Injured Goose 🪿

[Crashlee12]

I am shattered!!! May dad ran over our male goose yesterday with the pickup. Yes he was driving at a very slow speed and yes he tried to stop. But the goose tried to attack the tire and somehow ended up under it. Totally not my dad’s fault. I have a love hate relationship with this little guy. He does a wonderful job at protecting his lady, but the little sneaky sneak always lurks around, trying to get the back of my thigh. So when this happened, clearly I ran to his rescue . His back/ right wing appears broken. I don’t think it’s his wing at all, I think something is happening with the back and causing the wing issue. There are bleeding, open areas above his ?-tail feathers. I’m pretty sure his preen gland was affected because it’s oily and I can pull out tiny little tufts of oily baby feathers that don’t appear to have quills. I have separated him and put him in our enclosed shop with his mate. He IS drinking. He IS pooping normal poops. But he isn’t standing or trying to walk much. He is sitting upright and calling for his mate. I have bandaged what I could, tried to prevent any kind of infection and provided a safe and secluded space for them. What else can I do? No… we do not have poultry vets in my area. Thanks!

 

[alinas2010]

Welcome to the site. So sorry about the circumstances and so sorry about your goose.

I don’t know anything about geese, but do treat him for shock since he was injured. Offer water with electrolytes and some sugar added, keep him somewhere warm, dim and quiet to recover for a bit.

Here is a guide to splinting avian fractures of the wings. I’m not sure if it’ll be super helpful since you’re not sure what is broken:

https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

Edited to add. The above link has splinting info and prognosis for more than just wing fractures, actually, you may find it helpful, after all. There is a small section about spinal fracture prognosis and although it is grim, it might give you an idea of if his spine is injured.

If you have open wounds, rinse with saline and spray with a wound spray such as Vetericyn. I think you can then pack the wounds with an ointment such as neosporin without pain relief in it - that is the protocol for chickens, I assume it is similar for geese, but hopefully one of the tagged can confirm.

Maybe @Goosebaby or @oldhenlikesdogs can offer some advice if you can post some pictures. I think they both have experience with injured geese.

 

[Goosebaby]

How is he doing now?

Is getting him seen by a vet an option?

Is he able to move his feet or wing at all? Is he able to move his tail?


If you can gently apply pressure to his feet and see if he tries to pull them away or move his toes at all.

 

[Crashlee12]

I did all the things above, but sadly I had to take him in to be euthanized. It took over a week to find a vet in AL that sees birds and by that time he had declined too far. But thank you all for your well wishes and wonderful advice! I will keep this for any injuries in the future (hopefully none). I loved this little guy SO much!!!! Oh he was such a menace, but also the whole personality of our farm. We are in the process of finding my lady a new suitor. I really appreciate all of your help

 

[alinas2010]

I did all the things above, but sadly I had to take him in to be euthanized. It took over a week to find a vet in AL that sees birds and by that time he had declined too far. But thank you all for your well wishes and wonderful advice! I will keep this for any injuries in the future (hopefully none). I loved this little guy SO much!!!! Oh he was such a menace, but also the whole personality of our farm. We are in the process of finding my lady a new suitor. I really appreciate all of your help

Thank you for coming back to update us, we often wonder what happens. I’m so sorry to hear that, though. I hope you can find some comfort in the memories and photos you have of him. Feel free to share with us if you want. What was his name?

Make yourself at home here on the site and do come back for any and all poultry needs or just to delight in sharing your love of your feathered friends

 

[Goosebaby]

I did all the things above, but sadly I had to take him in to be euthanized. It took over a week to find a vet in AL that sees birds and by that time he had declined too far. But thank you all for your well wishes and wonderful advice! I will keep this for any injuries in the future (hopefully none). I loved this little guy SO much!!!! Oh he was such a menace, but also the whole personality of our farm. We are in the process of finding my lady a new suitor. I really appreciate all of your help

I’m so sorry for your loss!