Baby geese for the first time, just have a couple questions

[tinydancer87]

My broody hatched out two pilgrim goslings about 4 days ago, one girl and one boy. Sebastian and Glorianna--see avatar picture.

Every so often I'll see one of them kinda vibrate, I really see it in the head and neck area. I know they're not cold. Also, they do not appear to be really interested in water, I am used to baby ducks that you can't keep out of the water, lol!

Are these behaviors pretty normal? They are really sweet, let me pick them up and hold them. They seem almost TOO calm, compared to the baby chicks of the same age.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Congratulations on your adorable new goslings!

Mine don't really seem too interested in swimming in water until they are a couple of weeks old (around 2-3 weeks). This is probably better for them anyway since they are mostly downy fluff until that point anyway. Their interest in water seems to develop with their feathers. By the time they are 2 months old they will spend a great deal of time in the water if they are able: At least mine do.

I don't recall seeing the vibrating thing, but then again maybe am just used to it by now.

Keep holding and bonding with the goslings. For the most part they are VERY calm compared to ducklings or chicks. The amount of time you spend with them is directly proportionate to how friendly they will be with you. The more bonded they are to you, the more they regard you as one of them and not a threat.

I handle my goslings two times a day (except for my special gosling Griffin, who has leg issues who is handled and held multiple times daily). This way they are tolerant of me, but more attached to the flock than me. The 5 month old Pomeranians I raised this way fuss about being picked up (can reach down and grab them) and will move if you get right on top of them, but don't run away if you are close or just headed their way. Their parents, whom I purchased as adults a year ago, won't let me within 5 feet of them. I can pick them up but it usually involves some chasing, cornering, and hissing.

Again good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of geese!

 

[Going Bhonkers]

my goslings didnt have trembly neck, but I got them when they were a week old, so maybe they did it before then? Could it be that your goslings are scared of something? That sometimes causes them to shake their neck.
As far as the water goes, when you say they're not interested, do you mean they're not intersted in going in it to swim, or that they dont like to drink it? My goslings HAD to have drinking water nearby constantly. As far as swimming goes, during their second week, we would put them in a shallow pan and they seemed to enjoy just floating. When they had enough they would swim to the edge, they had trouble getting out so we had to help them.

 

[tinydancer87]

Thanks for the responses! They love to drink it, they just don't want to get in it. I thought they would be like ducks, but they prefer to just eat grass and their food, and then they'll just lay down and relax and preen themselves. I usually hold them 3-4 times daily (how can I not they are so cute!) The hen is very friendly too. They will try to get away when my hand comes toward them but once I've got them they'll lay in my lap and groom my hands. The male is more easygoing than the female. When they see me they will come towards my direction, stretching their little necks out and peeping. The vibrating thing only lasts a second or two, and it is the neck, I've only seen it in the female, but she seems to be doing fine otherwise so I'm not too worried.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

My broody hatched out two pilgrim goslings about 4 days ago, one girl and one boy. Sebastian and Glorianna--see avatar picture.

Every so often I'll see one of them kinda vibrate, I really see it in the head and neck area. I know they're not cold. Also, they do not appear to be really interested in water, I am used to baby ducks that you can't keep out of the water, lol!

Are these behaviors pretty normal? They are really sweet, let me pick them up and hold them. They seem almost TOO calm, compared to the baby chicks of the same age.

The new goslings are adorable.
I have seen my gander do the head vibration thing. He usually does it when he is not happy about something, like my dog trying to herd him, or the chickens get into his food bowl. I get the impression that it is a warning, like a growl in a dog.
Cindy