Introduction

[Howdy Pilgrim]

Hi all, just a quick note to say hello, and also thank you to Pete55 for his fantastic guide:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/491013/goose-incubation-hatching-guide-completed


Thanks to you Pete, 4 weeks ago our first ever gosling pets hatched, Sunny and Charlie. I couldn't believe how we managed to hatch these two little Pilgrims in a home made incubator, but with your guide and some luck on board, we did!




One question though, if I may be so bold. I'm currently feeding them on Duck and Goose starter crumbs (and letting them graze on grass for short periods of time when the weather permits, which is not often), but I'm conscious that maybe the crumbs will be providing too much protein (they're huge now!). At 4 weeks, should I be changing to a different feed? They will eventually be grazing all day once they're feathered but in the mean time, I need a substitute.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Will.

 

[RURU]

Hi Will. I am not sure if this goes for all geese but with our sebastopols we feed growth starter food for three weeks and then start changing them over to adult feed a little at a time like 20% new food to 80% and each day change 10% more until the are totally on adult feed.
You can also feed your goslings romaine lettuce, kale, turnip greens, cabbage, apples cute up, grapes, peas, a little corn, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, hard boiled eggs, berries. I just try something with them if they like it they will eat it. If not they will taste it and tell you I do not like this. YUCK!

Now this may be different for you goslings. So I hope some other members chime in and let you know how they feed their goslings.

Good Luck and so glad to see you used Pete's guide he is awesome at what he does!!!!

 

[Howdy Pilgrim]

Thanks Ruru. So when you say adult feed, is it layers pellets that youre referring to? This is the part I'm confused by. Its all new to me.

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks Ruru. So when you say adult feed, is it layers pellets that youre referring to? This is the part I'm confused by. Its all new to me.

Thanks!

Can you buy an All Flock feed over there? best ever then you don't have to worry about switching them over to different feeds at different ages. just make sure they get plenty of grazing time to help cut the protein down a notch. Also Layer shouldn't be feed till they start to lay, but since I have young and old eating the same feed I just use the all flock and put out oyster shells for my layers. Those are some lil cuties you have there, Congrats on the hatch, and

 

[RURU]

As Miss Lydia says a good All flock feed or a good Waterfowl adult feed. Sorry forgot to say this. But grass is the best for them but a good feed is also required for them.

 

[Howdy Pilgrim]

Thanks very much guys. Yea, I dont think All Flock feed is available in the UK. I'll try and find an adult feed. The crumbs that theyre eating at the moment are 18.5% protein, and theyre in front of the goslings all the time because they're not getting much chance to graze. I just stood outside with them for about an hour earlier and they munched constantly whilst out there haha. I think 18.5% is a little high. Maybe 15% would be more appropriate. I think theres a feed I can buy here thats called grower and finisher pellets or something, and I think its about 15% so unless someone gives me a better choice I'll buy that.

Thanks very much for the help ;-)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks very much guys. Yea, I dont think All Flock feed is available in the UK. I'll try and find an adult feed. The crumbs that theyre eating at the moment are 18.5% protein, and theyre in front of the goslings all the time because they're not getting much chance to graze. I just stood outside with them for about an hour earlier and they munched constantly whilst out there haha. I think 18.5% is a little high. Maybe 15% would be more appropriate. I think theres a feed I can buy here thats called grower and finisher pellets or something, and I think its about 15% so unless someone gives me a better choice I'll buy that.

Thanks very much for the help ;-)

Don't forget to post pics as they grow.

which is so fast it's mind blowing.

 

[RugenerGooser]

Welcome, Howdy Pilgrim!

January

 

[pete55]

Hi there and pleased the Incubation Guide helped you

Pete

 

[Howdy Pilgrim]

Don't forget to post pics as they grow.

which is so fast it's mind blowing.

Here you go




One quick question though... I live in an old sandstone block house, and my new arrivals seem to have taken a slight liking to eating the house haha. I presume they're finding therapy in actually having to fight for their grit, instead of eating it from a bowl.. Is there anything I can provide for them, such as cuttlefish or similar, that would help pacify this urge? I'm thinking of something where they have to actually peck the grit / sand off.

Thanks in advance