Gosling wetting its neck

[btm]

We got our first two goslings about 10 days ago in the mail, and about 50 chicks a couple of days later. We have had many chicks in the past but these are our first goslings.

One of them has had a very wet neck most of the time. We've seen her rubbing it, but we also saw the other gosling peck at it. So we split them into separate areas, but the gosling still seems to rub its own neck, getting it wet.

Is it just bothering her from being pecked at? She acts fine in every other way, moves around fine, moves her neck fine. Thoughts?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What are you using for a waterer? Can you share a picture? I probably wouldn't separate the two unless you are seeing something real bad.

 

[btm]

That tank has 2 gallon metal water in it right now. We couldn't find most of our small feeders and waterers this spring and everyone is sold out around here

Her neck is way better today than it has been. It doesnt seem to bother her. I had her in my lap for 30 minutes tonight and she didn't react particularly when I rubbed any part of her neck with my finger. It had been her entire neck front and back being wet.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are you planning on keeping them with the chicks long term? The geese will squish them, and get the chicks damp.

It's possible it's trying to dip it's whole head and neck in the waterer, and getting the feathers wet.

I used a covered cool whip container and cut holes out of the top for my gosling to drink out of.

 

[btm]

We've seen it pull its beak in and rub its neck in a way that seemed directly related. When it was worse, it was the whole neck. It would have been a trick for it to get the neck wet all the way around but not the top of its head.

We've got a small chicken tractor we will move the goslings to soon. Weather here in Maine has been a bit absurd lately. Winter may have been finally defeated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It just warmed up here in Wisconsin, so hopefully this warmer weather is heading your way next.