Geese and grass

[azrc]

How much additional food is required for geese beyond the grass that they eat? I have some two week olds and they eat grass continually, aside from sleeping with the occasional nibble on some turkey starter.

I always assume that they know what they're doing and am just wondering how much extra nutrition they receive from the food.

 

[goosedragon]

They will eat the feed that they need, but when the grazing is good it isn't all that much. I only feed in the evening so they don't get lazy. "Why do all that walking if I can just sit on my butt by the feeder?" Actively growing goslings are likely to need the protein boost that they get from feed, and when they start to feather out their wings, they really gobble it down. I usually restrict protein feed during this period or they will grow feathers so fast that the muscles don't keep up and you have slipped winged birds. ~gd