Goose egg - hatching

[BelovedBirds]

And Sherlock the gosling is out!

The only one that hatched from the eggs that were incubated... In a couple of days, Sherlock will have a Muscovy Duck sibling (currently under lockdown). Hopefully she / he, won't be too lonely.

a mirror could help with loneliness

 

[BelovedBirds]

Congrats! To avoid having the gosling imprint on you until the muscovy hatches, do not handle the gosling; feed and water only.

why would you not want them to imprint until the second hatches?

 

[nchls school]

why would you not want them to imprint until the second hatches?

Imprint on human geese will not breed, but as a pet-no problem; imprinting just strengthens the bonds between the gosling and owner. An imprinted bird requires more attention.

 

[BelovedBirds]

Imprint on human geese will not breed, but as a pet-no problem; imprinting just strengthens the bonds between the gosling and owner. An imprinted bird requires more attention.

this is true
my ducks imprinted on me, and are still quite needy. I wouldn't change a thing though, nothing beats that kind of bond!

 

[felys]

Imprint on human geese will not breed, but as a pet-no problem; imprinting just strengthens the bonds between the gosling and owner. An imprinted bird requires more attention.

Our Muscovy Duck hatched and we had hoped that the duck would be Sherlock's friend.

But both of them don't get along . Sherlock would pick on the duck. Sherlock the goose is about 3 times Watson's (the duck) size and we dare not leave them together alone in the same brooder cage. The photo doesn't really show the size difference. They only spend time together when we are there to supervise. Anyway, we are keeping them as pets.

Maybe the imprint will stop the Muscovy from flying off when it's older. We have 7ft fence around the garden but I doubt that would stop it if it wanted to fly.

 

[nchls school]

Our Muscovy Duck hatched and we had hoped that the duck would be Sherlock's friend.

But both of them don't get along . Sherlock would pick on the duck. Sherlock the goose is about 3 times Watson's (the duck) size and we dare not leave them together alone in the same brooder cage. The photo doesn't really show the size difference. They only spend time together when we are there to supervise. Anyway, we are keeping them as pets.

Maybe the imprint will stop the Muscovy from flying off when it's older. We have 7ft fence around the garden but I doubt that would stop it if it wanted to fly.

Birds bully regardless of age, but I doubt any real harm would be done by such a young gosling/duckling. I willing to bet that the two will become fast friends in a short time. I have often seen people posting of their muscovys flying out and away. None of mine have ever done that. Have you considered pinioning the muscovy?

 

[BelovedBirds]

Our Muscovy Duck hatched and we had hoped that the duck would be Sherlock's friend.

But both of them don't get along . Sherlock would pick on the duck. Sherlock the goose is about 3 times Watson's (the duck) size and we dare not leave them together alone in the same brooder cage. The photo doesn't really show the size difference. They only spend time together when we are there to supervise. Anyway, we are keeping them as pets.

Maybe the imprint will stop the Muscovy from flying off when it's older. We have 7ft fence around the garden but I doubt that would stop it if it wanted to fly.

Please do not pinion the muscovy, you could keep him in a covered pen, or clip his wings if you are that worried- but ultimately that would make him more of a target to predators. I've heard of plenty of flighted ducks and muscovies staying regardless of flight, as long as they're content at home- but there's no real guarantee. Just worth looking into humane options!

 

[nchls school]

I'm not a fan of pinioning birds as it can and does put them at a disadvantage with predators. Under some circumstances pinioning is humane. I've a call duck who had one wing badly misshapened and got caught up in everything to the point of being a danger to the duck. We pinioned him and he's doing a lot better now. Overall, not a good thing to pinion a bird, but a person does need to consider their own unique situation and what's best for their animals.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I'm not a fan of pinioning birds as it can and does put them at a disadvantage with predators. Under some circumstances pinioning is humane. I've a call duck who had one wing badly misshapened and got caught up in everything to the point of being a danger to the duck. We pinioned him and he's doing a lot better now. Overall, not a good thing to pinion a bird, but a person does need to consider their own unique situation and what's best for their animals.

if it is done due to deforminity then its in the birds interests, but making them a target for predators and hurting them in a horrific way can't be seen as in their best interests- Simply clipping wings would be more humane, especially for a hand raised bird which can be handled without too much stress.
Not trying to start an argument, we can agree to disagree, I just want to offer OP a different perspective and other options

 

[nchls school]

if it is done due to deforminity then its in the birds interests, but making them a target for predators and hurting them in a horrific way can't be seen as in their best interests- Simply clipping wings would be more humane, especially for a hand raised bird which can be handled without too much stress.
Not trying to start an argument, we can agree to disagree, I just want to offer OP a different perspective and other options

No argument here as we basically agree.