The Pecking?

[tribalacres]

Is this normal?

I have Six goslings and they are constantly pecking each other. I’m not sure if this is normal. I read where you put a patch of grass it calms this down for a bit then starts again.

The scene:
They were in a kiddie pool. As of tonight they are in a baby crib with hardwire cloth on the bottom, pine shavings, water, and feed.

The suspects:
six goslings that are a week old tomorrow, not sure their sex or breed as they were a package deal from Meyer.

The evidence:
Wet feathers on their tails and constant pecking.

The witness:
I have never raised goslings so not sure if it’s called pecking or not, or nibbling. Just trying to see if this is normal or any tips?

 

[Leader Bee]

I think holderreads book mentions this somewhere but I'm away from the house so I'll have to look later.

From what I remember it is a problem and yes you need something to distract them.

 

[tribalacres]

I think holderreads book mentions this somewhere but I'm away from the house so I'll have to look later.

From what I remember it is a problem and yes you need something to distract them.

Thank you

 

[Leader Bee]

Ok so i actually left the book at work but I have it available now and here is what the passage from Holderread says:

"Cannibalism
Causes - Few vices of birds are more disgusting than when they eat one another's feathers and flesh. However , this problem - especially for geese - is usually brought on by improper management. For survival, goslings hatch with a strong instinct to nibble on objects around them. When brooded artificially in confinement without pasture or chopped green feed, young goslings satisfy their instincts by pulling on each others wings, tails and down of the back. If allowed to go unchecked, some individuals will be partially denuded, blood will be drawn and holes may be eaten in the flesh. Cannibalism is intensified by high brooding temperatures, excessive light, overcrowding, a diet low in fiber, insufficient quantities of food and pelleted feeds"

Symptoms
Goslings show wet, bare and bloody areas, typically on the wings, tail and back.

Treatment
At the first indication of feather eating, check brooder temperature, reduce intensity of light ( using coloured bulbs - especially blue - often helps), and provide birds with sufficient space, a balanced diet, adequate quantities of feed and tender greens such as grass, clover, dandelion, chard and kale. If greens are not available, mold-free, leafy hay can usually be substituted. Anti-pick lotions and salves are available and sometimes are helpful of used promptly.

Prevention
Correct brooding temperature; dim, coloured lights; sufficient floorspace; a balanced diet; the daily feeding of greens or roughage and putting goslings on pasture as soon as feasible normally eliminates this sometimes serious problem"

 

[tribalacres]

Ok so i actually left the book at work but I have it available now and here is what the passage from Holderread says:

"Cannibalism
Causes - Few vices of birds are more disgusting than when they eat one another's feathers and flesh. However , this problem - especially for geese - is usually brought on by improper management. For survival, goslings hatch with a strong instinct to nibble on objects around them. When brooded artificially in confinement without pasture or chopped green feed, young goslings satisfy their instincts by pulling on each others wings, tails and down of the back. If allowed to go unchecked, some individuals will be partially denuded, blood will be drawn and holes may be eaten in the flesh. Cannibalism is intensified by high brooding temperatures, excessive light, overcrowding, a diet low in fiber, insufficient quantities of food and pelleted feeds"

Symptoms
Goslings show wet, bare and bloody areas, typically on the wings, tail and back.

Treatment
At the first indication of feather eating, check brooder temperature, reduce intensity of light ( using coloured bulbs - especially blue - often helps), and provide birds with sufficient space, a balanced diet, adequate quantities of feed and tender greens such as grass, clover, dandelion, chard and kale. If greens are not available, mold-free, leafy hay can usually be substituted. Anti-pick lotions and salves are available and sometimes are helpful of used promptly.

Prevention
Correct brooding temperature; dim, coloured lights; sufficient floorspace; a balanced diet; the daily feeding of greens or roughage and putting goslings on pasture as soon as feasible normally eliminates this sometimes serious problem"

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing this.

 

[Leader Bee]

No problem,

I don't actually have any geese of my own yet but i've been reading up quite heavily in preparation and this sounded somewhat similar to what you described; i'm sure there are people with much more experience here than I so somebody else might have a different opinion.