Goslings - forage only???

[GoodEgg]

Hello,

Hoping someone can answer this. I put my goslings (from 4/4) out first thing in the morning, and bring them in as it's getting dark.

The LOVE to forage, and rip apart grasses and weeds all day. They are in a temp pen that's about 12 x 14 and I have to move the pen every 2-3 days because they decimate everything growing there.

The part that worries me is that I can't interest them in their feed anymore? They ate a 10# bag in the first couple of weeks, but now I can't get them to eat a few ounces a day. I keep feed available all the time, but they just aren't interested. I can get them to eat a little bit if I bring them out of the pen and sit right by them with the bowl, but they'd still rather eat grasses and weeds.

I just want to know if this is alright? We have a very wide variety of plants growing in some parts of the yard, and I keep them on those areas. They always have some grass, and then a variety of weeds. They have their favorites (most of which I don't know the names of) but they will eat ANYthing that grows.

Just wanna make sure their nutrition is ok ... they are active and happy and settle well at night (as long as they don't hear me talk ... then I have to go over and "visit" so they will go back to sleep).

And can they go all night (darkness hours only ... from about 8:30 pm until 6:30 am) without food or water, and sleep?

Thanks!

trish

 

[farmertank]

Them eating less feed and more weeds and grass is fine.

keep offering them food, but they will get what they need from the weeds. Geese eat alot and I mean alot of weeds, that is why some people get them just for keeping the weeds under control.

as long as they are healthy looking and acting good I wouldn't worry about it.
and they will love treats like bread,tomatoes, and cucmbers. Oh and mine love apples.

When they get older you will hardly ever see them eat feed unless it's winter and grass is scarce.

I hope this helps.

 

[MissPrissy]

Geese are grazers and being pastured and allowed to graze is wonderful for them. Since pasturing mine they rarely eat feed.

 

[GoodEgg]

Thank you so much!

I was just worried about the little guys. They eat so constantly on the grass and weeds I was afraid they were too hungry, but they DO settle and nap a few times a day. And they just aren't very interested in food.

I think this second 10# bag of starter will do me until they are long done with starter! (Now if I can just keep the DOG out of it

)

Thanks again!

trish

 

[greyfields]

Geese can and will get by on grass alone, except for the following:

a) In the first 30 days they should get a chick starter to get them off to a good start

b) During the winter months, when your grass is dormant, it will contain very little nutrition and they should be supplemented then

c) If you plan to breed, then you want to supplement to ensure your hens have adequate nutrition to support egg laying

 

[farmertank]

your welcome GoodEgg.

It's always a relief when someone puts your fears to rest. If your anything like me, my birds are like my children and I get somewhat over protective and worried