Drowned Gosling

[bobhoke]

Bought 4 goslings (Pilgrim) from the cackle hatchery and one was a runt. They are 2.5 weeks old today. The runt jumped in the kiddie and didn’t come out. I found her drowned. I really don’t know how it happened, but I assume she got cold and tired and drowned. I was away for about 2 hours. I now have a large brick and rock in each pool so they have something to swim to. I did not think geese could drown. Hell I’ve even gone back there and found chicks staying afloat. Very odd, but this is my first year raising geese - lesson learned.

 

[sourland]

I hit 'like' on this post not because I really liked it but because it is good of you to present this as a warning to others. A ramp, or bricks or rocks allowing ducklings or goslings to exit 'swimming' water is always a good idea. I also have always monitored swimming sessions until they are fairly well feathered. Sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing this.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Even non-runts can drown at that age. I’m pretty paranoid, so I’ve never let mine play in water without my supervision. Although that would be pretty impossible is mama goose was in charge.

Sorry you lost one. I had one die in transit from Metzer to me, I think the 4 Cayuga, and 1 Pekin ducklings trampled it.

 

[Percheron chick]

Dump the pool until they are about 2 months old. I give my babies a flat 3 gallon rubber feed pan with 3-4 inches of water to practice in. They have to be tall and strong enough to get out of the kiddy pool before I leave it filled and unsupervised. Rock and bricks aren't the solution. They don't connect the dots that they have to swim over to the brick, stand on it and jump out. It's also a long drop for a gosling.
Sorry for your loss. I've been there too.

 

[drumstick diva]

So sorry

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for your loss.