abandonned gosling...

[MissaBees]

I found an abandoned canadian goose this afternoon. My friend and I were having lunch int he park and there were no geese for well over an hour but the little guy was wandering around all by himself.

I'm currently trying to find a wildlife rehabilitator in my area but I was wondering how I should care for him in the meantime.

He's still got a lot of down but is starting to grow some feathers. I got him some water in a shallow dish and he seems to have perked up now and is acting much more like a goose now.

 

[Wynette]

I'm not sure with geese, but I have vivid memories of bringing a duckling home from our city park that had been abandoned. She was fine for the first month or so, then she fell to her side and could no longer walk. I think mommas know there is something wrong sometimes and they leave them to die, unfortunately, so they do not attract attention from predators to the entire flock. I hope that's not the case with this little guy!! Bless you for wanting to help him!

 

[MissaBees]

Yeah, I know that happens. I spent my whole childhood in a well wooded area and there were many that I tried to save that just didn't make it for one reason or another. I never give up though ^^

 

[Wynette]

Good for you! Surely someone will pop in soon that has more to offer in the way of advice than I do...hang in there! Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[MissaBees]

Thank you ^^

I'm happy I found you guys. I plan on getting all sorts of critters as soon as I get my own place and I'm sure this forum will come in handy once I look into expanding my family. ^^

 

[Biddieacres]

You will love it here!

I am just learning about geese but if you get him/her started on some waterfowl feed from your local feed store it will help. Lots of water and fresh greens and lots of grazing on grass. Do you have a little shed for him to stay away from nighttime predators?

 

[MissaBees]

I'm sure I can set something up. I'm always willing to go great lengths for my animals. And I'll get to the feed store as soon as I can and pick up some stuff.

 

[barnwife]

For a goose...they like to eat seaweed and the other green junk on the bottom of a pond/creek etc.

They also eat loads of grass. They are great lawn trimmers!!

If your area has no waterfowl specific feed, then a 16%-25% chick starter will work. If the goose is closer to knee height, 15%-16%, if the goose is very small, the 20%.

Chick feed is a generic feed that is good for protein content for geese, BUT it leaves out a couple of essential nutrients that a baby goose really needs. Vit b complex selenium, and vit E are the three biggest ones.

I buy tablets of the first two, crush them and add them directly to the feed. The vit e I get gelcaps, poke a hole and squeeze it directly into the mouth.


Good job about finding a wildlife rehab. Canadian geese fall under state protections in most states, which makes them illegal to be cared for by private citizens without govt permits. Very smart move.


Make sure it is relatively warm, has a water dish that it can dip its entire beak/face into. This is necessary to clear their nasal passages and for them to properly digest food.

provide some form of grit for it..oyster shells or sand/gravel (small gravel) to be used in their crop as "teeth" since they can't chew.


Geese are more easily cared for b/c they do not jump, climb, or get into other areas where they are less welcome very easily. Wrap a couple paper towels diaper-style with some tape and you have yourself a house goose!!

Also, geese do poorly without companionship. They will attach themselves to whatever animal(s) treat it most favorably.

Good Luck with your baby, keep us posted!

 

[MissaBees]

Thanks for all the help!

^^

I'll give you updates as time rolls on and I hope to be sending him off to a new home sometime this week. The nearest center is 2 hours away though >.<

 

[MissaBees]

I'm having a lot of trouble getting contact with rehabilitators

It's really disheartening.

The little guy is a little sick, but he's alert, gets up and walks around, hisses plenty at people, has an appetite and drinks plenty of water.

I'm not sure what I should do.
I leave for work next week and I can't really take care of him much longer. D: