Gosling with dodgy leg!

[Anonymous]

David - many thanks for your advice. We have 5 goslings from two geese. One sadly died - I think it had been trodden on in all the excitement. 2 didn't make it through the hatching and were "still-hatched" for want of a better term. One of the survivors has a messed up leg. It's right leg seems to bend the wrong way so that it drags behind and makes getting about pretty awkward but it's a fiesty wee thing and sticks with the gang- albeit a bit behind her nest buddies. The right foot doesn't seem to function. Mind you it does seem to be getting stronger. They are all out in their field enjoying the sun on their backs with the flock all guarding them - as you said. What a lovely experience. Is there anything we can do about the dodgy leg David? Will the wee sole adapt? Am thinking that I will leave it to nature to do what's right - survival of the fittest and all that - although it's tempting to interfere in some way. I hope the sun is shining for you as it is here. Happy times. Nettle

 

[Davidd]

Hello, if it's badly injured- and suffering then it is best to have it put to sleep-if the leg is broken or beyond help that's what i would do- sad i know but i wouldn't let it suffer If, on the other hand it is only a little wobbly and has only slightly splayed legs then it may have a chance - they grow stronger everyday and grow really quickly- so you need to decide what's best i am afraid
Let us know how it goes,
regards, David

 

[Tim]

I have found splinting a leg, (if you can do it without too much difficulty) will help - especially with youngsters. As the leg grows, if it is held in roughly the right place, it will slowly correct itself and adapt to something that works.

It's really hard to say - what I imagine in my mind is probably alot different to what it really is like - but have a think if there is any way of holding the leg back in the right place for a while to help it..

If not, I tend to give them a while and assess their quality of life - if there's suffering or constant difficulty doing normal things, in other words, as Davidd says, I would consider having him / her PTS.

 

[Davidd]

Hi, yes, as Tim said, you can splint it- but you would need to keep it indoors to monitor its progress- then you have the difficulty of reintroducing it back to the flock- nature is a cruel thing sometimes and if it can't keep up with the rest, they will eventually reject it- you need to do what's best for the gosling- keep us informed,
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for your comments. Well, guys - what a fiesty wee goosie this one is! We secured the leg into a position and put a band on it for just 24 hours - so that it bent in the right places (Johnnie used to keep racing pigeons and although very different birds - some principles are the same). We took it off as we were not happy about about the colour of the leg and watched and waited. That wee bird has adopted a way of using it as a support (even its foot - although a bit withered looking -) is pointing in the right direction. It is keeping up brilliantly with his siblings and the flock and the big birds look out for him. He does tend to sit down and rest more than the others - but it must be exhausing. Wee soul is eating, swimming and growing madly. Am so pleased and full of admiration for the geese and the way they care for their young. If only more humans took a lesson from their wonderful example. Just waiting on the muscovy's clutch to hatch - am like a kid at Christmas! Thank you David and Tim. N