gosling swallowing motion?

[zydrate]

heres a before and after pic after I gave them a warm bath and blow dryer fluff. only a few enjoyed the bath and tried to clean themself, the others were just confused, and of course the hair dryer noise scared them at first, but they all quickly started fluffing and cleaning when they realized it wasnt a danger. some still have some dirty spots, but my main concern was their belly/butts getting clean so they wouldnt have any issues down there with infections or poo buildup, though I'm not sure if that's something that happens in waterfowl chicks, I've never had any have that problem, only chickens, but either way, better safe than sorry.

and for anyone who might see this and is a first time owning ducklings/goslings, I really dont reccomend baths this young unless absolutely necessary. I felt it necessary since their undersides were soaked and filthy, but in general it's best to wait till at least a week old, preferably two weeks old, before letting them in bath/water. and if you have to bathe them this young, definitely use warm water and a hair dryer, but dont leave it in one spot, you dont want to burn them, and help fluff with a cloth. getting dry asap is important. sorry, I just wanted to put that out there in case anyone new sees it, I dont want anyone accidently chilling their babies because of me.

oh and the mess in the first pic? that's from ONE day. I seriously dont know how they're so messy, but I've never had this many geese at once. I assumed theyd be like ducklings, but I've never had to give the ducklings an early bath like this(only a couple like manny for enjoyment, not cleanliness) I'm sorry if I ramble too much.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I never got an alert for this thread. You need to get them into a large brooder. A kiddy pool works great for this. Give them plenty of room to run around. I don't know what to tell you about them making such a mess I have only had 2 goslings at a time. What are you using for feed and water bowls?

 

[zydrate]

dog dishes currently, the kind that cant be tipped over.(in the pic that's an ashtray I was using for their food, since the other bowl was too big at the time)I do think it's a case of just too many in one space since I didnt have this issue with the 5 and less groups. I honestly didnt want 10, but that was the min order allowed. I've decided I'll be selling a few when they're older. I'm working on setting up a bigger space for them for night, no kiddie pool yet as they get soaked and cold too easily. they already spend the day out in a grassy pen, theyre only in the tote for nighttime, and they get that messy just overnight, it's such a chore
the only issue is I fear moving them into a larger nighttime cage because its outside and I'm terrified something with try to break in and eat them. weve had snakes, rats and possums break into cages before, it hasn't happened for quite a long time now, though that may be due to the lack of raising any for years. I'm sorry I ramble, I appreciate the reply and will be taking the advice of moving them to a bigger space.

the silver bowl in this pic is one of their two dishes that go in their nighttime tote, and the area is where I keep them during the day so they have space to run around. the pic is also after id given them a bath again yesterday so they look clean and fluffy. today, not so much.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That looks like a nice area for daytime. As far as outside what type of cages are you talking about can you post a pic? Hardware cloth is the most secure wire you can buy. Will they have a goose house?

 

[zydrate]

their night cage is honestly not a great setup and I'm ashamed of it, I want better for them but it's all I currently have. it's an old wire/wood brooder, still too small for all of them, but its bigger than previous. I'm going to have to build them a bigger night space. I wasnt prepared for this many after so long, really should have put more thought into it, I think I was too impulsive because I didnt want my goose to be lonely after his mate died.

I'm trying to build a new pen for them with a little pond and a secure nesting house. we plan on demolishing the old pen/house that's been here 25+ years. I'm sorry for the late reply, I'm not doing very good.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Are you keeping them inside now? I’m sorry if your feeling over whelmed by it all. I hope maybe you can ask someone you know with some carpentry skills if they can help you it doesn’t have to be fancy just safe They are so precious I’d hate for something to get them.

 

[zydrate]

no they arent inside house, but they're inside the old pen in a cage with a heatlamp, for nighttime only, daytime they get to be in the grass. I feel its secure enough, it's just too small

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope soon you can get them into a bigger housing area.

 

[zydrate]

yes I moved them into a much larger cage a few days ago, I havnt measured it, but I think it's at least 6 by 6 feet, I think they're happy with the larger space. I just wish I could put the 5 ducklings in with them, but several of the goslings are.. quite mean and try to fight with them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They can be like school ground bullies for sure. That’s good you were able to move them into a larger area. Pics when you can!