Plut0
Hatching
- May 10, 2021
- 5
- 15
- 9
Hello everybody! This is my first post on here, so let me start off with some context. First, though, the weird behaviour is at the very bottom if you don't feel like reading. I am currently raising an Embden x African gosling. The catch is that we're urban! Even though I'm new to raising waterfowl, I have a vast knowledge of overall avians. This post may be long but it's because I just want Gilbert Jr to be a happy, healthy goose. Gilbert is currently around two to three weeks old (fluffy and for the most part water proof, though I can feel those feathers growing). We live in a house in town with my other family members and a really friendly husky (previously would let my pigeons sit on him, wouldn't hurt Gilbert Jr). I've heard geese make excellent house pets, even solo, but, I've also had people tell me that the goose could die because it's alone! For anyone wondering, yes, I give him my FULL attention. He comes everywhere with me, and if not, he's with another family member. I do school online so that's not a problem until the end of the year. I don't doubt I have enough sunshine, yard space for grazing, and comfort for Gilbert Jr, but food is what I have concerns about. I've heard so many things about geese feed specifically for goslings and I really need assistance in making sure I feed my gosling right. I currently feed him a non‐medicated chick/poultry starter, a LOT of grass (pesticide‐free), peas, corn, lettuce (small pieces), sand for grit, and apple slices. Now, I know that this isn't enough nutrients, but it's only temporary until I can snag some waterfowl starter, oats, wheat, barley, more fruit like watermelon, grapes, better quality grit, and brewers yeast? I think this is what they need, alongside any other non‐toxic fruits or vegetables. I've read all goose articles I could find RELIGIOUSLY. They all say this or that, but what do you guys think is the absolute best I should feed Gilbert Jr? I've heard brewer's yeast is required in at least 2% of their entire food. I'm thinking the grass and waterfowl starter as a majority but add the grains and extras altogether (excluding grit, separate bucket for grit). Again, I've read so many that say feed this or that to the point I'm horrified of the idea that I don't give my gosling the nutrients he needs. He seems to be healthy though! His poop is occasionally watery, but for the most part solid, green with a bit of white, and barely to no odour. Eyes are wide and alert, etc. He loves it when I put him on my chest and Gilbert will immediately go quiet after I hang out with him. Since we live in a town I take him on at least 2‐4 walks every day (I sit down to let him graze/forage too). I bathe him in my bathtub with luke‐warm water too, just until he'd old enough for a kiddie pool. I hope I can provide him enough that he doesn't absolutely crave another mate, but if it comes down to it, and I find I can do it, I'll definitely get him a partner. Doesn't seem to show signs of loneliness. Gilbert loves to pip and pap but if you carry him he'll be the happiest little bugger. Once he's bigger he'll be allowed to free range in the yards. With all of this, now comes the real weird thing:
Sometimes, he'll look up and start opening/closing his beak. What's he doing?
It's not panting, I think. There's no raspy breathing, or really any breathing sound at all. He doesn't always do it, just sometimes for about a few minutes. Is he okay? is it something to do with his digestion? Poor diet? Overheating (even tho he'll come under the blankets with me mere moments later)? Every other physical part of him seems healthy. It looks like how we do when we're rapidly rolling our tongues around to taste whatever we just ate. I've heard when waterfowl do this they may be dehydrated but I ALWAYS offer him water and he just continues after drinking his normal amounts (not tiny sips but not massive gulps). His beak can definitely fit deep enough to submerge his nostrils. Is it just maybe him saying he's hungry? Any tips? Again, Gilbert Jr is my first gosling. I really don't want to accidentally neglect my babies...thanks for reading!
I'll try to attach a video of him opening his beak if I can catch it. Here's some pictures of him though
(darn camera quality)
Sometimes, he'll look up and start opening/closing his beak. What's he doing?
It's not panting, I think. There's no raspy breathing, or really any breathing sound at all. He doesn't always do it, just sometimes for about a few minutes. Is he okay? is it something to do with his digestion? Poor diet? Overheating (even tho he'll come under the blankets with me mere moments later)? Every other physical part of him seems healthy. It looks like how we do when we're rapidly rolling our tongues around to taste whatever we just ate. I've heard when waterfowl do this they may be dehydrated but I ALWAYS offer him water and he just continues after drinking his normal amounts (not tiny sips but not massive gulps). His beak can definitely fit deep enough to submerge his nostrils. Is it just maybe him saying he's hungry? Any tips? Again, Gilbert Jr is my first gosling. I really don't want to accidentally neglect my babies...thanks for reading!
I'll try to attach a video of him opening his beak if I can catch it. Here's some pictures of him though
(darn camera quality)
If your gosling is sometimes opening and closing his beak it could be adjusting it's crop. Does it usually happen a while after eating?
