Crying gosling

[lina500]

We were given two week-old goslings a few days ago. From the first moment we had them, it seemed like they were already pre-imprinted to humans. They follow us around and cry if they can't see us. I was hoping since they are together they would knock it off if I left them alone a bit, but it's been three days and one of them is still crying for extended periods of time if she can't see one of us. Any suggestions of how I can encourage her to rely on her gosling buddy instead of humans and get her to stop crying?

 

[livininbrazil]

We were given two week-old goslings a few days ago. From the first moment we had them, it seemed like they were already pre-imprinted to humans. They follow us around and cry if they can't see us. I was hoping since they are together they would knock it off if I left them alone a bit, but it's been three days and one of them is still crying for extended periods of time if she can't see one of us. Any suggestions of how I can encourage her to rely on her gosling buddy instead of humans and get her to stop crying?

That´s part of being goslings, that´s the way they are. You could put a biggish mirror in there with them to make them feel like there are more of them. Otherwise, just give it time, they´ll get used to it.

 

[lina500]

Thanks! I had no idea that they are just like this. We just finally got our duckling to stop crying (he's been allowed to hang out with the big ducks) so thought we'd have some peace and quiet. I guess not!

Right now I've been moving the goslings inside at night. How old before I can put them outside? It's very warm here so temperature isn't really an issue.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks! I had no idea that they are just like this. We just finally got our duckling to stop crying (he's been allowed to hang out with the big ducks) so thought we'd have some peace and quiet. I guess not!

Right now I've been moving the goslings inside at night. How old before I can put them outside? It's very warm here so temperature isn't really an issue.

You just want to mainly make sure the bigger ducks and more mature ducks don't pick on the young goslings. and also predators what kind do you have and can you keep everyone safe outside.

 

[lina500]

The bigger ducks ignore them, the smaller duck goes after them but is half the size so it's not too threatening. The only predators we have are domestic dogs and cats. We are going to get our fencing secured this week which will keep the dogs out. During the day I let the ducks roam outside, but keep the goslings in a basket like this unless I am there to watch them. I'd like to keep them in these baskets at night once they are big enough.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The bigger ducks ignore them, the smaller duck goes after them but is half the size so it's not too threatening. The only predators we have are domestic dogs and cats. We are going to get our fencing secured this week which will keep the dogs out. During the day I let the ducks roam outside, but keep the goslings in a basket like this unless I am there to watch them. I'd like to keep them in these baskets at night once they are big enough.

Those are nice baskets but if you have digging preds I'd be concerned about them outside at night. Dogs to me are #1 predators of water fowl. if there was a way to secure this basket to the ground, are they heavy?

 

[lina500]

I put a couple of paving stones on top of the baskets to weigh them down. But yes, if a predator wanted at them, it would get them I think. We are also setting up some motion-sensor lights. The dogs have to get through a barbed wire fence (which they can do, during the day) so hopefully I will make the yard so inhospitable they won't try anything.

 

[livininbrazil]

Those are nice baskets but if you have digging preds I'd be concerned about them outside at night. Dogs to me are #1 predators of water fowl. if there was a way to secure this basket to the ground, are they heavy?

I like your avatar, MLyd. Also, my dogs would plough straight through those baskets if they wanted to, so I doubt they´re very effective. Mine don´t touch birds any more, I´m pleased to say, but they make holes in my fences and go off on wanders, barbed wire no object. They´re able to get out of and into anywhere they want to, whatever I do..only electric fencing works.
Lina, I´d say you need to keep your goslings indoors for another month at least until they´re big enough to not be such a temptation.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like your avatar, MLyd. Also, my dogs would plough straight through those baskets if they wanted to, so I doubt they´re very effective. Mine don´t touch birds any more, I´m pleased to say, but they make holes in my fences and go off on wanders, barbed wire no object. They´re able to get out of and into anywhere they want to, whatever I do..only electric fencing works.
Lina, I´d say you need to keep your goslings indoors for another month at least until they´re big enough to not be such a temptation.

Thanks livin.

 

[lina500]

I like your avatar, MLyd. Also, my dogs would plough straight through those baskets if they wanted to, so I doubt they´re very effective. Mine don´t touch birds any more, I´m pleased to say, but they make holes in my fences and go off on wanders, barbed wire no object. They´re able to get out of and into anywhere they want to, whatever I do..only electric fencing works.
Lina, I´d say you need to keep your goslings indoors for another month at least until they´re big enough to not be such a temptation.

I have a bigger basket that is similar to those but it's metal. So I think I'm going to put the wooden basket inside the metal one. Also, we have barbed wire fences separating us from the neighbors. This keeps out big dogs, but smaller dogs can get through. I think I'm going to put a few more layers of the barbed wire and that will prevent any dogs from getting in.