Goslings not eating

[lovesgliders]

My two new Seb goslings hatched & shipped on Monday, arrived on Wednesday (in PERFECT condition), and it's now Friday and the level in their feeder does not seem to have gone down at all. They hardly poop, which is also worrisome... when they do produce some waste, it is in very small amounts and very clear (so I am thinking it is just basically urine). They drink well and are very, very active and alert. I am feeding them Mazuri Waterfowl starter and bits of lettuce. They do seem to like the lettuce more and I have seen them eat some of that.

There is no green grass here or I would take them outside to tempt them into grazing... but everything here on the island is dead and brown.

Thoughts? They are only my second batch of goslings... my first gosling loved the Mazuri and ate (and pooped) voraciously.

 

[The goose girl]

I'm guessing they may not recognize the Mazuri as being food. Maybe they're used to another kind of feeder, or they're used to some other kind of food (like grain). If they're not scared of you, try tapping/pecking your finger in the feeder, imitating a goose eating.

I've had thirsty goslings panting for water, but not recognizing a different colored bowl or a different sized bucket as a source. If I splashed the water gently (sometimes for a minute or two), they'd go for it, and within a short while they'd be splashing water all over. If I try to get a goose or gosling to eat something new, I peck at it with my finger. Then they start pecking too. It doesn't always work with food - they may spit it out - but at least they try. I've never had gosling completely refusing to eat, though.

Good luck!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Is the food in an open bowl? Goslings aren't chicks so the feeders and waters made for chicks don't really work best for goslings.

We use open bowls for food and water right from day one. They all do very well.

Think about growing fodder (entire thread here on BYC) for them for added greens.

Anything other than starter in their diet they MUST have grit as well to help them process the other food items.

 

[lovesgliders]

Yup, the food is in a bowl, and yup, I have pecked my fingers in it to kind of show them that it is food. I have seen them pick some up but they always spit it right back out. I forgot about the grit, thanks for reminding me! I will put some in a dish in the brooder.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

use a measuring cup to put a very exact amount in the bowl. Then tomorrow measure it out of the bowl to see how much is left. Newly hatched birds dont need food and live off thier yolk, so the first couple of days they wont eat as much as 1 week old or a 2 week old

 

[RURU]

New goslings like Celtic said just eat a little at a time. With me it never fails I put their water bowl in and plop there goes one in the water bowl to play. Then the other see and they take turns plopping in the water. Then I wonder why my lovely clean diaperas for them turn out to look like a big poop water fight!!!!

On my first hatch I have one grey saddleback. Never failed me. I put in a stainless steel bowl to put the water on top of. I would get the water in their and here plop. Well there was baby happy as can be playing in the water dish.

I have to purchase these assure chuck pads, but they are pads you put under people to keep their bed dry from mistakes. I make sure to buy the big ones because of the mess these little stinker's do and I do mean stinkers!

 

[lovesgliders]

At this point, Ruru, I *wish* mine were making a mess. The brooder is virtually poo free. I am so confused! They are active and alert. I let them out to run around and they "graze" all over my floor. They seem very happy to eat lint, dirt, and dog hair off the floor! I even tried scattering the Mazuri across the kitchen floor, since they seemed so keen on picking up various and sundry bits, but they ignored the food and went in search of the next piece of dog hair! I am at my wit's end with these guys, I feel like they HAVE to eat soon. On Monday they will be a week old (today is Saturday)!

 

[RURU]

Can you go get a small bag of some waterfowl grower feed that is a different brand. Maybe they do not like that feed? Go to the store and get some greens for them lettuce greens. Romaine, kale ect. Cut that up and see if they will eat that.

The other night I could not go to sleep because my goslings wanted more food so I got up and raided the celey green from the celery and threw that in with them. They shut up and worked on the green.

If your guys are eating lint and dog hair they should eat the greens super well. Give it a try.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

try putting their food in water and see how they respond. As Barb mentioned try another feed (even a chick starter to get them eatting at this point)

 

[Pgw]

try putting their food in water and see how they respond. As Barb mentioned try another feed (even a chick starter to get them eatting at this point)

So I too am getting goslings soon, my first, and have chick feeders. Have seen trying a vinegar bottle as a waterer. Cut holes just big enough for heads but not whole body. Will keep them out. With the chick waterer it is so shallow. They are supposed to immerse their whole beak in order to digest food. Has anyone seen feeders or waterers just for goslings?