Sick gosling, help!

[bathroomgoose]

Our local vet said they don't know how to treat a goose. They also said no one around will do it either. I got these babies on 4/2/13, they are twice the height now. They had just gotten into the store the day I got them. They eat well, run around, and love playing in a warm bath. Their set-up is an old bath tub, filled with their feed as litter(i scoop their poop twice a day when it clumps in the food), they have a heater set at 75 and a heat lamp. on one side. I clean their water twice a day(super messy). and they get bath/play time once a day. They also get organic greens(from grocery store) and wheat grass, mixed with grass from our yard and dandy lion greens. The farm store here only had game bird feed(no water foul feed), and that's what they told me to feed them. Anyway, one is all yellow and the other is mostly dark. The dark one has trouble breathing(makes a clicking noise and breathes harder than the other) and sneezes sometimes. The dark one is so friendly and loves to cuddle (hence the names cuddles and douche). I really want him/her to make it. Any help would be appreciated. We have our builders starting a pen and an outdoor drainable pond for them when they are bigger and it warms up(started snowing again today). I've raised ducks, chickens, and guineas before...these are my first geese.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Our local vet said they don't know how to treat a goose. They also said no one around will do it either. I got these babies on 4/2/13, they are twice the height now. They had just gotten into the store the day I got them. They eat well, run around, and love playing in a warm bath. Their set-up is an old bath tub, filled with their feed as litter(i scoop their poop twice a day when it clumps in the food), they have a heater set at 75 and a heat lamp. on one side. I clean their water twice a day(super messy). and they get bath/play time once a day. They also get organic greens(from grocery store) and wheat grass, mixed with grass from our yard and dandy lion greens. The farm store here only had game bird feed(no water foul feed), and that's what they told me to feed them. Anyway, one is all yellow and the other is mostly dark. The dark one has trouble breathing(makes a clicking noise and breathes harder than the other) and sneezes sometimes. The dark one is so friendly and loves to cuddle (hence the names cuddles and douche). I really want him/her to make it. Any help would be appreciated. We have our builders starting a pen and an outdoor drainable pond for them when they are bigger and it warms up(started snowing again today). I've raised ducks, chickens, and guineas before...these are my first geese.

your using their feed as bedding? that does not sound santitary at all. they are eating their food with poop on it. Not good. and when it gets wet and can mold super fast too. pine shaving or old towels would be much better for bedding. and they need a container they can dunk their heads into to clean out their nares and eyes. this could be the problem with your gosling, I hope it's something that simple. Old towels work really well all you have to do is take them out side shake and wash and reuse. if you get pine dshaving go for the flake not the fine. and if you are feeding them other things beside their reg feed they need grit to be able to grind it up.this is from the duck stickys but is just as good for gosling s also https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711
another good link for a cheap waterer for goslings and ducklings https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/426909/non-spill-duckling-waterer/10
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/52173/less-mess-duckling-water/10

 

[bathroomgoose]

I had been using towels before, but they spread their feed all over it and pooped, so I didn't think it made a difference. but i'll change it back. I had no idea about them having to dunk their whole heads in the water, i noticed they did it during their bath. I'll find a better water container. I had asked the employee when we bought them if they need grit, and they said no. Gotta love bad information. I'll grab some grit at the feed store. Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had been using towels before, but they spread their feed all over it and pooped, so I didn't think it made a difference. but i'll change it back. I had no idea about them having to dunk their whole heads in the water, i noticed they did it during their bath. I'll find a better water container. I had asked the employee when we bought them if they need grit, and they said no. Gotta love bad information. I'll grab some grit at the feed store. Thanks!

Keep us updated on your gosling please. hopefully just getting those nares cleaned out good will take care of it. and sorry for my bad manners..

 

[bathroomgoose]

So far, they've had a bath and are settled in to a clean, towel covered tub. new small, deep water dish with a heavy(smooth) river rock in the bottom. I watched a video on sexing them, I think they might both be female.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So far, they've had a bath and are settled in to a clean, towel covered tub. new small, deep water dish with a heavy(smooth) river rock in the bottom. I watched a video on sexing them, I think they might both be female.

Sounds great, and hoping thats takes care of the problem your one gosling is having. and Congrats on having 2 geese. sure makes life easier.

Pics when you get a chance, we love baby pics.

 

[bathroomgoose]

 

[Miss Lydia]

very sweet. Thanks for sharing. Do you have a lid for that water container? if so cut some holes just large enough for them to stick their heads into it. that will keep the mess down some. you'll probably have to make the holes larger weekly they grow so fast. What breeds the dark makes me think African the other maybe Embden? or Buff