sickly goose/ please help

[rudy6482]

Hello, we bought a few ducks and two geese from a local feedstore three weeks ago. They are mixed breeds. All the birds are lively and healthy except one of the geese. The healthy goose is now twice the size of the sick one and they were supposed to be the same age. The smaller one does eat and drink but the bird looks down all the time and rarely stands up. It seems like the bird cant raise its head up all the way. Now the goosehas some sort of sore on the back of the head but I haven't noticed the other birds pecking. Any clue what this cold be? Thanks.

 

[8GeeseALaying]

As far as it not being able to stand up i would say it has a Niacin deficiency. Brewers yeast sprinkled on to their food will help. Also you can buy Niacin tablets at the pharmacy make sure it is the no flush type. You can crush the tablets up and sprinkle it on the food also or crush one tablet per gallon of water. Brewers yeast is best in my opinion though and can be found at most feed stores. Most of us on here feed niacin up to 3 mos of age. Also make sure they have time out side for eating grass. If grass is not available romaine lettuce is good for them.
As for the sore on its head im not sure, i would have to see a pic.

 

[rudy6482]

Thanks for the reply. I have given the birds a vitamin supplement in thier water a few times. I'll try the yeast now. I've just wondered if maybe the goose has bad genes or something since all the other birds are well. Could the goose be half the wieght because its a different sex? They are both solid yellow and the smaller one hasnt grown much if at all.

 

[rudy6482]

And I've let them all out in a small pen in the yard at least once a week.

 

[8GeeseALaying]

I still think its a niacin problem. I had this with one of mine. Not standing, lethagic, eating but not growing. Im not saying that it couldnt be something else like a defect, things like that can happen, but if its a Niacin deficiency you will see improvement by the next day or so. I dont think that being a different gender would be a big difference, goslings grow quick and when the same age they keep up with eachother pretty well until maturing unless there is a huge age difference. Male goslings tend to be a bit bigger than females but not so much as to dwarf them when they are the same age.
I would give the brewers yeast a try, not to sound condescending but brewers yeast is not the same as bakers yeast, just so you know. I like to make sure i express that just in case. All your ducks can benefit from it too.
Also if you could let them out once a day it would help also, grass has the niacin in it also. I forgot to say that niacin helps their digestion and their joints. Thats why i think it is the reason for not standing and not growing. If you cant let them out as much i would give them romaine lettuce to supplement the grass.

 

[livininbrazil]

And I've let them all out in a small pen in the yard at least once a week.

Rudy, I totally agree with 8 here. i´ve had the same problem with just some of mine, and giving them niacin or Brewers´Yeast was the answer. I lost the first ones that suffered in this way because I did´nt know, but i´ve been on top of any other since. recently, just one adult goose out of 28 geese was showing similar signs, so i dosed their water with niacin and gave her extra amount and two days after she was walking fine again. The difficulty walking seems to be the first sign. They go downhill from there. It´s worth trying the niacin.

 

[rudy6482]

Thank you both for the advice. Turns out the vitamin supplement has niacin in it. Something Ive noticed now is that it seems one of the gooses legs may be injured. Sometimes it only stands on one leg and limps sometimes. Still confused why the goose is so much smaller in size. Have either of you ever had a'runt' that had traits like these? I know with dogs sometimes the runt can end up being the largest once they grow up. I just hope I don't end up with a lone goose.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you both for the advice. Turns out the vitamin supplement has niacin in it. Something Ive noticed now is that it seems one of the gooses legs may be injured. Sometimes it only stands on one leg and limps sometimes. Still confused why the goose is so much smaller in size. Have either of you ever had a'runt' that had traits like these? I know with dogs sometimes the runt can end up being the largest once they grow up. I just hope I don't end up with a lone goose.

How much niacin? have you looked the leg over real good for injuries? Don't give up on it but make sure the others don't pick on it while it's down too which can cause problems [stress]

 

[livininbrazil]

How much niacin? have you looked the leg over real good for injuries? Don't give up on it but make sure the others don't pick on it while it's down too which can cause problems [stress]

It sounds so much like a niacin dificiency. Limping, slow growth. does it feel 'boney'? A healthy gosling is a little tub. I really would be inclined to give it a little extra niacin, just a bit, for a few days, see if there´s a difference. If niacin doesn´t work, I don´t know what will. And feed romaine lettuce, too, it has plenty of niacin in it.

 

[rudy6482]

The vitamin supplement says it has 15, 000 mg/lb of niacin if that helps. I got it because one of the ducks was having siezures and I read it could be a nutrient difenciency. Not one siezure since. I can't tell there is any type of injury to the leg when I hold the goose and the bird isn't boney, just hasn't grown much at all since I got them. The feet and beak are much smaller than the other goose. I really appreciate the replies.