Questions about day old Sebastopol geese

[crj]

Hi, I just brought home 2 babies that hatched this morning. A friend of mine gave them to me and I'm hoping I have a boy and a girl. One is having a problem. This morning it was the last egg to hatch but the mother left the nest with the other babies and the last one got cold and lethargic. My friend brought the baby in the house and put it under a light to get it warm. She also fed the baby vitamin water. It seemed to help. It was weak but breathing pretty well. We noticed it couldn't hold its head up and was getting dehydrated. We let it sleep after forcing some water in him/her and went to check on the other animals she had. We came back and noticed the baby was looking better, fluffier but still couldn't pick up or hold its head up. It would jump as if having a spasm. Needless to say I brought both baby geese home and the "sick" one looks a lot better but still can't hold its head up. Is there anything I can do to help? or is it just time that will do the trick. I'm giving the baby Poly-Vi-Sol vitamins mixed in water and using a dropper to get it in him/her. The baby seems to try and hold its head up but can't keep it up. Also, no longer looks dehydrated. Any helpful information is greatly appreciated.

Also, can you tell if they are a boy or girl? I didn't have much luck vent sexing. Maybe I will have better luck tomorrow. Ducks seem to be much easier. Here are some pictures. They are so stinkin cute!

This was coming home. Little bugger escaped too.

Soo cute.

I'm thinking girl here.

I'm thinking boy. This is also the week baby

Thanks for any help you give me.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Sadly... Mothers do leave the nest leaving weaker babies behind - thats just how " survival of the fittest" works- Doesn't really seem fair when this little one was left behind because it was last to hatch- but could also be an indication the mother knew something wasnt quiet right with it. Gosling can take a while longer than chicks and ducks to perk up after hatching- but giving it some TLC and keeping up the vitamins will go a long way to helping it recover from its harsh start to life.

Goslings are just the sweetest babies- you have a wonderful friend to give you such little cute ones. Sebs are my favorite- I had one years ago - and would dearly love to have some again but there is none in reasonable distance of where I live- and posting such special eggs wouldnt be something I would want to do. Good luck with your little one- I hope it starts to pick up soon for you.

 

[crj]

Quote:
The baby is doing much better this morning. Has his eyes open, holding his head up much better today. Even ate a little bit. I think this baby is going to be ok. I don't want to jump the gun just yet since I know I still have to keep an eye on him. I'm hoping someone can tell me if they are male and female. The healthier one is darker then the other color wise which I know the girls are darker then the boys. Thing is..... I don't know how dark the females get when hatched. This is the first time I've ever seen baby geese.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I agree with ducky, it probably couldn't hold its head up just because it was so young. Their necks are kind of 'folded' back on their bodies when they are in the egg, it takes them a little while to learn how to control the thing.

I'm not sure of the sexes on your babies, but I'd say they are probably both boys. The darker one doesn't look all that dark.

 

[crj]

Quote:
Ducky, Shelley, I agree with both of you about the duck being too young. That was my first thought as well. He also looked very dehydrated but the fluids helped a lot with his recovery. I actually have them outside with 3 of my 4 day old chicks. They are enjoying the wonderful weather.

I tried to find the darkest of the baby ducks. 3 were pretty light and the other 3 were just a bit darker. Could it be that this goose had all boys? Tell me it isn't so! My friend will be so disappointed. Both of us have more then our fair share of boys in chickens and ducks not geese too????

 

[crj]

I tried to take a better picture of the two today. I had them outside with some 3 day old chicks. Man, the geese just smurf the chicks.... LOL! The geese are a day old.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Well now that one looks like they are a boy and a girl

 

[adrian]

A lot depends on genetics. Some bloodlines have really dark girls and rather dark boys as well, and it's hard to tell which gender is which because the boys have a bit of dark on them as well. It looks like, for this bloodline, the females are dark but the males are really light. Comparing the two, I'd say it's likely you have a boy and a girl. So glad to see the little guy on his feet.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

With my sebastopol goslings, the female had more grayish/olive feathers, and that is true of most of the breed.

I'm glad the late hatcher perked up some.

 

[crj]

Quote:
Geez, I sure hope so. They are the cutest balls of fluff ever! I say that each time I get a new type of bird but really, it's true... HA! They are getting a long great with the chicks. I'm really happy about that. These baby geese are so easy going. They do get spurts of energy that cracks me up. The size compared to the chicks are pretty cool too.

Yes, the little one that hatched late is really doing wonderfully. Still likes to sleep a bit more then the other but otherwise he seems just fine. They are outside getting some fresh air and grass. The wind is quite strong today but they are safe.

Thanks for the help. Anything else I should know about these adorable creatures?