3wk old gosling is acting sick

[LeaAnnP]

Please Help, My gosling Hank has been acting sick for a couple of days. I first noticed him unsteady at times and today some diearea. He is eating and drinking and I did give him some chick electrolytes. He’s not energetic like he was and his breathing seems different today. I don’t know anything about geese and I could really use some help

 

[LeaAnnP]

How many other goslings do you have?

If you only have goslings and no chicks, I'd see if your feed store has duckling/gosling food. If not, you can buy nutritional or brewers yeast and sprinkle it on top of the chick food.

I just have the one gosling, the rest are chicks. I just mixed the brewers yeast in his food, he loves it! With that and the grit I think he’s gonna feel brand new very soonhe has such a great personality, I’ll be happy when he’s all better, thank you!!

 

[CloneFly]

Does he have a good source of Niacin? Our African was a bit wobbly and lethargic until we started giving him some Brewers/Nutritional Yeast. Geese need high levels of Niacin to survive.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I have not given him any but I will, should I just mix in his food or give separately

If it is a niacin issue adding 1 tbs to 1 cup of feed as well as start vitamin B complex. It helps to get them on track faster

 

[SilverBirds]

Non medicated chick starter and I take him out to graze on grass a little each day. He approximately 3 or 4 weeks old

Are they getting extra niacin with the chick starter? Does he have enough water to submerge his entire head?

 

[CloneFly]

I have yet to graze my Gosling... he's about 5-6wks. I'm not sure if the grass at such a young age could also be a problem

 

[SilverBirds]

Waterfowl need a lot of niacin then. Chickens do not so chick food doesn't have the extra niacin that the waterfowl need. Niacin deficiency mostly effects the legs.

Are you giving them grit? If they are eating grass and don't have access to grit they won't be able to digest which will effect their waste.

 

[LeaAnnP]

I haven’t for about a week but the room he’s in is very very warm and it’s been in the 70’s at night and he seems to be content I do still have the heat lamp on at night and it’s far enough away to keep him from getting to hot

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I haven’t for about a week but the room he’s in is very very warm and it’s been in the 70’s at night and he seems to be content I do still have the heat lamp on at night and it’s far enough away to keep him from getting to hot

I know even my week old ducklings are laying away from m heat plate in the day when the house is warmer
As long as he can get away to cool it should be good

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC!

What are you feeding them? How old is he?