Lone Gosling

[Anonymous]

Hi All - I am new to psoting on the forum, though I have taken a look from time to time, and may I congratulate you all on such an interesting group.

I have kept English Cuckoo Marans and various ducks for some years now, but wanted to try some African Geese to go in the large field with the hens (there is a large natural pond on the far side)

Having purchased 4 eggs from ebay just one has hatched this afternoon. I have some Maran chicks about one week old and very lively, which I am worried might start pecking at a young gosling; and 5 crested ducklings about 3 days old. The ducklings are intended for the flower and veg garden as slug control, and I dont want a large goose trooping around with them

I am worried that if I keep it alone it will imprint on me and not be happy in the field, and if I keep it with the ducklings whilst it is young it won't want to be parted from them. It is pretty big even though just a few hours old and was bumping around in the incubator so I have put it in with the ducklings for tonight.

Any thoughts about where I should go from here?

All the best - Susan
ps It is absolutely gorgeous and so alert and interested in everything, Very loveable!

 

[Anonymous]

hopefully,one or more of the other's will still hatch.As to it imprinting you,not sure how you can avoid that. Apologies I can't suggest anything helpfull,if none of the other goose eggs do hatch,would keep it with your ducklings temporarily,and see about buying another gosling.

 

[Tim]

Yes, it will need company in the longer term... so hatching more eggs or looking for another gosling would be good.

If you are in the UK, people often sell them in sexed pairs in the autumn once mature - if you have a goose, you'll be ok but it might be more difficult if you have a gander. You might also try advertising or calling around to see if someone has a spare gosling hatched but make sure you vent sex both so that you don't end up with 2 ganders..

As for imprinting, it's a tough one. The gosling will hang out with the ducks if you go down that route. It will imprint on you if you spend enough time with it.

I'm sure one of the more knowledgable Goose breeders like Steeple Ducks or Davidd will have some comments?

 

[Davidd]

Hello, i would try and find it some company, i.e. another gosling- otherwise it will imprint on the ducklings- are there no local breeders? good luck and let us know how it goes,
regards, David