Disabled gosling....what to do?

[TennesseeTruly]

I think the newest little gosling that hatched last night has some neurological problems. She's alert, active, nibbling at my fingertips, making baby gosling noises but she is losing her balance big time I'm almost positive that its a neurological problem.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Does she have a chance? I'm going to try to get some video of her shortly.

Laurie

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

Sometimes a gosling (duckling, chick) seems to have a disability when first hatched but after a few days improves to the point of being normal. Just be patient with it. Even if it doesn't recover 100% it might certainly be well enough to get along fine. (If there is something seriously wrong with it, it is likely to die no matter how much care you give it, so be prepared for that.)

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Quote:
I agree. I would like to add that if the baby can eat, drink, go to the bathroom, that I would give it time. Even if it has a neuroligical problem, it may improve or learn how to compensate.

 

[Soccer Mom]

You might try giving her a little boost with some vitamens. Perhaps it's just a weakness.

 

[wegotchickens]

I'd add some liquid poly-vi-sol to her water for the first week and see if she improves.
Just make sure to get the kind without iron.

I've done this with wobbly chicks and had good results.

 

[bock]

She is probably just a little weaker than the rest, I am pretty sure she will become a beautiful birdie like the rest.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

She seems about the same as she was this morning. I'll go into town and get some Polyvisol. I thought I had some but I must have used them all. She'll have a home here, if she makes it. Yesterday one of my male goslings was attacked by the other goslings and they attacked his genitals, among other areas. I'll have to wait until he gets older to check him out because he may not be able to breed. They really did a number on him. He also has a permanent home here.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll just take it day by day and see what happens with her. She is eating and drinking so that's good.

Laurie

 

[TennesseeTruly]

Our sweet little girl that I thought had a neurological problem is 100% okay. It looked like her neck was twisted to one side, similar to wry neck. 17roses was here at my house on Saturday and saw the way she was. By yesterday her neck had straightened out and today she's not only walking fine but running! I think it's the way she was inside the egg.

I brought her outside today and she was running through the grass playing, eating crickets, chasing her siblings, and just having fun. You would have never known that two days ago she could barely walk.

I've been giving her niacin and polyvisol. I don't know if those have helped her or if she just needed time. Either way, she's doing great!

 

[Soccer Mom]

I'm so glad she's better! I imagine time and vitamens were all she needed. Maybe she got a bit twisted up while trying to hatch. Whew!

 

[wegotchickens]

Soooo glad your goose is doing better! I'll bet the vitamins really helped it heal!


I had a silkie chick hatch 4/9 that I was afraid I'd have to put down due to crippled up feet. I decided to give polyvisol & time a chance. I also rubbed and stretched out it's feet every time I cleaned the brooder or played with the chicks.
Yesterday it was put out into the grass to play for a while, I figured it would be it's last bit of fun since it wasn't really improving.

But this morning it's feet are MUCH better, the chick doesn't have a pained expression on it's face, and it gets to LIVE. I'm very happy! It's a pretty baby!!
The feet aren't quite 'normal' looking, but they aren't all curled up any longer. It will get more 'lawn' therapy each afternoon