Toulouse Geese Thread

[SilkyPants]

Update for the babies:
I have good and bad news and a few questions for you all.
Good is 5 hatchlings were present today.
Bad is one of them is not "thriving" like the others. They even just left it out in the pasture. It doesn't seem like it can walk.
I have moved it into the brooder with a few chicks I have in there to dry off and get warm. It calmed down when I held it against my chest for a while.
Now I have had some miraculous turn arounds with chicks, but gosling is new territory. Anyone with experience/suggestions?

Should I take the rest of the goslings and add them to the brooder as well?
There are still six eggs in the nest unhatched, is there a chance they will hatch still or can I remove them?

Here is a picture of the family stretching their legs in the sun:

 

[Miss Lydia]

Update for the babies:
I have good and bad news and a few questions for you all.
Good is 5 hatchlings were present today.
Bad is one of them is not "thriving" like the others. They even just left it out in the pasture. It doesn't seem like it can walk.
I have moved it into the brooder with a few chicks I have in there to dry off and get warm. It calmed down when I held it against my chest for a while.
Now I have had some miraculous turn arounds with chicks, but gosling is new territory. Anyone with experience/suggestions?

Should I take the rest of the goslings and add them to the brooder as well?
There are still six eggs in the nest unhatched, is there a chance they will hatch still or can I remove them?

Here is a picture of the family stretching their legs in the sun:

I'd say if both moms got up and left they are through. But when you take the remeining eggs I'd listen and look them over real good before burying or tossing whatever you plan on doing, but usually once they get up they are done. Good thing you found the one it may come around now with some TLC and you'll be able to put it back with the family after it gets stronger it could have been last one to hatch and just didn't have it's legs under it yet. livin and some of the others could give you better advise with goslings I have more experience with ducks so far, only gosling hatched here Mama Muscovy hatched and raised. If the others seem to be doing fine I'd leave them with the adults unless you see something different. Did you examine the legs on the one you brought in and after it warmed up how was it? Goslings really imprint on their caretaker much more than chicks do. Which means it is going to want alot of attention and needs it too.

 

[SilkyPants]

Here is a pic when I got her of the ground (right afterwards I saw two eagles swirl overhead). She laid her head against my chest and peeped quietly.

When I checked back on the brooder she was attempting to wobble toward the naked necks, who seem to think she is "freaky".
The naked necks took a maran chick and a few welsummer chicks under their wing after a day, so I am hoping they will accept the gosling.
If she keeps showing improvement I will sneak her back with the other geese tomorrow.

 

[hotcurltr]

Is there a way to tell adult males from females? I finally found some toulouse geese for sale, but they have no idea what sex they are. They were bought at an auction about a year ago. I've been looking for female geese of about any breed since they are getting so hard to find. I do have a toulouse gander that sorta has a mate, but I have 4 different breeds of ganders w/no mates. I bought some as straight run last year and almost all were ganders. I did buy some pairs and they've picked different mates so I give up. However they are my pets and would love for them to have mates..Two of them think I'm their mate. Underfoot wherever I go. I guess if they don't get them sold soon, they are going back to auction. W/o knowing their sex doesn't sound to good for them. Anyway, If there is a way I'd be happy to know. Thanks.

 

[livininbrazil]

Here is a pic when I got her of the ground (right afterwards I saw two eagles swirl overhead). She laid her head against my chest and peeped quietly.

When I checked back on the brooder she was attempting to wobble toward the naked necks, who seem to think she is "freaky".
The naked necks took a maran chick and a few welsummer chicks under their wing after a day, so I am hoping they will accept the gosling.
If she keeps showing improvement I will sneak her back with the other geese tomorrow.

Hi Silkypants, what a dear little soul.
It could well be that she´s just the last to hatch. If the goose is off the other eggs, they won´t hatch now.
Is the gosling eating? Get some romaine lettuce for her, it´s rich in things that she needs. Rip it up in small piecs so she can eat it. If I were you, I´d get one of the other goslings in with her for a bit, that´ll help her thrive. You could always take them both out to be with mom while you´re there with them so that she continues to imprint on the goose mom, then when you have to put them back indoors (good if it´s the same gosling to keep with her, as it´ll learn the ropes and be calmer), she´ll imprint on the gosling she´s with, then once she´s strong, it´ll be a smooth transition to go back with the others. It may just take a few days, maybe less, but keep an eye, as she simply could just be a bit weaker than the others anyway.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Is there a way to tell adult males from females? I finally found some toulouse geese for sale, but they have no idea what sex they are. They were bought at an auction about a year ago. I've been looking for female geese of about any breed since they are getting so hard to find. I do have a toulouse gander that sorta has a mate, but I have 4 different breeds of ganders w/no mates. I bought some as straight run last year and almost all were ganders. I did buy some pairs and they've picked different mates so I give up. However they are my pets and would love for them to have mates..Two of them think I'm their mate. Underfoot wherever I go. I guess if they don't get them sold soon, they are going back to auction. W/o knowing their sex doesn't sound to good for them. Anyway, If there is a way I'd be happy to know. Thanks.

look at your ganders they stand up very straight mostly walk that way too a goose will have a normal walk and stance, ganders seem to always be on the alert, ganders also have a very high pitched honk where the goose is low pitched. other than DNA or vent sexing that about it. I hope you can find some mates for your boys.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hows the baby doing this morning?

 

[subhanalah]

Hows the baby doing this morning? 

x2

 

[SilkyPants]

Today things are looking great! Definitely a lot more fight in her!
About 40 minutes ago, I put her back with the geese, and she had no problem running up and rejoining them. They seemed very eager to get her back!

A few minutes after this photo, they ushered all 5 babies back to the nest. <3

I will be checking back in a few hours to make sure there is still progress. Thank goodness it is a beautiful day.

 

[SilkyPants]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences! It helped me with this greatly!