Gosling Adoption by Geese Question

[Farmer Doc]

we have an adult pair of Chinese geese and have hatched 5 goslings. I have read they will probably adopt the 3 week old babies; however, they share a night pen with 2 ducks and a half-acre pasture with some chickens and 2 roosters.

Will any of that pose a threat to the goslings?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not once the geese accept the goslings but until they do keep the goslings safe form the other birds. You'll have to start letting the adults see the gosling often during the day with supervision then after the geese are showing signs of accepting them as their own the geese will protect the goslings from the rest of the flock.

 

[Farmer Doc]

Thanks. Are there any signs in particular to look for that shows they have accepted them?

 

[Iain Utah]

I make a small pen for goslings inside of adult area. The biggest sign of adoption is when the adults (especially ganders) start guarding goslings. It usually does not take longer than a few days.

 

[Farmer Doc]

We were thinking about the small pen idea to give everyone a chance to "meet" them. We should be able to put something together.

 

[Farmer Doc]

Ok, so I finally got the goslings into a pen in the pasture with the adult geese. As soon as I let them out they stayed right by the pen! In addition when the curious cows came over the gander literally ran them off!! Safe to say those are good signs? If this continues should I just let them out of the pen? The goslings are about 5 weeks old. Chickens were not curious about the new arrivals at all...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Try it while your able to watch for a while. Just to make sure all goes well.

 

[Iain Utah]

Sounds like a great sign. FYI, adults often put goslings head in mouth as a way of getting to know the babies, and teaching them to follow adults, much like a mother cat will pick up baby by nape of neck. The babies may react to this, but it is normal.

 

[Farmer Doc]

Sounds like a great sign. FYI, adults often put goslings head in mouth as a way of getting to know the babies, and teaching them to follow adults, much like a mother cat will pick up baby by nape of neck. The babies may react to this, but it is normal.

Good to know to say the least! The gander and I have a tenuous relationship so I may not have reacted kindly if it didn't look like a "natural" thing. Thank you.

 

[Farmer Doc]

So the male did great when we let them out of their pen. Seemingly wants to show them the ropes. The female on the other hand took little interest and appeared jealous. Biting their wings and backs. Evening going around the gaggle to bite one in particular (the smallest one). A number of bites elicited painful squeals from the goslings. They are back in their pen.

Could she be jealous? Just not ready yet? Or is this normal behavior?