My Gosling is Ripping Chicks Feathers Out

[Mycrazypets]

I had a similar problem with my two pilgrim goslings... the female would rip out the males little bum fluff and when she started pulling out blood feathers I got really worried because they were so attached to each other I couldn't separate them. It was suggested to me (by my BYC fam) to get some Blue-Kote from tractor supply and just spray that spot that she was targeting. Its a wound dressing which was good but apparently also has a menthol-y taste that they dont appreciate. I applied it at night (it started when they were in the brooder in the same spot but when they moved outside it stopped for about a week before beginning again hence the pin feathers growing in) and after two nights she had stopped and I haven't had any issues since.

I would for sure remove the goslings from the chicks but if the culprit starts doing that to the other gosling, that might help with that. Definitely wouldn't suggest coating the poor chick in blue dye lol.

Once they all move outside, maybe house them beside one another so they can still see and interact but not hurt for a few days before letting them together. Theres plenty of info on here regarding introductions but I think the risk of dealing with reintroductions is outweighed by the damage that a gosling could do to a baby chick.

Ok what age do you think they will be ok? They are 4 weeks old now so not too too fragile.

 

[TwistedTayy]

Ok what age do you think they will be ok? They are 4 weeks old now so not too too fragile.

If the goslings are also 4 weeks, I'd say they can definitely be moved outside... Mine are 6 weeks and have been outside since about 3 weeks. Not sure about chickens (thats my next adventure) so I would defer to someone else's experience on when chickens are good to move outside. If they have to still be inside then just let the goslings outside for some "play time." If you dont want to permanently move them outside yet, you can set up a dog play pen or some plastic poultry fencing or something and that will entertain them for hours. Then perhaps they will be so tuckered out that they leave the chicks alone when you bring them back in... not to mention the chicks will have a break from the goslings. If you decide everyone can go outside, I think the goslings will probably still be distracted and not bother the chicks. For even more distraction, give them a kiddie pool (but make sure there's enough dry space for the chicks... my goslings first time in a pool was like a splash ride for me, I got soaked). If it keeps happening, expand the space that they are in to give them more room. From what I could tell, goslings are like dogs, they get unruly when they're bored. I dont know that you need bells and whistles and toys to keep them distracted at that age, I think they're just ready for "what's next."

 

[Mycrazypets]

If the goslings are also 4 weeks, I'd say they can definitely be moved outside... Mine are 6 weeks and have been outside since about 3 weeks. Not sure about chickens (thats my next adventure) so I would defer to someone else's experience on when chickens are good to move outside. If they have to still be inside then just let the goslings outside for some "play time." If you dont want to permanently move them outside yet, you can set up a dog play pen or some plastic poultry fencing or something and that will entertain them for hours. Then perhaps they will be so tuckered out that they leave the chicks alone when you bring them back in... not to mention the chicks will have a break from the goslings. If you decide everyone can go outside, I think the goslings will probably still be distracted and not bother the chicks. For even more distraction, give them a kiddie pool (but make sure there's enough dry space for the chicks... my goslings first time in a pool was like a splash ride for me, I got soaked). If it keeps happening, expand the space that they are in to give them more room. From what I could tell, goslings are like dogs, they get unruly when they're bored. I dont know that you need bells and whistles and toys to keep them distracted at that age, I think they're just ready for "what's next."

Yeah they both should be ready to move outside but my coop does not arrive until beginning of August so I put them in the larger “pen” setup temporarily. I will continue to let them have some outside time too.

 

[TwistedTayy]

Yeah they both should be ready to move outside but my coop does not arrive until beginning of August so I put them in the larger “pen” setup temporarily. I will continue to let them have some outside time too.

Im not sure where youre located (also im a chicken noob) but depending on the temperature you might be able to keep them outside... here are some pics of my set ups...

The coop below is my duckling (welsh harlequin) coop (Producers pride defender from TSC)... but they dont use the coop at all, they basically live in the run. We had them up in the coop at the beginning and then they got let into the run during the day, but they were actually getting too hot in the coop AT NIGHT. So we let them sleep in the run while we worked on adding ventilation and then predator proofing the "improvements" but they were fine outside so we just leave the door open at night and there has been no evidence they sleep in it. In fact I put up a trail cam facing the coop and they just spread out at night in the open and some will cuddle under the coop part. I should say that I added a silver tarp "roof" that was meant to somewhat protect from rain but mostly to protect from sun and I ended up having to also add a box fan in the run. They also needed ventilation outside lol Gotta love Georgia. They got moved there at 2 weeks and are now 5 weeks old. There has been some storms but haven't lost any to exposure. They are out with the rest of the flock during the day now. The original plan was to have the goslings be a guard goose and move/live with that flock and have them "nest" under the coop area in there... but they run the yard and like to have their own house...

The goslings live in this run from tractor supply which we also fitted with a tarp for protection and hardware cloth (it comes with a non waterproof cover and also the other coop also got hardware cloth added in the run). And they just sleep in that at night on the ground. We also got a dog house igloo thing that we will put straw in for them to use and do away with the tarp cover. We moved them out at three weeks (now 6 weeks) and they've had no problems, go right in at night. The picture shows some ducklings in there because we were just using it for playtime while the others were wandering around. It has since been covered by a massive silver tarp that offers protection on roof and three sides to the floor.

The pekins that we have are 7 weeks and have been outside since 2 weeks (we have 4)... all but one is bound for the chopping block. They actually live in the Producers pride Sentinel coop that we got because we wanted the birds outside and the Defender was going to take 2 weeks (Pekin were the first to go outside). We adjusted the ramp with some stone pavers to make it like a wrap around staircase. Again, they only get locked in at night but at night they have access to the run area and the coop and they don't sleep "upstairs" even though I know for a fact they go up there looking for food (love trail cams). I can add better pictures when I get home today (its been a while since I took some) but as long as the temps don't get below 60 at night or you give them some wind protection (and predator protection) they should be alright.

My point is that you can rig something up and they will be happy even sleeping outside... the goslings I mean. Again, not sure about chicks. You should also begin introducing them to water regardless, I heard that that speeds up production of their oil gland to help water proof them so that when the time comes, they are ready to be outside full time anyways.

 

[TwistedTayy]

Here are some updated pictures as of today.

 

[Mycrazypets]

Here are some updated pictures as of today.

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Awesome setup. Yes it is definitely cooler here up north, more so in winter than summer. But they did enjoy having outside playtime today and swimming in a baby pool. Cute to watch them swim!