Gosling weakness

[EllieDoodle]

I have a month old gosling who has weak legs, a stiff-walking gait, and slow wing development. She also has a rapid heart beat (compared with other goslings her age) and limited overall strength. She is significantly smaller than her same-hatch-date sibling, but shares about the same respiratory rate as the other goslings. She eats very well, is plenty fat, grooms herself, can swim, and stays with the others in the flock. Though when walking, she lags behind even when short-distance walking is required. Any ideas? Does this fit the clinical picture of some genetic or other defined disease??

 

[Oregon Blues]

My first thought on weak legs in waterfowl is always niacin deficiency. You could try a niacin supplement and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[NanaKat]

I ground up Brewer's Yeast tablets that I bought t Walmart and sprinkled it on the feed each morning and evening. Both my girls improved. Hope it's just a niacin deficiency.

 

[EllieDoodle]

Thanks for the thoughts! I'll give niacin a try. She is VERY sweet and deserves some TLC!!

 

[Nyssa03]

Hi - I was looking for any information about extra small goslings--- this little one was hatched one day after her two siblings and is only about half their size, she seems to be doing well otherwise. They are on pasture with their parents, but have constant access to food and water. She is very active, but just very small. I do add brewer's yeast to their food. thanks for any ideas.

 

[flockman]

When I received my goslings one was much smaller than the others but was bigger than the pekin ducks I received with the geese. The little gosling seemed healthy just small. At one week the pekins were the same size. By 3 weeks he was much bigger than ducks but still smaller than the other geese. Now he is much bigger than the female who seemed enormous to him. The geese are now 15 weeks old.

 

[flockman]

Boris is the little gosling on the left by the food at 4 days old. Natasha is the big one in the middle.


Now Natasha on the left and Boris on the right.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Boris is the little gosling on the left by the food at 4 days old. Natasha is the big one in the middle.


Now Natasha on the left and Boris on the right.

They look great too.

 

[flockman]

Thanks Miss Lydia! I am a little partial because they are mine. They are a little better looking now. Their lobes are developing and their feathers are now a little darker after finishing this molt.