Need some advice on baby gosling....

[Broke Down Ranch]

Baby buff dewlap #5 isn't thriving like it's siblings. It appears to be drinking occasionally but just every once in a while does a dis-interested peck at a grain of food and that's it. S/he doesn't seem interested in food and I'm not sure how to get him/her to start eating and running amuk like it's siblings. Any ideas what I could do to encourage this baby to eat?

 

[greyfields]

Hmmm... it's hard to say. Make sure his/her crop isn't hard for starters. It could have swallowed something.

As far as stimulating an appetite, try giving it a 1/4 CC of B12 if you have it... or an electrolyte pack in the water with vitamins. Also, throw some lettuce in there. Goslings go ape for leafy greens.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

When I saw her looking so droopy this morning first thing I did was check the crop to see is she's been eating and it was empty. That's when I tried to encourage her to eat but she nibble one little crumb and turned away. Every morning I take them outside to their "play pen" under a shady tree. They have grass, crumble feed, and a pan of water. I let them hang out there all day. Then in the evening I bring them in and keep over night in the brooder. She isn't even trying to nibble grass....

 

[greyfields]

Sometimes they just don't make it.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

I have some sublingual B-complex that I take - do you think a couple of drops will make it worse? Or I'm thinking it's worth a shot (but don't want to do more harm than good....).

 

[greyfields]

B complex works too.

 

[nutmeggie]

Good luck!! I hope s/he gets better and starts eatting.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

Well, as soon as I get the human kids down for a nap I'll bring her in and try to convince her to start eating......



OH hey, I am all out of electrolytes - do you think some Pedialyte would help? It's flavored but I can't see her caring about flavor....lol

 

[raindrop]

Maybe cut some really tender grass into 1/2 inch lengths and sprinkle it on top of some water? Good luck.

 

[Omniskies]

Find a way to get some honey into her (adding a little to extremely hot water, then mixing that with cool water works the best for us). Honey is a natural energy booster and gives them a little kick. Also, hard boiled egg yolks have a ton of nutrients and are eagerly chomped up by practically every young bird. Sprinkle it over the top of the food.

Dandilion leaves are a big favorite with geese and chopped cat grass also goes quickly.

A few times

Good luck with her.