first time with geese....I have some questions...

[1MrsMagoo]

These appear to be severely stunted and emaciated: They may never gain full size and may have health issues if they do (That is not saying quit on them....just be prepared in case). I have posted a photo below of three of my goslings at just over 4 weeks old that were born on Easter week for comparison.

If your two were given to the child on Easter, odds are they are about the same age as mine. They should have good feathering on their wings and head by their bill and starting everywhere else (feel fluffy and prickly at the same time).

sl

Here is a photo of the Toulouse gander pictured above at 8 weeks old. Sadly, THIS is what these poor little guys SHOULD look like NOW....

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Received Tweety and Chad and have them settled in their temporary coop for the evening.
Included a tub with water for bathing and hay for sleeping and shreded some brocolli and grass for treats. Chad is gray with a black bill and Tweety is white with a pink bill. The mom sent a couple of cups of a food that looks like chick crumbles but it was labeled duck starter...Is that something I can find in a feed store?

They lived their first two months in a dog crate ( 2 x 3 x 2.5) in a child's bedroom...never been in deep water and never been outside.
Looks like Tweety has some knee issues..like a slipping tenden or lack of niacin. They both jumped into the tub and took a bath and then have been preening themselves while nibbling the grass and brocolli.
Here are a few pictures. The crate they are in is 3 x the size of the one they hve been using.
You can see Tweety's knee in the first picture. Is the feathering normal for 8 weeks or are they behind? They appear a little stunted to me..... What do you think?









After tonight, I will be placing them outside in a shady grassy spot with a big pan of water. The sunshine and exercise should do both of them some good!

These poor goslings should be the poster birds put on informational brochures and people REQUIRED to read prior to being allowed to buy goslings, chicks, or ducklings at Easter.

Those of you who are easily offended should stop reading here, because I am climbing on my soap box...............
Irresponsible crap like this makes me SO mad....grrr.
We have ended up being given over half a dozen guinea pigs over the past 8 years that ended up in a similar horrible condition. Oh, it's cute! Buy it, take it home, stick it in a Rubbermaid tote full of Cedar chips, never even Google proper food or care techniques, and then never clean its bedding and forget to give it food and water. Then good old mom and dad give it away to the first person who will take it because it is too much work.

Animals are a responsibility and depend on us for proper care and food. The animal fairy doesn't just flit down out of the sky and doink you on the head so you know exactly how to care for a critter....it takes making an effort to find that information out. If a person has no intention of doing those things, they shouldn't buy that puppy, kitty, bird, or rodent.....ever.

Kudos to those of you who come here and ask questions that will help you take better care of your ducks, chickens, geese, and turkeys (or whatever you have). An even bigger gold star for those of you who do it BEFORE you have the animal in your possession (not always possible....I know).
Okay vent...rant over...

Poor little souls should be nearly adult sized at their age, but instead have to struggle to walk. Thank goodness you have taken them in and are caring for them. If you need any more help please let me know.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This makes me cry. Bless you for taking them in.

 

[larkflying]

Oh those poor little geese . . . so glad that they are safe and in a better place . . . I suppose the good thing is that they had each other at least . . .

 

[Winisk]

Oh my gosh they don`t look well. You are so kind to take them on. I can just imagine how they will feel after even a week of good food and exercise. Give them some dandelion leaves. My pair gobble them up. Let us know how they progress.

While I`m here, I imagined my geese roaming over the meadow grazing here and there, bathing in the pond, etc.. Instead my pair of six week old goslings are like dogs who sit on the porch even though they have the woods to explore. They love our walks down to the pond but as soon as I leave, they are in hot pursuit of me. As a result, a lot of poop is concentrated near my home. Is this behaviour going to change as they gain confidence in their surroundings? I`m tempted to build an enclosure at the pond for daytime use while keeping the pen under my deck for the night. I would love to build a permanent goose habitat away from the house eventually, but they do so love being near all the activity.

 

[NanaKat]

Thought I'd post a few pictures from today. Thank you to 1MrsMagoo for helping me with the diagnosis for little Tweety (Ninya)
Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do. There are no real feathers just soft fuzz. Tweety is missing a wing tip so will never have a full wing on sone side. Their faces look shallow to me so I believe you are correct...they are emaciated. Will be working on that. Brewer's yeast for niacin,
poly-visol in their water, loads of nutritious treats and lots of exercise.

Bath time in deep water..diving


Tweety has a brace for her slipped tendon and a hobble. She wouldn't walk with the hobble so I removed it for today. getting her used to the brace first...one step at a time.


Lunch outside with nice clean dry, preened bodies.


Enjoying a drink


Exploring the grass pen


Geese down...for a rest


At night they will sleep in the cage in the barn for the security and warmth. They already whistle when I come around the pen and were ready to go "home" for the evening. The grey baby followed me across the driveway to the barn while I carried Ninya Tweety and marched right in to the hay bed when I opened the door. These little ones have so much heart!

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Thought I'd post a few pictures from today. Thank you to 1MrsMagoo for helping me with the diagnosis for little Tweety (Ninya)
Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do. There are no real feathers just soft fuzz. Tweety is missing a wing tip so will never have a full wing on sone side. Their faces look shallow to me so I believe you are correct...they are emaciated. Will be working on that. Brewer's yeast for niacin,
poly-visol in their water, loads of nutritious treats and lots of exercise.

Bath time in deep water..diving


Tweety has a brace for her slipped tendon and a hobble. She wouldn't walk with the hobble so I removed it for today. getting her used to the brace first...one step at a time.


Lunch outside with nice clean dry, preened bodies.


Enjoying a drink


Exploring the grass pen


Geese down...for a rest


At night they will sleep in the cage in the barn for the security and warmth. They already whistle when I come around the pen and were ready to go "home" for the evening. The grey baby followed me across the driveway to the barn while I carried Ninya Tweety and marched right in to the hay bed when I opened the door. These little ones have so much heart!

Good job on the splint and excellent call on the hobbles. As long as the tendon stays in place and she is able to walk (which sadly needs to be kept to a minimum for a couple days) then they probably aren't necessary. If they do become necessary (you'll know by the way she is walking), it will take her a bit to get used to them, but she will eventually. Luckily for her, she probably has short bursts of energy followed by long rest periods due to her physical condition: This will work to her advantage right now. Also, by the time the tendon is holding in place, she will probably have started to perk up and want to be more and more active, which will be good timing.

Gosh, they are starting to look better already and I bet in another week they will have grown quite a bit and filled out. It also looks like they are REALLY enjoying their food and swims!

Most importantly, they look happy, so good job for that as well as all your hard work. These two will be your little buddies for life.

Looks like they have your wrapped around their fuzzy little wing tips already.

 

[NanaKat]

I made the hobble out of velcro and stretchy fuzzy elastic. Works really good and is soft on her legs. And it can get wet and will dry quickly. Easy to remove but stays in place.
Yes, they are beginning to bondand I think they look some better also.
Thank you so much for your helpful advice too!

 

[Iain Utah]

Those poor babies!!!

for saving them!

 

[1MrsMagoo]

No problem NanaKat. I am happy I was able to be of some help. It is amazing how much you can learn in a short period of time when you really need to. It is the best feeling in the world to help save or improve the quality of some innocent little critters life. You have blessed me by posting this and allowing me to help: Thank you.

Just keep posting photos of these two as they go so we can see their progress. I have a special fondness for your two little fuzz-balls and have always loved an underdog story with a happy ending.