Scaly back on gosling

[bogster93]

Hi I’m new to the group and also new to raising ducks, geese, and chickens. I have 10 week old goslings and noticed a couple of their backs look wet. I’ve been putting them outside thinking that was the issue and now they look scaly like dry skin. Any advice on what I should do?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

It looks like they may be "noodling" each others' backs. Could what you're seeing actually be dried food (rather than scaly skin) on there?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

And !

 

[bogster93]

It looks like they may be "noodling" each others' backs. Could what you're seeing actually be dried food (rather than scaly skin) on there?

It was…after cleaning them it looked better. Thank you, I was worried.

 

[bogster93]

It was. After cleaning them it looked normal. Thank you, I was worried.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Glad to hear it.

 

[FarmerMom83]

What exactly is noodling, I am noticing this wetness on the backs of my goslings as well. How would I clean them to get off the food?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

It's basically when a gosling nibbles another gosling's down/feathers, and will look like a wet patch. It can be a sign of boredom. Are your goslings in a brooder?

The wetness should be minor and dry on its own. Adding enrichment may help distract them, too.

 

[FarmerMom83]

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It's basically when a gosling nibbles another gosling's down/feathers, and will look like a wet patch. It can be a sign of boredom. Are your goslings in a brooder?

The wetness should be minor and dry on its own. Adding enrichment may help distract them, too.

Yes they are in a brooder, 1 is 1.5 weeks old and the other 3 are 1 week old. Ok thanks, I'll add something for them to do and see how that works. Thanks so much!