pilgrim gosling questions

[sianara]

I got my pair of pilgrim goslings from Metzer Farms yesterday and today they are three days old. I've got a few questions:

First question(s): Right now they have one white and one red 250 watt heat lamp on top of their cage in my basement. My basement stays pretty cool (around 55) so the combination of these two lights makes the cage about 80 degrees inside and about 110 directly under the lights. At first I only had one light but because the female kept peeping I added the second one figuring maybe she was still cold. Within a few minutes she was quiet so I figured she was now warm enough . Now, they walk around and sleep all over the cage so I know they are warm enough. All that said, my first question is about blue heat bulbs. Somewhere I read that blue was better for goslings eyes and helped them to not pick at each other as much but for the life of me I can not find 250 watt blue heat lights anywhere! Is is true blue is better for their eyes and helps with less picking? If yes, where can I buy a couple?

Second question: My female literally JUMPS up and down like she's got her very own pogo stick every time she hears me or anyone else come into the basement. She jumps and peeps, jumps and peeps. Straight up! The first time she did it I picked her up and held and petted her and she quieted right down. This was before I added the second heat light so I figured she liked the warmth of my hands - but she's still doing it. What I'm wondering is is she really as demanding as she seems in wanting to be held or am I reading too much into this behavior? I know puppies demand to be held often but I didn't realize geese would be like that too. I'm very curious about this one.

Third question: How to actually raise them, as animals or as pets (petting, cuddling etc)? I have read both sides of this topic but I'm still trying to decide what is the appropriate way I should raise mine so as adults they realize and respect that I am at the top of the gaggle. Is it true in your experience that goslings raised as "pets" are more aggressive in their behavior towards you as adults? Or have you found raising them as animals tends to have them respect you as an adult leader?
I almost feel as though I'm raising children again lol. When to put them in time out and when not to?

Thanks, I look forward to reading all your responses. BTW I forgot to mention this is the first time I've had goslings (as if you couldn't tell...) and I have The Book of Geese by Dave Holderreads book and The Ultimate Pet Goose Guidebook by Kimberly Link (Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary) but neither of them go into a lot of detail about raising goslings...

 

[NCFF]

Hello ~ I hope you are enjoying your goslings as much as I am. I got my 2 pair from Metzers on the 17th. This is my first time also. I have noticed the following. I have mine in the coop (in a separate area w/ 10 Duckings) They seam to not need the heat as much as the Duckings. I think yours have enough heat, make sure they have plenty of room to get away from it. Once they learn where the heat is give them more space if you can, Mine wanted to run around. At 11 days I have mine in a 12'x6' area. I take them outside in the afternoon to get more sunshine and grass. Give them chick grit and a patch of grass in the brooder. I am using the Ecoglow by Brinsea (love it). They were from the start more interested in me than the ducks.( but Ducks are warming up). As others have stated do not let them pull on your clothes. I am using the following training. An unwelcome behavior(clothes pulling, nip at fingers) is meet first with a verbal reprimand. I make a noise like a hiss(like the noise Cesar Milan make while training dogs). If that dose not work I bump their chest with my finger , and repeat the noise(or say no). They seam to get it. If they are being good the get what they want. petting, soft words.
Kind of torn on how to give treats. Some people say to not feed out your hand, because it encourages nibbling, nipping, also another goose would never offer a flock mate food. I feed my chickens including my Rooster from my hand. I have also read that by doing this they do not recognize you as a rooster(thus less likely to challenge you) because a rooster would never offer them food.
Best of luck

 

[sianara]

This is the kind of information I'm looking for, thanks so much for replying.

I will start using the NO and hissing sound when they nibble on my fingers (always) but am looking for more of these types of suggestions on how to raise/rear them appropriately. Do you have any suggestions on reading material or on line material that supports this type of rearing? I am desperate...

I learned the hard way to not baby roosters. My only rooster is a bantam mille fleur d'uccle (7 years old) who definitely respects me as the flock leader. At least most of the time he does. I have only held him maybe five times since he hatched and that was only to check on him. I have gone through 10+ roosters both large and bantam over the years looking for a "nice" one but I have learned to settle for one that is kind to the hens and respects me (somewhat lol).

My concern is I do not want to have an aggressive goose that is not respectful to me when he is adult sized. I understand the situation about spring time and brooding and them being territorial and that's all cool but for the rest of the year I want to be able to comfortably walk into their yard or allow them in the big back yard and not have to worry about them/him charging at me all the time. If he charges strangers that is fine with me because the whole yard will be fenced and I believe that will be a deterrent for strangers to come into my yard.

I have already made the observation that these two little goslings are more intelligent than all the ducks and chicks I have had over the last ten years (100+). It's amazing how aware they are and how smart they appear to be.

Any other suggestions or observations you have are welcome! Please keep them coming

Gotta get out there now and set up the old 3' x 8' hardware cloth bantam broody run so they can come out into the sun and eat some grass and bugs for the first time. I'm going to bring out a heat lamp, windbreak, food, water and my camera! This should be fun.

Already I feel as though I'm on an awesome adventure and DH & I just came back from two weeks in Europe - this is as much fun as that was