Splayed leg gosling

[FoxBurrow]

Our Toulouse goose just hatched 9 goslings. I went out to check on them, and one was out of the nest. It has splayed legs so I didn't know if it could just not climb back in or if the mother kicked it out. Do geese push babies out the nest? Is there anything I can do to help it grow better?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Congrats on your new goslings! I've only artificially incubated (quite a few) goose eggs so far, but I have had broody Muscovies incubate eggs and I do think it's possible the goose may have kicked the gosling out because of its physical issue. From my experience, goslings seem to respond very well to using a hobble/brace made of elastic bandaging (like Vetrap) - their legs seem to strengthen very quickly.

A vitamin supplement like Rooster Booster's Vitamins & Electrolytes with Lactobacillus or Poultry Nutri-Drench would likely be beneficial, too.

If the goose won't accept the gosling, do you plan to hand rear it?

 

[gatrapper]

We have used yarn (on ducklings) to tie between the legs to keep them from spreading too far. It has always fixed them up in within 2-3 days.

 

[FoxBurrow]

I will brood it myself if needed. She doesn't seem hostile toward it, so I think it had just fallen out and wasn't able to get back in. I put a bandaid on it and if that doesn't work I will try some yarn.

 

[FoxBurrow]

Update: baby is normal and I can't even tell which one it was.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Update: baby is normal and I can't even tell which one it was.