Gussie is all alone, but I'm not sure how to introduce goslings

[Callender Girl]

Gussie's sister vanished in January, and I know she misses Golly terribly. They spent their entire lives together, almost 8 years.

I am planning to get goslings this spring (two or three, at least) so she has other geese as company. Chickens and ducks just aren't the same for her. I've been told American Buffs tend to be great moms, but she's never been around youngsters, and I don't know how she will react.

Should I get goslings (likely Toulouse and Embdens, maybe an Egyptian -- another Buff could never replace Golly for me) ASAP and brood them indoors, then introduce them when the goslings at six or eight weeks are feathered enough to live outdoors on their own? Or, wait until later in the spring when it's much warmer and let her see them in an adjoining pen as they grow up?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always let the adults see the goslings through a fence for the first week or two while I make sure they eat well, and get the proper temperature.

After about 2 weeks they are less dependent on supplemental heat, and usually in that time one goose has decided they are hers, and I start letting her go in with them.

The goslings generally are terrified for a few days of the giant goose. Eventually they will start to follow her and seek her out. That's when I start letting them go to her. Since you only have the one female you won't need to worry about any aggression from other adult geese.

I would set up you brooder right in your goose pen if possible. I use a kiddy pool, and a fence around it, so they can't hop out. Food and water are put up on blocks, and the brooder is cleaned often. I use a heat lamp hung above.