brooder at the same time (after you dry them off a bit of course). I've never done anything like this but it couldn't hurt to try.

Also, please post some pictures of your new babies. I'd love to see some.

 

[Wild Hair]

I was about to ask about bath time. I'll try this for tonight for sure! Thanks!

EDIT: I'll upload pics when I get off work tonight. For some reason it won't let me upload the images my wife messaged me.

 

[Pyxis]

Aww, too bad they didn't get along Yes, do post some pictures for us!

 

[Wild Hair]