advice for first time gosling owner?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Your getting a great calmer breed. That will help and you’ll have till next year to have to deal with a grumpy gander during mating season too! I had two adult geese who had lost their only gosling to get to hatch but died trying to hatch so I brought home two goslings to give to them but I waited 3 weeks before they got them full time first my female grieved for a week and wasn’t very interested in the new babies but everyday it was in June so nice an warm out we’d go for a walk passed her house and she would peek outside of course my gander wouldn’t leave her side but as soon as Missy got up an interested he was right there with her. So here we’d go me in front the two goslings behind me and the adult geese behind them. We did this for two more weeks till mama and papa goose were spending all their time with the goslings and I was just sitting there watching and at three weeks one evening when the geese went inside I put the goslings in with them it was such a precious sight to see Missy lay down and the two goslings lay down next to her. They were a family after that. I am not sure if your Muscovy would take yo them you could always try. But you’ll miss out on building that relationship with your goslings. But what ever you decide be sure to get them out around the other birds so they all get use to each other. I took my new Runner ducklings outside yesterday afternoon and I wish you could have heard my goose Missy she was so excited to hear babies. They are wonderful parents. My gander was papa goose to many Muscovy ducklings before I brought home a female goose for him. My goose no longer lays and I found out the hard way that 4 geese together can cause trouble in the barnyard so I sadly had to rehome the two young ones when they turned s year old. My Embden gander would be on someone’s table in no time so he stays here till the end of his life. Him and Missy have been here 12 and 7 years.

Sounds like I may end up really liking geese. I will take them around everyone so everyone becomes familiar. After doing some reading I may had made a mistake getting a gander. If necessary he will be removed. Hopefully he doesn't make troubles. I am excited. It's probably why I'm so nervous and I'm afraid I will kill them all.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You won't they are tough little things.

This is my first time brooding ducklings I only ever had one duckling inside and that was almost 8 yrs ago and only reason he was in was mama attacked him when he hatched.

If I can do it you def can. Muscovy's take all the work away from us so I never have had to brood any water fowl other than the goslings and my drake. I don't think your Buff gander will be anything like My Embden gander no comparison as far as temperament. Buffs are much nicer. That's not to say he won't get all protective it's just their nature. But I don't think he'll be anything like Embden. Turned out my two goslings I got at a day old were Buff and Toulouse. If I could have kept them they would have been awesome but I don't know why but the 4 together started going after the hens and some of my Muscovy's and I was really afraid someone was going to end up dead. It was taking the enjoyment out of having the flock. Sam and Miss have their moments especially during breeding season where they will grab someone but they have not caught one and circled it like the 4 did. I think you'll have a enjoyable time raising yours they really are neat birds. And I don't want to put fear into your mind that they are going to go out and start killing your other birds. But during mating season you may want to have a designated pen for them so they can have time out if they get too ornery.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You won't they are tough little things.

This is my first time brooding ducklings I only ever had one duckling inside and that was almost 8 yrs ago and only reason he was in was mama attacked him when he hatched.

If I can do it you def can. Muscovy's take all the work away from us so I never have had to brood any water fowl other than the goslings and my drake. I don't think your Buff gander will be anything like My Embden gander no comparison as far as temperament. Buffs are much nicer. That's not to say he won't get all protective it's just their nature. But I don't think he'll be anything like Embden. Turned out my two goslings I got at a day old were Buff and Toulouse. If I could have kept them they would have been awesome but I don't know why but the 4 together started going after the hens and some of my Muscovy's and I was really afraid someone was going to end up dead. It was taking the enjoyment out of having the flock. Sam and Miss have their moments especially during breeding season where they will grab someone but they have not caught one and circled it like the 4 did. I think you'll have a enjoyable time raising yours they really are neat birds. And I don't want to put fear into your mind that they are going to go out and start killing your other birds. But during mating season you may want to have a designated pen for them so they can have time out if they get too ornery.

Thanks for this. My shed is set up in such a way that chickens can escape each other and my muscovy if necessary. I'm gonna play it by ear. If necessary I can pen them separately, but would prefer not to. I also keep turkeys. Those are definitely penned separately. They don't play nice with no one.

I'm looking forward to honking geese. I like that sound. Hopefully they aren't up early honking at my house. They would get a pen that way.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think that is the best way. Enjoy them as they are babies and don't even think about when older and breeding age you'll do fine, You'll be ready if you ever need to make any changes and your experienced especially if you have Turkey's. I look forward to seeing them.

 

[house.of.ducks]

Following because I have some geese coming the end of May and I haven't kept them before either. ​

good luck!!

 

[house.of.ducks]

If you’ve raised ducklings its pretty much the same. They are adorable and messy. Lol they love your attention when mine were tiny on really warm days we’d go out side and I’d sit and watch them play and learn they are very smart and love adventures. They also love to graze so If you have grass growing already that will help get them started just short soft grasses are the best. Any other questions feel free to ask but I can tell you from experience you’ll love having your goslings they are such a joy. I started mine off on Purina Flock Raiser crumble it’s a great feed both because it has adequate niacin but you can feed it all their lives. Or water fowl feed if you don’t have a mixed flock. Spend a lot of time with them they will be your best buddies.

Thank you!!

 

[hereorthere]

So do you let them pick their own grass? Or do you cut some up for them? I'm reading that some grass should help to prevent angel wing? And should be given daily?

Cut them up and placed on top of the wet feed or on top of water pail, as well as other weeds; you're their mama, so gotta show them how. If you intro all weeds to them before 6wks of age....they will certainly develop quite a palate. Ended calling my 2 girls after all the weeds in my yard- Dani & Clover.

Here's a great link that I followed: https://www.metzerfarms.com/UsingWeederGeese.cfm

I raised my goslings with muscovy ducklings...both were equally messy. Outside brooding worked best for me. Lots of water play.

 

[house.of.ducks]

I'm reading it helps to cut the protein in the ration to add grass and lettuce. The one author believes Angel wing comes from too much protein and gosling raised by a mom goose on pasture don't develop it as often as those raised by humans.

What type of bedding do you use when brooding?

Sorry @house.of.ducks I don't mean to hijack your thread. Hopefully I'm asking things you wanted to know too.

Aha it’s okay, you definitely are. The more I know before I get them the better

 

[bluemerle]

Oh, this will be my first year with goslings too! Two little Toulouse babies will be put on hold for me once they arrive at the feed store, and I will be getting them next Tuesday/possibly Wednesday. I am so excited. And nervous. And even more excited!

 

[Gray Farms]

Don't stress about the noise and large amount of poo. You'll get use to it. In time you'll get to know their noise by heart. The everyday normal noises and then there is the "get here quick, its a fox" noise.