New babies!! Now what?!

[happybooker1]

i just bought a pair of Cotton Patch geese from a local breeder. Meet Sonny & Cher (dates me I know)!They are an autosexing breed so the female is white/grey and the male is all white. In the pics it's kinda hard to tell but Cher has the more dark beak.

They are MUCH calmer than most of the chickies I've bought! Right now I have them in a box under the vanity in my bathroom. That MAY last them 4-5 days, as I've been told they grow VERY quickly!

They were hatched yesterday and so far I haven't seen them drink water or take a bite of crumbles. I got the 24% protein gamebird feed. Is that right? When do I start giving them grit? When can they be exposed to water in the bathtub? Do I need to start cutting grass to give them now? Do they have the same temp requirements as chickies?

I know nothing. But they're sure cute!

 

[Miss Lydia]

How precious Congrats "Mother goose". Goslings are just the most precious things.

24% is kinda high you'll want to cut that down when they get around 3 weeks old to keep them from having so much protein and the possibility of angel wing. You can cut it with oatmeal not quick cooking I'd let them have a small bowl of grit now chick grit is best.
Don't put it in their feed they may over eat it. You can give them soft grasses but not long cut it up for them.

They can be in the bath tub now start them with water up to top of their legs warm water of course like you'd have for a baby human. Then you can go deeper as they get older be sure to get them out before the water gets cool and pat them dry and right back under heat lamp.

On nice warm days take them outside they will follow you around and it will get them use to all the things they need to build a strong immune system

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/raising-and-caring-for-goslings.67492/

 

[Gray Farms]

Are you sure they are purebreds? Males are suppose to be solid yellow when they hatch.

 

[happybooker1]

Are you sure they are purebreds? Males are suppose to be solid yellow when they hatch.

They are. At least when they grow up they are solid white. I saw about 20 of the flock while picking up my babies and the males were solid white, while the females were grey and white.

 

[happybooker1]

Thanks for your informative post, Miss Lydia!

How precious Congrats "Mother goose". Goslings are just the most precious things...../

I truly appreciate all the information. They are sure different from chicks! We had them in bed with us this morning! Until they started pooping. More laundry! HA!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good old clean towel work nice for bed time snuggling. We did it with our duckling we had to raise inside.