Goslings out on grass.

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graham

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Hi,I have some 6 week old gosling and I'm not sure what to do for the best with them.
Ideally i want them out on grass during the day,but with the currant wet weather I am worried about them getting wet and then cold in all that rain.Because of this I have brought them in and am keeping them in a large covered chicken run when I'm not about.They are now starting to feather peck badly when I bring them in.
Am I still right to bring them in out of the rain,I really don't know what to do for the best,they are just over 6 weeks old.My slightly older birds stay out all the time and are very happy.

Please advise,Thanks Graham.
 
Hiya, can you build them a shelter where they can go to escape the rain and wind while outside?
 
Hi,thanks for the reply.I have built a simple 3 sides and a roof shelter and faced it away from the prevailing wind but they just ignore it and sit out in the rain instead.I think maybe I am worrying over nothing,this is the first year I have kept geese.

Graham.
 
I would keep an eye on them, if they are looking cold and wet then bring them in. The feather pulling is redirected grazing behaviour. So you could provide them with fresh turf if you keep them inside.
zo
x
 
Hi,the problem is I am away at work all day so either I let them out or I don't.
I have picked out the bigger more feathered ones and kept the smaller ones inside this seems to of helped matters for now.I also scythe off a feed bag full of long grass for the ones inside that keeps them busy the worst feather pecker has gone outside as well.Like you say one they are out on grass they just get on grazing.

Thanks Graham.
 
Geese needs to be on the grass ideally as they have health problems otherwise.By 6 weeks they should have plenty of feathers to protect them from cold,so if you provide them shelter they can be out all day.If they feel cold I'm sure they find dry place to go if they wish.
 
Hi thanks for the replies I put the last of them out onto grass full time on Saturday.It looks like I was being over cautious they have all been out in the rain with out any problems,they are fully water prof now.This is the first time I have kept geese so lesson lernt the hard way,by making mistakes.
I now have a couple that have droopy wings,I assume this was down to keeping them in and feeding them pellets.
Now that they are out on grass and grass only will this correct itself of do I need to strap tape them up it is the end part of the wing that is drooping down the birds are able to correct this themselves and keep pulling them back up but then they droop down again.

Graham.
 
Yes you need to get them taped up as soon as possible, angel wing does not correct itself. It is caused by too high protein content for too long at a young age. Good luck :)
 
Hi,should I have feed them something else other than grower pellets,or should I have just got them out on grass sooner.A lady up the road from me lost several early on,because they got wet then cold.I feel like I'm dammed if I do dammed if I don't type of thing.
Its a steep learning curve by sure how can I do thing better in the future.
What is the best way to tape them up I have some white paper/fabric type medical tape about 3/4 of an inch wide do I just lift it up and tape it to the other half of the wing.How long will this have to stay on for.
Thanks for your advice.

Graham.
 
It is so so hard to do the right thing! Don't worry too much, you sound like you have their best interests t heart.
Go to majestic waterfowl sanctuary website, they have the best advice on angel wing :)
Zo
 
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