Surprise goslings and a snake problem..

[Puddle Foot Farm]

Hello all,

Haven't been on for a while, as I've been in Canada for the summer. I got home two days ago, and the next day, out popped a gosling from under my goose! My mom and I were shocked, and separated out the mother, father, and gosling from the rest of the flock. The next day, the gosling was dead.

We had no idea why, but it looked kinda like a snake had gotten it and then regurgitated it. Anyways, later on yesterday, two more hatched. We were again delighted! We hoped that they would survive the night, as we couldn't get the father away from the nest to steal them. This morning, we found that only one survived the night, and this time there was no body. So, we definitely have a snake problem. After losing two goslings, I decided it was time for me to get the last gosling out of there. After a lot of patience, I managed to snatch up the little one and take it inside. The mother is still on the nest with four more eggs, and I now have a lone, surprise gosling. We've named her Banana Brat, and she is already the most spoiled gosling EVER. My mom had said no goslings this year, as we're moving.. But she didn't have any faith in the geese, so now we have at least one gosling.

I love surprises! And hate snakes..

Chelsea

PS, any tips for lone goslings? We gave her a stuffed animal and a towel to snuggle with, but she's still complaining when we leave her alone..

 

[pete55]

So sorry to hear about the snake taking your other babies. At the moment you seem to be doing all the right things by supplying the lone gosling with attention and soft toys. Of course the best company is another gosling and if more hatch from the other eggs then I'd remove them quickly before the snake visits for another meal!

At least that way you can rear your goslings together. If none hatch then maybe a duckling? We've reared a Toulouse gosling with a Rouen duckling and they remain best of friends despite the size difference

Pete