4 Week Goslings Pulling Poop Out Of Diapers

[cmcm]

Hi there,
I have 2 baby geese that I got at a feed store. One seems to be a Toulouse and one seems to be an Embden - and I don't know the sex of either. They imprinted on my boyfriend and I immediately and follow us around everywhere - they are just so incredibly cute and sweet!

Anyway, they are about 4 weeks old and I just introduced the diapers from the Mother Goose site (I got the #1 adult size which is the next step up from the baby diaper harness) and have had them on intermittently for about 4 days. I have not been able to keep them on full time partly because they get soiled very quickly and partly because of the "flinging poop" problem.

The main problem that I have been having (besides the sad-sack attitude) is that they started pulling poop out and flinging it. I know they are just trying to keep clean, but it is disgusting. Even if there is almost nothing in the diaper they will do this (so it's not that the diaper is too full).

So for those of you who have house geese and use diapers, how long did it take before they stopped going into hysterics when you put the diaper on, and do you think they will stop pulling the poop out at some point.

I still have to pin the diapers a bit in order for them to fit snugly enough so that they don't fall off - but they do look kind of uncomfortable. Maybe they need to grow into them.

Thanks for your advice!

Carol

 

[Katy]

They're displaying their displeasure with something being done to them that is not natural. Geese were not created to wear diapers.

 

[chickengrl]

I have to agree with Katy. They aren't meant to be house pets. Just my humble opinion. We do bring birds inside in the basement if they are sick, but we don't give them run of the house. I honestly don't think you will be able to stop them from picking at the diaper, and soon they will get the whole thing shredded. I wish you luck.

 

[kswaterfowl]

Get them outside and out of diapers now. I must agree that it is not natural and in my opinion cruel.

 

[cmcm]

Well, I do plan on putting them outside when they are able - but if I leave them outside in an enclosed space they don't stop crying for me until I come back and stand right next to them. I have them in a cage inside and do not want to keep them in there - that seems way more cruel to me than the diapers. I thought there were some folks out there who were successful with the diapers.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[ranchhand]

Sorry, but I have to agree. You are attempting to change them into something they are not. I know that a lot of people treat their various birds as housepets and it seems there are some health problems that arise from being raised and maintained in an unnatural environment. Some have had to spend $$$$$ to keep their indoor birds alive and still don't realize that chickens, ducks and geese are not meant to be housepets.

Can you establish an outdoor environment for them? They, and you, will be much happier and healthier in the long run. At 4 weeks, they aren't pooping much. What are you going to do about them at 4 months, 4 years? They poop a LOT more as they grow!

I strongly suggest you rethink your plans.

 

[cmcm]

You don't even know what my plans are. Did you even read my reply?

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Yes, but not until after I posted. I am glad you have plans to move them outside when they are older. For now, I would suggest a brooder/cage on the big side, warmth, food and water. The basics. And I would also suggest some detachment, because you are applying human qualities to them, i.e. crying for you.

Read my sig line, it applies to all poultry.

 

[The goose girl]

My goose spent his first 3 months as a house goose - in diapers. I got him when he was 8 days old and put a diaper on him immediately.

He did fling poop a few times during those months, but I didn't have much trouble with it. Maybe it was because the diaper was introduced so early - maybe I was just lucky? I think I've noticed (as you mentioned yourself) that he mostly tried to remove the diaper when the poop was soggy and he needed to clean himself. I removed the diaper and rinsed his butt, and that seemed to take care of the problem. Now, he is outside most of the time and only comes in to eat and an hour or two in the evening to talk and cuddle, so he doesn't wear a diaper all that much anymore, except when we go visit someone. And then I always bring a small tub for him, so he can bathe at least once a day.

I like the diaper harnesses from indoorducks.com (Nettie) a lot better than the ones from the mother goose site. I started my goose on the latter ones, but now he only wears the ones from Nettie. They are much roomier in the diaper area and stay put better. That said, he was an adult before I got him Netties harnesses, so I don't know first hand about her baby harnesses.

As to geese as house pets: Well of course I'm biased, but I really don't think nature intended any animal to be a house pet. That, for me, takes care of the discussion on "natural" house pets. Geese are unusual house pets, I definitely agree, but no more unnatural than other animals. A few centuries ago most people lived with their livestock - they still do in many third world countries.

I've read a lot of negative reactions about my goose, but noone who has actually seen him doubts that he is a very happy and content goose. And that includes my vet and the goose breeder I bought him from.

 

[PrinceSandwich]

Waterfowl diapers are not cruel! Lots of people use them with great success. Most house ducks/geese are imprinted animals, meaning they will be a lot happier when they can live with their "mom", so in a case like this the cruel thing would be to put them outside. I agree with Goose girl, what animals were went to be indoor pets?