Fatten up a goose

[Bronson]

I rescued an African? goose last weekend from a not great situation. She was the only goose in a 20x10 indoor room with concrete floors and cinder block walls and about 100 other chickens and meat birds. She is very emaciated, keel visible, breathing heavy, and was pretty lethargic. Since last week, she has been out in my yard grazing for @8 hrs per day with access to a kiddie pool, and eats @2 cups of waterfowl pellets and scratch overnight in her pen. Her mood had improved 1000%. I drench wormed with ivermectin mid week. She still breathes heavy at times, but seems to be greatly improved overall. Winter is coming. What is the best and safest way to pack some weight back on her?

 

[sourland]

I'd provide ad lib access to the waterfowl diet. That plus foraging and she will gradually gain the condition she needs. Well done on rescuing her.

 

[Goosebaby]

Poor baby!!!

Turkey feed, Purina game bird starter (30% protein) will put weight on her quickly. 20% flock raiser or all flock will put weight on her also, just a little more gradually and it can be used as a maintenance feed. Either are good options.

If you get her a 30% feed keep her on it until she’s back to a healthy weight, long term it can cause obesity and other issues.

I would reduce or do away with the scratch for now, it’s more of a treat and it doesn’t always have a lot of nutrients in it, so if she’s filling up on it rather than the other food she’s not getting what she should right now.

A vitamin mix will probably also benefit her.