feeding week old chinese goslings

[addictedtopoultry]

hi ive just recently bought two gorgeous week old chinese goslings, first time owning geese i have chickens or various breeds as well as call ducks and indian runners.

Id love for some good information on what to feed, handling etc to raise healthy and friendly geese i currently have them on duck and goose starter crumb but they dont seem to interested in it and i have dug up some grass with clover and put in a litter tray to put in there brooder as i only have a yard as my allotment is currently on getting sorted.

i have attached picture of my cute little fluff butts that currently have no name but yin and yang have been suggested already so through some names my way lol.

look forward to hearing and gaining some good advice thanks in advance sandy

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I picked grass and snipped it up into bite size pieces. Mine loved it. I was surprised how much grass they eat. They also love dandelion greens. Keeping my trio in grass became a full time job for a while. I also gave mine a bit of scrambled eggs. They still enjoy them as a treat. Mine didn't eat a whole lot of ration, but they did eat some. Mostly greens.

 

[addictedtopoultry]

Thanks for reply I’m going to go get them a few greens from supermarket and chop them up I’ve put some peas in there drinking water let’s see if they find them lol and I’ve also got this in there brooder they don’t seem to interested in that either lol x

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mine like plain old grass and dandelion greens. It does help if you snip them up. Than I sprinkled them on their feed. Each day they consumed more and more.

 

[addictedtopoultry]

Ok thanks I will try that any clues as to what leafy greens I could buy them at supermarket? X

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok thanks I will try that any clues as to what leafy greens I could buy them at supermarket? X

I didn't do that. I did give mine some leaf lettuce from my garden, so probably something like that. Lettuce can be mostly water so it should be fed sparingly, especially in young animals.

 

[addictedtopoultry]

I didn't do that. I did give mine some leaf lettuce from my garden, so probably something like that. Lettuce can be mostly water so it should be fed sparingly, especially in young animals.

Ok I will get some lettuce as a treat I can eat the rest

 

[N ID Goose mom]

When they are young they don't eat a lot but that amount will increase quickly, just keep food in front of the them at all times. Once feeding green (anything other than starter) make sure they have some chick size grit. When mine started on greens I just went into the yard and picked clover, soft grass, and dandelions. I cut them up in 1/2-1 inch chunks so they could chow down. Make sure there is access to water by their food since they need drink water when eating. Mine also liked it if I put some of their Mazuri waterfowl starter in water they seemed to like it soft for the first two-three weeks. I also placed there greens in cool water in the beginning and they seemed to like that too.

My 7 week old goslings still only eat about 1 cup of feed each daily at the most and I think my dog gets most of that. When in the brooder until 5 weeks, they were eating 1/2-3/4 cup each. They are mostly eating grass, clover, plantain, and dandelions still. But throw in snacks like watermelon.

Just be with them and they will be following you around like mama before you know it. And enjoy the various phases. Mine still have the baby peeps which I love but now honks are being mixed in. Socialize as much as you can and let them get use to a variety of stimuli. Any behavior you don't or do want in an adult instil as a goslings. Mine are getting really good at "no bites" command when they nibble because I don't want them to nibble on me or others when adult size. I won't let them chase the cats or dogs, because yes it's cute right now but I don't want them to terrorize their diverse family members.

If you have any questions or concerns just ask. There is a great fount of knowledge on this website and goose forum. Help is there is you need it.