The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[atmaclean]

Sometimes individual birds, just like people are less social. If you can figure out a favorite treat, thats a good way to help socialize her more. If she is the youngest, it may also be the pecking order of the flock. I can usually make friends out of just about any bird with a fresh handful of bread, and a lot of coaxing. Just take it slow and she should eventually bond more.

Thanks for the info. I have been working with her and so has my son. She is starting to get less fearful of us and today I saw her out in the pasture with her friend. She even came up on the back porch steps today. I'm encouraged that she is making progress. Yes, she is the youngest by a day and definitely the lowest in the pecking order. She is beginning to peck at the white millet I throw out in the evenings for the guineas so hopefully that will become a treat I can use!!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
Thats great news, keep working with her!

 

[atmaclean]

Here is a picture from today of my little shy friend! She really enjoys getting misted with the hose. Our heat index here today is 102 degrees!! I noticed that she is getting that dew lap (none of the others have this) and her bill is different from my other geese as well. I'm wondering if the others are Chinese geese instead of african or maybe she is a buff Chinese?? I'm so confused!

 

[englishcockers]

I went out this morning and found that one of our month old goslings isn't able to walk. I carried it to food and water and it ate enthusiastically. Thoughts as to what is the problem???

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I went out this morning and found that one of our month old goslings isn't able to walk. I carried it to food and water and it ate enthusiastically. Thoughts as to what is the problem???

I'm so sorry to hear it! If you stand him up, what does his legs do? I hope he isn't spraddled but a possibility. Niacin deficiency is a common issue in waterfowl. That may also be the cause of its problem. The vitamin fix would be a drop of Polyvisol human infant vitamin drops, but WITHOUT iron. The iron is not safe for them. You can find it just about any grocery of drugstore. Another option is human niacin supplement, but I don't know the correct doseage. @Miss Lydia or anyone else able to comment on the niacin?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm so sorry to hear it! If you stand him up, what does his legs do? I hope he isn't spraddled but a possibility. Niacin deficiency is a common issue in waterfowl. That may also be the cause of its problem. The vitamin fix would be a drop of Polyvisol human infant vitamin drops, but WITHOUT iron. The iron is not safe for them. You can find it just about any grocery of drugstore. Another option is human niacin supplement, but I don't know the correct doseage. @Miss Lydia or anyone else able to comment on the niacin?

125mgs of PLAIN niacin per gallon of water or a B complex mixed into 1 gallon of water with at least 125mgs of niacin in it or 1 Tablespoon of Nutritional yeast per 1 cup of feed.Daily until 10-12 weeks old.

 

[Chelsieb]

Can someone tell me what kind of goose this is,and is it is a male/female....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Can someone tell me what kind of goose this is,and is it is a male/female....

You forgot the pic. and Welcome to BYC @Chelsieb

 

[englishcockers]

I went out this morning and found that one of our month old goslings isn't able to walk. I carried it to food and water and it ate enthusiastically. Thoughts as to what is the problem???

Well, I thought I would update on the cripple. For a few days he couldn't use his legs. I propped him up in a box so that he could reach food and water. I did supplement with niacin as advised. He got strength enough in his left leg to get out of the box but couldn't walk at first. his right wing was also drooping. After another day he could walk a little but would fall over onto his right side and be unable to get up without help. So, several times a day I would hear him crying out and I would go turn him onto his left side or belly so he could walk. His dad would attack me all the while. After a few days he was falling over less and less often. He lost weight and fell behind his sibling quite a bit. One day he didn't need help. The next only once. His right wing gradually became less droopy. for the last few days he has seemed fine.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Its great to hear! Hoping for a full recovery.
The Gander is doing his job protecting his babies. I hope that he learns to respect you as a flock leader as time goes on.