Gosling seem thin

[jdywntr]

I have been rounding up everyone over the last few days and marking them with bands before they get too similar to tell apart.
Today, I rounded up the last gosling, a 13 week old African. This gosling also ripped off a toenail a few days ago so I wanted to get a good look at the toe.

When I picked him up, he seemed kind of thin. It is losing a lot of feathers (looks much worse than it's hatch mate) I did read somewhere that geese get new feathers at several different ages when young so I wasn't too concerned about the feather loss. But having a good amount of contact with it a few days ago to clean it's toe, it seems to be thin.

It does not look thin just on a visual but I could feel the breast bone somewhat distinctly. Since it's injury, he had a little limp and is slower than the others but seems to be improving every day. It is eating (Flock Raiser mixed with grains) and acting normal in every other way. I just don't recall it feeling so thin.

Suggestions? And is the feather loss normal at this age?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

is it last to the feed pan with not much left? if so you may want to use more than 2 feed pans spread apart so everyone has a chance to get to the feed.

 

[jdywntr]

No, the geese get a feed pan to themselves (with an occasional duck or chicken snacking too) They are always the first there and I have not seen any of the geese bullying other geese (just ducks or chickens) away from the bowls.

 

[Iain Utah]

His appetite may have been affected from being hurt and separated from his group. Like all animals (horses, dogs, humans, etc.), when geese are not feeling well and/or are depressed, they don't have their normal appetite.

However, if you are feeding 5 goslings from the same feed pan, there may be a pecking order among them that you are not seeing. Try feeding them from 2 pans.

 

[jdywntr]

I actually stood and watched them at feeding time today. There isn't a pecking order for food (yet, unless you are a chicken) he ate as greedily as the others. I have only been feeding everyone once a day to encourage foraging. Maybe later I'll take this little one some extra feed. I'm only concerned because this is the smallest of the goslings. There is only 2 weeks difference between them, the oldest is a chinese, all of the africans are bigger or the same size of the chinese now except this one. It also seems to be going through a harder time replacing feathers, which I know is affected by nutrition.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I actually stood and watched them at feeding time today. There isn't a pecking order for food (yet, unless you are a chicken) he ate as greedily as the others. I have only been feeding everyone once a day to encourage foraging. Maybe later I'll take this little one some extra feed. I'm only concerned because this is the smallest of the goslings. There is only 2 weeks difference between them, the oldest is a chinese, all of the africans are bigger or the same size of the chinese now except this one. It also seems to be going through a harder time replacing feathers, which I know is affected by nutrition.

Can you get some Poultry Nutri drench and add it to their water? it would actually be good for all the flock.

 

[jdywntr]

Thanks Miss Lydia. I'll look into it and see if my local TSC carries it. I looked at their website and I don't recall ever seeing it but they are out of alot of things, alot of the time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Miss Lydia. I'll look into it and see if my local TSC carries it. I looked at their website and I don't recall ever seeing it but they are out of alot of things, alot of the time.

you can order on line I buy it by the quart lasts longer that way.

 

[jdywntr]

you can order on line I buy it by the quart lasts longer that way.

I will search for it. Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I will search for it. Thanks!

I'm thinking I ordered from Twin City Poultry the last time I ordered it,.