Adding gosling to human imprinted goose

[Sarkchick]

I'm very happy for you. Finding the goslings. I hope all goes smoothly.

 

[The goose girl]

I got the goslings this morning and introduced them to their new mother. It did not go smoothly. She got up and hissed at them, but I palmed them and snuck them under her, and all was well. The goslings were happy and stopped whining, and mommy settled peacefully. Until they got out to eat and drink. Then the hissing started all over, and she has continued to hiss at them all day whenever they get up and move around.

They found their food and water, so they won't starve or go go thirsty. And she lets them snuggle under her wings after a good deal of hissing. I was afraid she'd bite them, but they don't say anything when she touches them with her bill, so I don't think she'll harm them. But nothing has changed in her behavior all day, and I don't know if I should let them stay with her during the night. Will they be safe?

 

[Sarkchick]

I'm not sure. But I would think if she lets them back under for warmth, that she is excepting them in her own way.
@Miss Lydia , what do you think

 

[Iain Utah]

If I recall, these are 2 day old goslings. I would not leave them outside at night. When I have challenges like this, I set up a pen inside my house with a heat lamp in one end. Depending on goose, I will either make pen big enough to be inside with goslings, or have goose just outside of pen. It does not take long, especially if you break her off her nest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would not feel comfortable letting them stay out with her over night bonding may take a few days to a week .

 

[Sarkchick]

Thank you both, Miss Lydia and Iain Utah.

 

[The goose girl]

Thank you so much, Sarkchick, Miss Lydia, and Iain Utah.

I ended up letting them stay with her overnight. They're not outside per se; they're in a small goose house, and it's fairly warm here. It went fine, both goslings were happy and active this morning, and best of all: mommy hardly hisses at them at all now. I'll remove her last egg from the nest tomorrow and see if that helps them bonding. I wanted to do it today, but I need to set up protection from crows before they can go outside, and as the wind was really strong today it couldn't be done.

They're sooo cute!

 

[Sarkchick]

I'm so glad everything went smoothly last night.
Those babies are so precious looking.

 

[Iain Utah]

So freaking precious! I couldn't be happier for you and your goose. Congrats!!

 

[The goose girl]

Happy news! I set up the pavilion today. When I opened the door to the goose house, the goslings ran out - and mommy got really upset and followed them! They were outside in the pavilion for a while, and at one point both goslings were behind me. Mama goose started calling for them immediately, and she greeted them when I produced them for her. So it seems they have bonded now - I am so happy and relieved.

I removed the last egg from the nest while they were out. She didn't seem upset when she came back in, and she settled calmly with the goslings for a nap. I think we're over the hump now.

Thank you all so much for your help and insights! I was feeling so insecure about this whole project, and it helped tremendously to have you guys to "talk to".