Gosling Questions (New to Geese)

[Khota]

Got a container and that works pretty well, has a towel at the bottom for him to sleep on - though even then he still manages to flip every few hours. I'll try and find something soft I can use for a brace - but his head is definately the reason he keeps flipping over every time he attempts to stand.

Sadly I don't have any, currently all I have is adult ducks and I have't managed to find any other young ducklings/goslings to keep with him. I originally had 4 eggs and Momo was the only one that hatched out of the bunch even though the plan was for him to have some siblings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well you'll just have to keep encouraging him to eat and drink.

That is good you have found a way to keep him upright most of the time. Having a head tilt probably keeps him off balance for sure.

If you can keep him going till the PND gets there hopefully that will help a lot. I sure hope so.

Please update when you can♥

 

[Khota]

My mom is a vet tech (Though for some reason no one takes geese around here!) and she asked a co-worker who has silkies about the problem (Apparently she has to force feed the chicks that show up with this too so it makes me feel better that it's not an uncommon issue but is something that can be fixed) so she's going to go pick up some Poly Vi Sol (no iron) and baby parrot feed?
He just pooped on me and I can't say I've been so happy to have something poop on me before - that means at least some of the egg yolk didnt end up on me and at least made it in his mouth! It just worries me that he certainly doesnt poop as much as ducklings i've raised and I've heard geese normally poop twice as much. (Though I'm putting this towards the fact that he doesnt eat unless I make him.)
Right now I have Momo in a cup standing up, I don't want his leg strength to deteriorate from lack of use so I think I'll keep him standing for a few minutes at a time throughout the day.
He's also started to take towards water more! He'll take multiple drinks on his own if I dip his bill though he still will throw a small tantrum if I try and get him to eat.

Thank you for all the help and encouragement Miss Lydia, I really appreciate it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Awesome and yes I know Poly Vi sol is one used and I am sorry I didn't mention it I just like to keep it to species appropriate which to me is the Nutri Drench.

That is great he is beginning to take an interest in water hopefully food will come next.

Are you going to tube feed him? if not and plan on using a syringe to get food into him just be careful so it doesn't go into the air sacs instead of down the right way. In other words make sure it goes into the right hole back of his throat. maybe someone there can show you.

You could also try some really nice warm water and put him into it let him kick around for about 5 mins take him out pat dry and back under heat lamp. That is another way to strengthen legs. Always stay right with them when in water.

 

[Khota]

No worries at all, you've been a great help!

I'm not really sure how I would tube feed him, neither do i have the equipment to do so. So far i've just been waiting for him to open his bill and have been squirting very small amounts of liquified food into his mouth and waiting for him to swallow as I don't want him to aspirate.

I tried getting him into water yesterday whenever he needed a bath (he had a bit of egg yolk sticking to him because i had been feeding him some) and he can't hold his head up well enough to swim and just falls over entirely. I tried holding him up for him to kick his legs around and he just sat there without moving so I just dried him off. Though he did drink a bit of the water when I did it! He also preens himself, not very well, but he's trying!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay well let him get stronger before water then.

Sounds like your doing well with what you have.

Thanks for keeping me updated I am praying he will begin to do well and eating is a big part of it.

Yay for Poops!! and preening.

 

[Khota]

I got Momo to eat some vitamins through some water and eat two bites of food - though now I can't get him to sit still at all. I'm scared he'll roll over and suffocate himself because of how his bill is positioned whenever he flips over onto his back. Is there anything I can do about this? The container is no longer working (It's not even that big of a space yet he still manages to get onto his back) and he's been at this for about an hour now and I've constantly been flipping him over right side up. I'm glad he's suddenly so energetic but I don't want him to get stuck like that and suffocate if I happen to walk away for a while.

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you try putting him into a donut shaped towel he manages to flip out of it? Supporting him somehow?
Maybe put him into something larger so he can move his head around if he does flip when your not there.
I wish I knew what to tell you, might need to have him sleep in something next to your bed so you can check on him often.

 

[Khota]

The donut shaped towel is what I had originally tried and he pushes himself out of it then flips over. He has the strength to stand up but falls over due to his neck and cant get back up until i flip him over. It doesnt seem to matter what he's in because he tucks his face under himself whenever he falls onto his back regardless of the amount of space. Is it okay for him to sleep on his back?

 

[Miss Lydia]

How is your lil one doing today?

Found some info for you
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-way-back-to-his-back-staryed-today.1191587/

Some info on what to use for wry neck

@Khoda