Blind African Buff

[Boots owner]

Our African buff started laying eggs that were infertile so I would take them away well there were. Some that she sat on for about three days before I took them. I had noticed one of her eyes was cloudy, the other wasn't. This was about a month ago.... Now the other eye has a small cloudy spot on it and the only way I can get her to come out of her sheltered nest is to pick her up and take her down by the pond. She may get in and swim or she may just walk back to the nest. We did have a mean Muscovy that almost killed her as she was sitting in her nest, so he is no longer with us. The only way she will eat or drink is if I sit there with her bowl and hold it to her beak or tap on the water bowl that is sitting right there at her. I don't know if she is mourning her eggs, scared the mean duck might "get" her or scared because she can't see. She has no problem standing or finding her way back to her nest when I take her out. Any suggestions as to how to help her would be greatly appreciated.

 

[larkflying]

If she doesn't have a mate / a fellow goose might help, and a fenced - smaller - safer environment. She needs a "guide goose". You'll have to keep helping her eat/drink I imagine -- but if you always leave the bowl in the same spot, and keep tapping it for her, eventually she may learn how to find it herself - like she can find her way back to her nest . . . Make sure you keep her environment as much the same as possible . . .

I think there's a thread on here about someone who has a blind goose as well . . . maybe it would have some more ideas for you . . .

 

[RURU]

Whenever you have a blind anything it is always good to have it a companion guide animal or bird to help them get around. Plus as said by larkflying a goose guide. Never change the pen, water source or feed. This way the goose will feel more secure and function so much better.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Whenever you have a blind anything it is always good to have it a companion guide animal or bird to help them get around. Plus as said by larkflying a goose guide. Never change the pen, water source or feed. This way the goose will feel more secure and function so much better.

Iain Utah has a blind goose, maybe she'll offer some good advise.

 

[Iain Utah]

If I understand correctly..... your goose is broody. About a month ago you noticed beginning clouding on her eyes. Now she refuses to leave nest and you are concerned that she does not want to drink/eat?

The cloudiness in the eyes could be cataracts. That is what happened to my girl. I rescued her last July at approx. 2.5 months old. At that time she was 80%+ blind and quickly getting to 100%. Her eyes got very cloudy and then teared up as the cataracts went into final stages, as the process is irritating to the eyes. She was very depressed when I got her. I took her to 3 vets, including an eye specialist. I was advised that there is corrective surgery, but they have not been able to create a proper goose lens, so the vision they could give her would result in a reverse magnified sight (like being in a house of mirrors).

I was also advised to not do the surgery, as Blind Girl (BG for short) had adjusted remarkably and was quite happy in her yard with special selected companions. Once BG learned every inch of her yard, she can cruise around like any seeing goose. I can move pool and food bowl around, as she listens for the sound of the pouring grain or water and makes the mental connection in her mind. I also throw pieces of watermelon, lettuce, fresh corn, etc.... and she knows the clunk sound means a yummy treat and can find it with no problem. When I enter her yard, I talk softly so she knows where I am at all times.

With all that said, your goose also sounds like a typical broody. The refusal to leave nest and acting depressed since you took her eggs away is perfectly normal behavior.

 

[Boots owner]

Thanks for the help. I will continue to do all I can for her. We have recently gotten some goslings that are now 5 weeks old and when I ordered them she wasn't in this condition so I was hoping she could kind of watch over them. Now will they help her or harm her when I put them together? Or should I look for another adult female goose companion ? We have had a Canada goose and gander fly in, the gander has left the goose here but my"Ellie" doesn't talk to her. The Canada goose will sit in front of Ellie's hutch and they all use to swim together but not any more. How long does the broody "season"last?

 

[larkflying]

I would think the goslings would help her to perk up and become more confident. My geese are all very excited about adopting even older goslings. It may help her snap out of the broody thing . . . . One of the goslings may even develop into her guide goose companion as well . . .

You would just have to make sure that she's able to keep up with therm . . .