How about a Thread for Embdens?

[goosiemama]

Just out of interest, do you think it´s the Brewer´s Yeast or the glucosamine that helps her the most? Is she an old goose? I can´t remember her story. She´ll show the usual symptoms if she is actually deficient in Niacin, but glucosamine will help her if she has joint lubrication problems.

And yes, I live in São Paulo state, a couple of hours north of São Paulo city. Not too hot, not too cold. And plenty of space for birds.

Hi livininbrazil. Sorry to have taken so long to answer--crazy busy with work besides the holidays.
My vet and friends who know geese estimate Francis to be between 15 and 20 years old--so yes, quite elderly, but very happy!
OK, so what I did is found out that the brewers yeast I am giving has .3 mg of niacin per 2 tabs. I give about 5, so that would be 1.5 mg. I looked for safe levels of niacin in geese and found that 1 to 2 grams is the safe level. Since I'm giving 1.5 mg dosage, plus whatever she gets from her food and foraging, I doubt I'm giving anywhere near the "safe dosage or unsafe dosage." Also, the brewers yeast has other vitamins in it. I did do a little experiment and only gave glucosamine for 3 days--no brewers yeast, and she was pretty much sitting all the time again, so I think she needs both. I know her joints are less swollen with the glucosamine. I think she probably was not very well nourished growing up, since she also has deformed feet. Yes, she really is a special needs goose, and just the sweetest bird on earth, so I try to do everything I can to make her comfortable. Thank you so much for your concern and comments. I really appreciate your thoughts and this website in general-- So much good information, and so many people with common interests.

I have a friend in the city of Sao Paulo. Hope to visit her some day. Her family goes to the beach at Christmas--we took her skiing when she was in the US, but she really liked looking at the snow out the window much better than getting out in it!
Thanks again

 

[goosiemama]

Goosiemama, my vet says that too much niacin can cause problems, so yes.... you can give them too much of that supplement. Not sure on glucosamine. But have you tried fish oil? I am sure my vet would recommend tapering off the glucosamine and adding fish oil. He seriously swears that fish oil is the wonder supplement for geese with arthritis.

Brandi, you can get brewer's yeast, fish oil and glucosamine from a human nutrition store, but Metacam is prescription only.

Thank you, lain Utah. I wrote to livininbrazil about what I am giving. my tabs must be kind of mini--they are in mg not grams, and I did a little experiment to see how she did without it--not so good. Yes, I also give fish oil. Also, re the metacam--that is what Francis was on for a week, but I think it can be kind of hard on the liver and kidneys, so I'm with you--keep them on more natural supplements as much as possible. Of course, when they hurt, they need it. Sure hope Brandi's birds aren't frostbitten!

 

[brandilly]

Thank you, lain Utah. I wrote to livininbrazil about what I am giving. my tabs must be kind of mini--they are in mg not grams, and I did a little experiment to see how she did without it--not so good. Yes, I also give fish oil. Also, re the metacam--that is what Francis was on for a week, but I think it can be kind of hard on the liver and kidneys, so I'm with you--keep them on more natural supplements as much as possible. Of course, when they hurt, they need it. Sure hope Brandi's birds aren't frostbitten!

No frostbite here! I think we just had a sudden cold snap and standing on icy snow and ice around their water bowl was too much for Petunia. Since this is my first winter with The Flock, it's a real learning experience and I try to stay on top of the curve. I should have researched/planned better regarding nutrition. I don't think they were necessarily deficient but I should have known to boost the vitamins the minute the snow hit the ground. We went from above freezing at the coldest to single digits and low teens at the highest just like that. Now we are back up and I am all prepared for the next round, should it come! Thanks to everyone that gave suggestions! This truly is the best website around, both for information and just all around great people!

 

[livininbrazil]

Hi livininbrazil. Sorry to have taken so long to answer--crazy busy with work besides the holidays.
My vet and friends who know geese estimate Francis to be between 15 and 20 years old--so yes, quite elderly, but very happy!
OK, so what I did is found out that the brewers yeast I am giving has .3 mg of niacin per 2 tabs. I give about 5, so that would be 1.5 mg. I looked for safe levels of niacin in geese and found that 1 to 2 grams is the safe level. Since I'm giving 1.5 mg dosage, plus whatever she gets from her food and foraging, I doubt I'm giving anywhere near the "safe dosage or unsafe dosage." Also, the brewers yeast has other vitamins in it. I did do a little experiment and only gave glucosamine for 3 days--no brewers yeast, and she was pretty much sitting all the time again, so I think she needs both. I know her joints are less swollen with the glucosamine. I think she probably was not very well nourished growing up, since she also has deformed feet. Yes, she really is a special needs goose, and just the sweetest bird on earth, so I try to do everything I can to make her comfortable. Thank you so much for your concern and comments. I really appreciate your thoughts and this website in general-- So much good information, and so many people with common interests.

I have a friend in the city of Sao Paulo. Hope to visit her some day. Her family goes to the beach at Christmas--we took her skiing when she was in the US, but she really liked looking at the snow out the window much better than getting out in it!
Thanks again

Hey goosiemama, very good research. You´re fast becoming a goose-doc! Your old gal is in the best hands!

Re: your friend in São Paulo.....

just about everyone goes to the beach at Christmas. The cities feel empty, it´s very strange. We went one time at Christmas, and you could hardly find a place to sit! And so hot! We now go at other times!

And funny about your friend in the snow...people here can´t imagine here how cold it is. They call it cold here when it´s 16ºC (about 60F?)

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

Hi everybody, I just love geese =) I was wondering if any embden keepers in or near California would have hatching eggs available between now and mid spring? Thanks. Love all the pics, those Africans are gorgeoues

 

[brandilly]

SOMEBODY had fun today! My theory... leading the other heathens in a rain dance!

 

[Miss Lydia]

SOMEBODY had fun today! My theory... leading the other heathens in a rain dance!

Looks like someone was playing in the mud. everything looks so clean except the smudge on the face.

 

[RURU]

Where there are mud puddles their are geese to make sure to play in them!!!!

 

[brandilly]

Soot... we had a bonfire last night and I'm guessing Nosey Parker here was noodlin around in the popped wood. No one else bothers but Petunia is the busybody that HAS to check out foreign things in HER domain... goose law, I'd bet. It was sprinklin at the time though so maybe she's onto something. Then again, as I live in the Great Pacific Northwest, could be a coincidence. But I doubt it, poweful juju resides in my Goose...

 

[livininbrazil]

My birds love to poke about in the ashes, it must have some nutrients or something for them.