Goose Limping

[plantcityhomestead]

One of my 10 week old Pomeranians started limping this afternoon. He is a large male and has a foot injury on the opposite leg that he has had since I got him. The foot injury has not slowed him down. It looks like he got the foot caught in something. The web is torn and his nail is black. He may have fallen into one of the dog holes, as the geese were checking out the dog kennel this afternoon. It is not hot or swollen, so I left him with the flock this evening, as they usually just lie around in the yard in the late afternoon and evening until I bring out their evening meal. He appears to have a mild sprain, no broken bones. His hip may be the source of the limp, as I could find nothing wrong with his leg.

My Embden goose who is just over a year old stayed right next to him all afternoon. She has been such a good mom to the goslings. I am really loving having a goose family.

They are at the age that I really want him out using his wings and moving around to get strength, so I am at a quandry about what to do if he is not better in the morning. I have 2 options for confinement, a 4x8 dog kennel, where I could put in another goose, or a rabbit hutch where he could not move around as much, and would be forced to rest his leg. If any of the goslings are separated from the gaggle they scream like crazy until they are all together again. I am thinking about putting him in the dog kennel with the Embden goose. The gander will keep an eye on the goslings, but I am afraid they will all just hang around the dog kennel all day.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

cindy

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Cindy limiting his movement for a few days to rest and recover is a good idea. A buddy to keep him calm and something to swim in will help with the resting as well.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

He was still limping when I let the geese out this morning, so it looks like he is on bed rest. Do you think he would be better housed with one of the other goslings or the older goose? At least the long grass will get a trim if he is confined to one area for a few days.

cindy

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Either will work as long as he has company. They stress more being alone.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

I totally agree Celtic Oaks. I was second guessing myself because I know he will be more active with a buddy in the pen with him. He is such a sweetie. He hasn't objected one time when I have had to handle him to check him out. If I had done that with one of the girls, she would have been fighting me all the way. I don't know why ganders have such a bad reputation. They are so much easier than the females most of the year. At least that has been true with my geese. I don't know if it is true with all breeds.

cindy

 

[plantcityhomestead]

I have the gosling in the dog pen with a buddy. The rest of the family will not leave their side, even though the good grass is on the other side of the yard.



I let him out for a litle while yesterday for the evening grazing time because they usually just stay in one area. Mom and Dad Embden did something I have never seen before. They separated the goslings. I don't know if they were trying to separate the rowdy kids from the injured gosling, but I thought it was interesting.

 

[elsfieldchickens]

what good parants!