Help with Canadian Goslings

[Stellasmomma]

Hello all, I have just been brought three young Canadian Goslings. A client who runs an apartment community where they have a pond and have it stocked with swans and geese noticed these little ones without a momma they left them to see if another would adopt them but pulled them once they were rejected and the older Geese started picking on them. It is likely the mom was hit and killed by a car. Can someone help direct me to a thread here where I can learn proper feed requirements and heating. Also since these are Geese when they are bigger will they fly away and join some other geese or will they be to domesticated and stay here on the farm? Thank you in advance for any direction I want to help these little ones will post photos in a bit

 

[sylviethecochin]

Firstly, I am obligated to inform you that it is illegal to keep Canadian geese in any way, shape, or form, unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It's a violation of Federal Law (ie, a felony) to have them.

They don't need heat. Goslings are very hardly, and it has to be pretty cold to bother them, even when they're only a couple days old. They have nearly a solid 3/4 inch of insulating fluff when they hatch, and it does its job.

20-24% protein feed is good if they're going to be kept in a cage. I believe 22% is ideal. If you can find a duckling starter feed, that's great. I can't, locally. They can also live on pasture, if it's not a single monocultural grass. My goslings did great on weedy lawn and a couple handfuls of chick feed. They're not really complicated. Also, given the amount of poop, it's just a lot easier to keep them outside.

They might stay on the farm, if you have other geese and they bond, but that migratory instinct is pretty strong. What they're very likely to do is leave and bring their eventual mates and children back.

 

[Goosebaby]

If you’re in North America it’s illegal to keep them without a permit, anywhere else is fine.

They will probably fly away and join a larger flock once it’s time to migrate, but they might just as likely stick around, Canada geese are year round residents in areas with abundant food sources.

 

[Stellasmomma]

Firstly, I am obligated to inform you that it is illegal to keep Canadian geese in any way, shape, or form, unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It's a violation of Federal Law (ie, a felony) to have them.

They don't need heat. Goslings are very hardly, and it has to be pretty cold to bother them, even when they're only a couple days old. They have nearly a solid 3/4 inch of insulating fluff when they hatch, and it does its job.

20-24% protein feed is good if they're going to be kept in a cage. I believe 22% is ideal. If you can find a duckling starter feed, that's great. I can't, locally. They can also live on pasture, if it's not a single monocultural grass. My goslings did great on weedy lawn and a couple handfuls of chick feed. They're not really complicated. Also, given the amount of poop, it's just a lot easier to keep them outside.

They might stay on the farm, if you have other geese and they bond, but that migratory instinct is pretty strong. What they're very likely to do is leave and bring their eventual mates and children back.

Thanks for the info, I was told by my State Dept of wildlife that I can foster them without issue, I think mainly its because they came from a residential pond that is stocked with them and swans and these Geese are used to being around people and they are provided additional food from people. The other issue is our rescues are full and fish and wildlife has no where to place them right now all of our agency's are short handed so its either me or leave them out to fend for themselves. They are doing well and are pretty healthy we have a great inlet down the road that Canadian geese frequent Ill bet they head that way when they are old enough I just want to give them a chance. I will be moving them outside today since they don't need to be heated in a predator proof area where they can have access to weedy grass I am also providing some of my ducklings feed they seem to like grass better then the feed which is probably more natural for them. Again that's for the info! I appreciate any help I can get!

 

[Stellasmomma]

If you’re in North America it’s illegal to keep them without a permit, anywhere else is fine.

They will probably fly away and join a larger flock once it’s time to migrate, but they might just as likely stick around, Canada geese are year round residents in areas with abundant food sources.

Thanks! Fish and wildlife were fine with me raising them until they are old enough to take care of themselves The rescues are full and they have no where to place them.

 

[Goosebaby]

Thanks! Fish and wildlife were fine with me raising them until they are old enough to take care of themselves The rescues are full and they have no where to place them.

That’s great to hear!

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/geese.31/
@Stellasmomma

 

[FluffyPenguin]

Firstly, I am obligated to inform you that it is illegal to keep Canadian geese in any way, shape, or form, unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It's a violation of Federal Law (ie, a felony) to have them.

