Death in Geese

[arherp]

Layena is medicated, it will kill them. It also has not enough portein, so it will stunt their growth.

 

[arherp]

BTW, I am sorry but... Failure to thrive after ten days? I am sure that you know how rapid of changers/growers chicks are, as many as you keep. I believe there is no such thing as FTT in a ten day old animal. PROTEIN is key. Buy chick feed for chicks, there is no standard feed for all stages of all birds.

 

[pips&peeps]

I feed my ducklings and geese Purina Start N Grow and have never had a problem. The medication in the feed is amprolium and is not lethal to waterfowl.

I do switch to Flock raiser earlier than on my chicks though. I also provide my goslings with lots of fresh grass clippings and they prefer it to the feed.

There is a possible disease that ducks and geese can get in the incubator/hatcher that will cause them to fail to thrive and will cause death at around two weeks. It is called aspergillosis; it is basically when mold spores from the incubator get into the hatchlings lungs and start to grow. Here is the link from the Merck Vet Manual about it:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/206100.htm

You have probably already disposed of the bodies, so a necropsy is not possible.

I would try again, next time, don't use hay for bedding and clean the brooder as best you can. Sorry you lost your goslings.

 

[vicki2x2]

I also have to disagree about the protein. Geese do NOT need high protein, in fact, they should NOT have high protein. They should be fed chick starter or waterfowl starter for 2-4 weeks, then switch to waterfowl pellets, about 16% according to waterfowl experts. The extra protein will cause them to grow to fast, which can cause problems with their legs and angel wing. Also pellets are easier for them, because crumbles and mash clog their nares. Water should always be deep enough to dip their head in enough to clear the nares out.

 

[arherp]

Umm, chick starter would be your high protein... you just contradicted yourself man.

 

[vicki2x2]

Yes it is, which is why they should only have it for the first 2-4 weeks to get them started. A very short time in the life of a goose. If I had to choose, keep them on the starter for life or keep them on waterfowl pellets, I would go with the pellets, hands down. Oh, and I am not a man.

 

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But everything I've read says to keep them on starter till they are 10 weeks, I wish my book would get here. Any thoughts? jennifer

 

[CityChicker]

Yeah, I would highly suggest some of you get a book (preferably something written in the last 25 years because some of the information/advice posted on these boards lately is ancient). Chick starter is fine for waterfowl. We go over this about 6 times a day here anymore, LOL. Most medicated feeds are fine for waterfowl these days as most are medicated with Amprol, something that has been known to be safe for waterfowl for at least a couple *decades*.

All that said, we do not feed our waterfowl chick starter. If that is a person's only option or if they prefer it, they certainly can though. In about 25 years of raising waterfowl though, I have never lost even a single bird to cocci. I, personally, also do not like feeds with a lot of protein. We are currently using Flock Raiser (20% protein) for the first couple weeks with oats sprinkled on top from day one. Starting within the first few days of life, we add more and more oats until it is approximately 25% total of the mix (to bring down the protein). We also add fresh greens and Brewer's yeast from the first week.

The OP's problems (at least the ones I can comment on) were probably excess calcium and lack of Niacin. It has LONG been established that excess calcium will kill baby waterfowl dead as a door nail. Layer feed for goslings is an awful idea (as is exposing them to a predator). A lot of the other information in this post is subjective. Different people may offer slightly different things, for example some do feed a slightly higher protein and their birds are fine especially if they can forage. Some of it is a matter of fact and some is opinion.

 

[[email protected]]

Citychicker - you are the BEST! After reading and thinking about it, I can see where protein in high amts can make them grow too fast, and I don't want that. I was going by what the mfg co said, to 10 weeks, but I really like giving them spinach, cause they like it and it's green. I just don't know if they are getting enough Niacin. I haven't found any brewers yeast yet. Anyway, wonderfully written post, thank you! jennifer

 

[TennesseeTruly]

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, but I really like giving them spinach, cause they like it and it's green.

Please, please, please don't give your geese spinach. It has oxalic acid in it and will rob their bones of calcium. If you're going to feed them greens, please feed them kale. Its a lot better for them than the spinach is. Even grass from outside is better for them than spinach.

You shouldn't give spinach to any kind of bird whether is a parrot, chicken, duck, or goose!

Good luck!!

Laurie​