Just hatched grey goose goslings

[Theresa1967]

Hello, I just hatched my first clutch of Grey Goose goslings. I have two so far, and I have 7 more eggs to hatch. Will flock raiser crumbles be sufficient for them? My adult pair forage and eat the crumbles, but really only like the rye grass and clovers. Should I add grass to my gosling food and if so, at what age? Thanks for any help

 

[Iain Utah]

Congrats! Flockraiser is fine and I usually feed grass/dandelions from the get go, too. Are you planning to let the parents raise the goslings?

 

[Theresa1967]

I would love to have their mother raise them! Is there a way to introduce hatched chicks to their mother and have her raise them? My geese free range on five fenced acres. I only have the pair. I have other poultry, ducks, cows, goats, and such so I usually use a moveable chicken pen to grow them until they are big enough to be on their own. I thought I would have to raise them and put them in a chicken tractor outside once they are feathered. Thanks so much for your reply.

 

[Iain Utah]

Absolutely. Geese are excellent parents! Depending on the goose and/or gander, you can walk out with babies in hand, show them to the adult, and the adult will immediately try to take them. If you have concerns, you can put goslings in a kennel/tractor and let them get acquainted that way for a day or two.

If weather is an issue, you can set up a pen in garage or shed with heat lamp and the adults will usually move in and stay with the babies, guarding their pen.