Dying gosling

[livininbrazil]

One of my four week old goslings was fine an hour ago, but now she won't walk, can barely hold her head up, won't eat, won't drink, cold to the touch, no vets here will do ducks or geese and I have no idea how to help.

Are they getting enough niacin? I know we´re always saying it, but it seems a huge problem. And these symptoms sound like it could be niacin deficiency. Brewer´s yeast.

 

[Carrosaur]

They get poultry vitamins in their water every day and there is niacin in them, if that helps?

 

[livininbrazil]

They get poultry vitamins in their water every day and there is niacin in them, if that helps?

Well if there´s a good amount of niacin, that shouldn´t be the problem.
How sad that they´re having these problems. So have you moved their pen onto some new bit of grass? Could there be some weed that they´ve eaten that´s bad for them?

 

[Carrosaur]

Could be a different weed. This is so frustrating. Apple has started waving her head around like Peaches before she died.

 

[Carrosaur]

Does her chest look weird?

 

[Carrosaur]

here's a video of her walking. Her poop is a brownish green. Her chest looks very large.

 

[EeyoreD]

I don't mean to be grisly or heartless here - I went though a very similar thing last year. I'm not saying you're having the same thing but I'm wondering if my solution could be the same for you.

I had many birds (mostly ducklings but also a turkey and a goose) die last year, and I couldn't figure out why. I probably waited too long (which killed me) but I ultimately called my Ag university and they said they would do a necropsy. I didn't have - I'm not completing this sentence. I took a bird in that had the symptoms and knew was going to die.

Turns out it was some weird pathogen carried by wild birds that got into my flock. According to the University vet the treatment was a sulfa-based treatment. But that is VERY controversial unless it's actually needed.

My point is, if possible, find a universty/ag place that can diagnose your issue. And look at their requirements for tests.

It sucks but, on the upside, you may get the business card/contact info for a person who is intensely interesting in poultry problems that you can contact at other times.

 

[Carrosaur]

Great idea. If this next gosling does not look any better tomorrow I will definitely do that.

 

[Carrosaur]

My male goose, Pear, has a very normal looking crop and has not shown any of the signs that Peaches and Apple had. Do you think this could be part of an impacted crop? If so, why the head thrashing and lethargy?

 

[EeyoreD]

I'm sorry, I don't know. With the exception of last year I haven't had to deal with many problems. I sacrificed my favorite (but dying) duckling to the university and let you know what I found out. But it may not be your issue. I wish I could give you more information. I'm sorry. I really am and I wish you the best of everything.