3 month old goslings still look quite small

[ElGoose]

I don’t know if I’m just crazy but I got these 2 domestic greylag goslings at the end of may and they still look quite small to me? Compared to how large other goslings are at this size. Besides the size they both are very healthy and swim/run a lot every day

 

[Jenbirdee]

i agree
How about weighing them

 

[ElGoose]

i agree
How about weighing them

I’m not sure they’d let me they’re more bonded to the geese than us and won’t let us pick them up now I wonder if maybe it’s because they’ve developed their water feathers very quick and look a lot more streamlined than the usual fluffy gosling but I just can’t be sure..

 

[Jenbirdee]

I’m not sure they’d let me they’re more bonded to the geese than us and won’t let us pick them up now I wonder if maybe it’s because they’ve developed their water feathers very quick and look a lot more streamlined than the usual fluffy gosling but I just can’t be sure..

well, as long as they look and act healthy, then don’t worry about it, but in the future, just in case you ever have to pick them up - in my opinion, better to get them used to being occasionally picked up now. It’s a little scary at first but once you get used to it it’s no big deal.

 

[Goosebaby]

Where did you get them? Do you know if their parents were small birds? What do you mean by “domestic greylag?” Are they captive bred European greylags or are they production Toulouse / unknown grey domestic goose?

If they’re captive bred European greylags that would explain their small size compared to domestic geese, though they still have some growing to do and will still get a bit larger. European greylags only reach around seven pounds whereas small breeds like Chinese or Romans average around 10 pounds, and a buff is a medium to large breed so they tend to range between 14 to 16lbs, Toulouse are usually between 15 to 17lbs, and embdens can get up to 20 to 22lbs.

 

[ElGoose]

Where did you get them? Do you know if their parents were small birds? What do you mean by “domestic greylag?” Are they captive bred European greylags or are they production Toulouse / unknown grey domestic goose?

If they’re captive bred European greylags that would explain their small size compared to domestic geese, though they still have some growing to do and will still get a bit larger. European greylags only reach around seven pounds whereas small breeds like Chinese or Romans average around 10 pounds, and a buff is a medium to large breed so they tend to range between 14 to 16lbs, Toulouse are usually between 15 to 17lbs, and embdens can get up to 20 to 22lbs.

See I’m just not sure.. I’m already quite upset as one was very weak when I got him I was also confused when she said domestic greylag and asked what the parents looked like to which she told me to look up greylag geese.. admittedly at the time I was quite desperate to get some goslings as my geese only had one at the time but she sadly passed away due to naval infection and never grew past 2 day old gosling size it was very sad, and there were just no other people selling goslings local to me

 

[Goosebaby]

See I’m just not sure.. I’m already quite upset as one was very weak when I got him I was also confused when she said domestic greylag and asked what the parents looked like to which she told me to look up greylag geese.. admittedly at the time I was quite desperate to get some goslings as my geese only had one at the time but she sadly passed away due to naval infection and never grew past 2 day old gosling size it was very sad, and there were just no other people selling goslings local to me

I’m so sorry! That sounds like a bad breeder.
The most you can do is ensure they have good nutrition, maybe start giving them vitamins or extra nutritional yeast. They are small but that could just be because they are actual greylags, they have an incredible wingspan by the looks of it so I’m thinking they are indeed actual greylags. If that’s the case you might want to consider clipping the pin feathers, they can fly pretty well.

 

[ElGoose]

I’m so sorry! That sounds like a bad breeder.
The most you can do is ensure they have good nutrition, maybe start giving them vitamins or extra nutritional yeast. They are small but that could just be because they are actual greylags, they have an incredible wingspan by the looks of it so I’m thinking they are indeed actual greylags. If that’s the case you might want to consider clipping the pin feathers, they can fly pretty well.

Safe to say I didn’t go back to her and yes I figured out they fly very well as Dora, the girl, flies very well we own quite a lot of land so we haven’t clipped her wings as she likes to do a bit of a fly but then freaks out when the rest don’t follow her so she comes right back the other doesn’t fly as he had a wing problem ever since we got him sadly, we tried to treat for angel wing but I think it was already set by the time we got him though he can move both wings easily and flaps them comfortably. If Dolly (the girl) becomes a problem when it comes to flying I may consider clipping just for her safety