Is this normal breathing behavior for goslings?

[Pelephant]

These three gosling have been my first experience raising these adorable little things, but I'm worried sick that there may be something wrong with them! I'm not sure what normal breathing behavior for goslings are (these three are 5 days, 3 days, and 2 days) but it seems to me that they are breathing more heavily than normal (particularly the eldest, who sleeps next to the water and drinks constantly.) I've attached a video to demonstrate (the first gosling shown in the eldest):


Apologies if the second two can't be seen very well, I woke one up on accident while filming. Also apologies for the noise in the background, my father was watching TV in the living room and the frogs outside were making a ruckus.

Is this something to worry about? Is it too hot for them? Unfortunately, I don't have an accurate thermostat on hand but I have the heat lamp about a foot and a half away from the bedding in one corner. The younger two sleep under it (as seen above) but the older one sleeps next to the water. In addition, they sometimes seem to like to sleep with one or two legs stretched out behind them.

Is this breathing normal? If not, what should I do?

Oh, I should also add that they seem normal in terms of activity and eating.

I'm so worried!

 

[Goose and Fig]

They look hot. Goslings don't need alot of heat like baby chicks do. I move mine outside without a light at 2 weeks if the weather is mild enough.  Try a 60 watt light instead, and i bet you'll see a difference right away.

 

[Winisk]

It doesn`t look or sound like normal behaviour. They look stressed. I recently raised a couple of day olds and they did not act or sound like that. Normally they huddle together and not apart like that. Do they show any playful like behaviour? Try removing the heat light. I hope someone with more knowledge chimes in to help you.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Raise the heat lamp and move it off to one side for a few hours and then see where and how they lay. If they still lay away from it, remove the heat bulb and use a high watt incandescent light bulb instead (75-90 watt). Then observe them again. If they still don't lay under it and the temperature during the day where they are kept is above 78 they probably don't even need the light/heat. If they huddle together directly under the light, you can lower it back down for them.

Also, I am going to offer some other advice since you said this was your first go round with goslings: Please ignore if you already know what I am about to tell you.

If you aren't feeding them a waterfowl starter, which I doubt you are because hardly any feed stores carry it....you need to pick up some Brewer's Yeast and add a tad to their food, especially if using chick crumbles. Geese need more Niacin than other poultry and waterfowl and can end up with leg issues without it. If you don't have a health food store locally, Amazon carries it at a decent price.

Get some grit for them and begin offering them finely chopped Romaine lettuce and grass clippings as well.

You are going to need to make them a juvenile day-time area outside. A secure fenced place with some grass if possible so they can graze and poop outside during the day. Once these little guys reach 2 weeks old the growth rate gets very fast and you will be cleaning their brooder every day. If they can go out at least a few hours a day, their brooder/cage will stay much cleaner and they will be healthier and happier to boot.

Good luck.

 

[Pelephant]

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

I tried turning the heat lamp off and shone a regular lamp, as suggested, and noticed that they huddled together when sleeping. However, they were in a corner, NOT under the lamp. Do you think this means they don't need the heat lamp?

As for playful behavior, yes, they do nibble at each other and occasionally run around flapping their little wings (adorable).

I also took them out on the freshly cut lawn and noticed that, while the younger two were fairly energetic and explored a bit, the eldest one kept laying down and panting with his bill slightly open. He'd get up and move when I touched him, but after a bit, would lie down again and pant. In addition, while he's in the box, he seems to lie down in the corner and be generally less energetic. Could he have some sort of breathing issue?

I also put some of the lawn cuttings into their box along with dandelion leaves, and they seem to be having a blast chewing at those.

For grit, I mashed up some oyster shells into smaller bits and mixed it in with the the chick starter. (Is that okay?) I'll get the Brewer's yeast and some lettuce in the next few days.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

I tried turning the heat lamp off and shone a regular lamp, as suggested, and noticed that they huddled together when sleeping. However, they were in a corner, NOT under the lamp. Do you think this means they don't need the heat lamp?

As for playful behavior, yes, they do nibble at each other and occasionally run around flapping their little wings (adorable).

I also took them out on the freshly cut lawn and noticed that, while the younger two were fairly energetic and explored a bit, the eldest one kept laying down and panting with his bill slightly open. He'd get up and move when I touched him, but after a bit, would lie down again and pant. In addition, while he's in the box, he seems to lie down in the corner and be generally less energetic. Could he have some sort of breathing issue?

I also put some of the lawn cuttings into their box along with dandelion leaves, and they seem to be having a blast chewing at those.

For grit, I mashed up some oyster shells into smaller bits and mixed it in with the the chick starter. (Is that okay?) I'll get the Brewer's yeast and some lettuce in the next few days.

Geese love to sleep together. I put two newborn goslings in with an older one with a bad leg. They went right over and cuddled up with him and used his back as a pillow.

If they were together, but not under the light they weren't cold: They were comfortable. If I were you, I'd only use the 75 watt bulb and even then only at night for about a week or so more. Like I said watch for them to huddle UNDER the light.

I don't think I would use the oyster shell: They really don't need the extra calcium unless they are hen and it is breeding season. I can't remember the exact why off the top of my head, but I do remember it is bad. You can use sand, or the bird grit most stores sell for parrots.

Malnutrition can cause geese to be very inactive, seem tired, and only want to walk if pressured. Is the older gosling slow to rise and very deliberate when walking....as if it is thinking about every step? If so, it is probably a vitamin/mineral deficiency. However, the continuous panting may be something more.

Does the older gosling's feet and bill feel warm to the touch: Warmer than the smaller ones feet and bills? If so, it may be running a fever. According to an avian vet I spoke with, a goose's internal temperature is about 99.5 and can be taken in the vent (carefully).

If she is fevered, you can give her a 325 mg tablet of Aspirin dissolved in a quart of water (real unbuffered aspirin only...nothing else). This will need to be changed every 8-12 hours since it will lose its potency after that amount of time.

If the fever does not break in 1-2 days, you can try giving her Tylan-50 injections. Tractor Supply and most feed and seed stores carry this broad spectrum antibiotic. You will need to 3ml syringes with 22 gage or smaller needles (number goes up as needle gets smaller). I will have to look up the dosage for Tylan, but it will depend on her weight and size. I will post the dosage later today after I have had time to find it.

Good luck.

 

[Pelephant]

Thank you guys so much, everyone is so helpful here.

I removed the oyster shells and instead gave them a paper plate of some gravel/dirt/sand from the yard. I've also been giving them lettuce and dandelion leaves, which they really love.

The older one seems to be doing a little better (no more panting), though he still likes to lie down a lot. I felt his feet and they do feel slightly warmer than the more energetic, younger two, but I can't be a 100% certain. Would the aspirin harm him if there isn't anything wrong? Would it be safer just to wait and see then?