They don't need heat. Goslings are very hardly, and it has to be pretty cold to bother them, even when they're only a couple days old. They have nearly a solid 3/4 inch of insulating fluff when they hatch, and it does its job.

20-24% protein feed is good if they're going to be kept in a cage. I believe 22% is ideal. If you can find a duckling starter feed, that's great. I can't, locally. They can also live on pasture, if it's not a single monocultural grass. My goslings did great on weedy lawn and a couple handfuls of chick feed. They're not really complicated. Also, given the amount of poop, it's just a lot easier to keep them outside.

They might stay on the farm, if you have other geese and they bond, but that migratory instinct is pretty strong. What they're very likely to do is leave and bring their eventual mates and children back.

I'm confused, the research I've done all had told me they will freeze to death and die as hatchlings in Cold weather. Canadian Goslings just like any other can't regulate their body temperature and need momma for that.. the night I rescued my gosling it was Down in the 50°Fs. And she was shaking like a little leaf cuddling up in my sweater to get warm and stayed there everytime she wanted to sleep. And that the diet of these guys are very strict with all the health problems that can occur without the proper nutrients. Especially Nician they need that most of all for their flight feathers.. please if I'm wrong correct me because I've been like a helicopter mom with my goosey girl, I've leanred from rescuing other baby wildlife and that they tend to be the most delicate creatures in the first couple weeks of their lives. One little thing can make them deadly sick, and I know I tend to take on these roles unknowingly and then have to research it every step of the way but my DNR are not helpful people unless your a hunter and I got the time working from home to foster and be a rescue for the gosling I have. I know she is getting to that age where she is trying to find her flock. The lake I live by has ran off all the Canadian geese I use to see years prior and now your lucky to see a couple. So we are still keeping hope up and looking around everywhere to find them. We have ran across a group of them and for about 3 days i took her up but when we went back the 4th day they were just gone..it doesn't help that every little piece of shore is covered by million dollar homes. I think that's why I found the baby I have that the momma got ran off, but there was no other babies but her. So maybe she was a early hatchling from her other siblings cause the moms do tend to kick the early ones out of the nest. Please don't take my post as trying to say your wrong, I'm honestly learning more and more about them everyday. And there isn't much about raising them other then it saying don't do it it's illegal. But I thought heat was a for sure thing they need to survive the first week or 2 of their lives?

 

[Stellasmomma]

Hello all, I have just been brought three young Canadian Goslings. A client who runs an apartment community where they have a pond and have it stocked with swans and geese noticed these little ones without a momma they left them to see if another would adopt them but pulled them once they were rejected and the older Geese started picking on them. It is likely the mom was hit and killed by a car. Can someone help direct me to a thread here where I can learn proper feed requirements and heating. Also since these are Geese when they are bigger will they fly away and join some other geese or will they be to domesticated and stay here on the farm? Thank you in advance for any direction I want to help these little ones will post photos in a bit

Thought I would update, Goslings grew very quickly! and were nicely feathered so they went back to the residential lake they were born at where hopefully they will learn to fly from the other Geese there. I was sad to let them go but seeing them explore the big lake and the other Geese I knew they would be much happier! I receive updates and told that my little flappys are doing well and still respond if you yell come on Flappys!

 

[FluffyPenguin]

Thought I would update, Goslings grew very quickly! and were nicely feathered so they went back to the residential lake they were born at where hopefully they will learn to fly from the other Geese there. I was sad to let them go but seeing them explore the big lake and the other Geese I knew they would be much happier! I receive updates and told that my little flappys are doing well and still respond if you yell come on Flappys!

I love to hear this, that is awesome! Do you know about how many weeks they are? I only have one gosling but she is about 50 to 55 days old. I found her May 24th. And she has all her big bird feathers in almost but having a hard time bonding with others,would you know anything that might help she hasn't grew up with others so it might be harder for her to know she is one of them..maybe? It has been hard for us to track down groups of them around where I live tho they seem to be there one day and gone the next day we come back.