Gosling pecking at feathers of another gosling

[Tivona]

I see the spot in the picture but my babies wet spot is almost an inch and a half wide... and has another on the side if I leave them together. The one pecks constantly at the other (other then stopping to eat/drink/sleep). As far as I can tell its not a dominance issue. It seems almost like a obsessive two spot grooming. But the skin below the down is getting pulled and irritated and that is what is worrying me. Currently I have them so there is some wire between them so they can still see each other but the one can't get pecked at. The long grass I put in was just a short distraction.

I like the idea of the Bag Balm. I don't have any on hand but I do have something very similar that might work. Its also grease/ mentholly.
Hopefully I can get them outside soon. With more room to play then this will stop?

Thanks everyone for all these tips. I really appreciate it. I'll keep trying to get the one to find something else to play with.

 

[bryan99705]

Quote:
G.E. I'm I correct in saying you are suggesting Styrofoam treats for goslings???
I would never allow my geese to nibble on Styrofoam!
They could possibly get crop bound or clogged up with it.

Tivona this is pretty normal behavior for goslings to do when they're
bored. I have found them to do this even with access to other things to
nibble on but its does seem to be a baby thing they outgrown.
It does help if they can be out during the day to graze on grass.

How long does it last? My wife's goose loves to sit in her lap and chew on a leather necklace cord and she's nearly full grown

 

[Cottage Rose]

Geese are OCD/neurotic nibblers...it never stops but when they get older
and they're more into each other they don't chew one you quite as much.
Now on the other hand if you put one in your lap you're gonna get gnawed on for sure!

 

[Tivona]

lol I do hold them but they don't nibble me. I must not taste any good.

 

[Tivona]

So I just thought I would update encase someone else has the same problem one day. It turns out a few days after I had posted I spotted a waxy ear on the one doing the nibbling. I carefully cleaned out a ton of ear wax (the ear had been totally packed). The next day the ear had fluid in it and the gosling was obviously not feeling well. I started Terra-vet for 10 days and with in a few days of starting the Terra-vet the gosling stopped chewing on the other. I also put a drop of oil in its ear after swabbing the moisture for a few days. Apparently it had just been trying to relieve some of its discomfort in its ear... anyway they are both doing much better and are enjoying life again.

 

[Beauhunk]

I just got six, straight run last week, and they are doing the same thing. I think that tonight when I get home that I'll try the bag balm idea and see if this might stop it.

I tried wetting the area more and it seemed to stop it for awhile but it only lasted a little while and now they are back doing it again. I have noted that they are not picky as to which ones gets pecked...they do it to all of them.

I'm thinking took that I might have more males in my straight run then females, but if I'm a good judge (which I'm probably not) I think that I have an even score 3 males and 3 females.

I plan on moving them into a larger pen this weekend and see if this will help too. Since I'm from FL the weather is pretty right now, but it does get breeze too! I'll have to watch this carefully.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I just got six, straight run last week, and they are doing the same thing. I think that tonight when I get home that I'll try the bag balm idea and see if this might stop it.

I tried wetting the area more and it seemed to stop it for awhile but it only lasted a little while and now they are back doing it again. I have noted that they are not picky as to which ones gets pecked...they do it to all of them.

I'm thinking took that I might have more males in my straight run then females, but if I'm a good judge (which I'm probably not) I think that I have an even score 3 males and 3 females.

I plan on moving them into a larger pen this weekend and see if this will help too. Since I'm from FL the weather is pretty right now, but it does get breeze too! I'll have to watch this carefully.

Boredom is major cause with goslings they need stimulation so putting safe toys in their brooder maybe get some nice sturdy parrot toys and a non breakable mirror Mine didn't do this but I was here to take them outside alot from 2 days on. Makes a difference. One of the nice perks of being retired. I like to use Blue Kote to cover any pecked places on my other birds it really hides the area. Just be careful if you get the spray it stains anything it touches. I finally found one with a dauber in it works so much better.

 

[Birdly1]

We are having the same problem, only it has gotten more severe. Our gosling's purchased together are now 6 weeks old and up to my knee already! One of them constantly had a wet spot, which I really didn't think much about. I've been noticing feathers missing on it's back. Yesterday there were two bare spots that were red. This morning they were bloody! Poor baby. They seem to get along fine as they are always together. They have been spending some quality time outside free ranging in grass and clover. In fact all day's Fri-Sun. They are locked up together in their house during the night, so this must be when it's happening. I hate to have to separate them, as we don't have another house and the one they are in is plenty big enough for the both of them. What should I do? What should I put on the injured one? I'm thinking Neosporin so it won't get infected. HELP! Thanks

Cheryl

 

[Miss Lydia]

We are having the same problem, only it has gotten more severe. Our gosling's purchased together are now 6 weeks old and up to my knee already! One of them constantly had a wet spot, which I really didn't think much about. I've been noticing feathers missing on it's back. Yesterday there were two bare spots that were red. This morning they were bloody! Poor baby. They seem to get along fine as they are always together. They have been spending some quality time outside free ranging in grass and clover. In fact all day's Fri-Sun. They are locked up together in their house during the night, so this must be when it's happening. I hate to have to separate them, as we don't have another house and the one they are in is plenty big enough for the both of them. What should I do? What should I put on the injured one? I'm thinking Neosporin so it won't get infected. HELP! Thanks

Cheryl

Go to TSC or call feed stores and see if they carry Blue Kote, best stuff in the world for disguising chewed open wounds.It will make the place purple because it has Gentian Violet in it but that is what you want no red areas. And it also helps heal. it's like once the behavior starts it's like OCD so you need to break the cycle. when they can't be outside hang some romaine where they can pick at it. Goslings need alot of stimulation they get bored easy. They are alot like toddlers. Pics when you can.

 

[sonshine15]

Boredom is major cause with goslings they need stimulation so putting safe toys in their brooder maybe get some nice sturdy parrot toys and a non breakable mirror Mine didn't do this but I was here to take them outside alot from 2 days on. Makes a difference. One of the nice perks of being retired. I like to use Blue Kote to cover any pecked places on my other birds it really hides the area. Just be careful if you get the spray it stains anything it touches. I finally found one with a dauber in it works so much better.

Omg! Glad I found this thread. DH and I have both been sick, he for 3 days, mine just started last night. In between a 102 fever and chills I heard all this commotion and the 4 of them were all attacking each other. Little buggers! Won't let go of each others wings, or biting on the back of the neck. They did it again this morning. Yesterday I put sod with weeds in there and will do so again asap. Then back to bed. Wow they can be mean!

Another odd thing...........do they always scratch their little heads/ears so much in water? They get a bath 1-2 times a day and the scratching begins.......is this normal? They're funny as heck to watch just wondering about the intense head scratching and if I should look for something

Thank you!