For the very first time on our little farm a goose has actually hatched some eggs. We have watched them setting fruitlessly for years now, but apparently this one got it figured out. This morning when I went to feed the chickens and geese there were two baby goslings, tottering along after their mom. She let me pick one up but the ganders (there are two - a white Chinese and a Toulouse; the goose is a Toulouse but we lost the mate to the white Chinese gander a few years ago) seem fairly protective and I'm hoping they'll keep the chickens from bothering the babies. They sure went after my dog!
Anyway, what do we feed these little guys? Or can they manage with pasture and what pellets I give the chickens and adult geese?
Help! Baby Goslings!
Someone from Scotland told me she feeds hers bread and milk the first few days. We went out and got some starter feed, unmedicated since there's no way we can keep the chickens away from it. They're awfully cute! Here's one with mama; the other one's under her and there's also an unhatched egg.
I feed mine Mazuri Waterfowl starter for a month then start adding 1/2 Chicken Scratch and 1/4 Purina Flock Raiser for a month then 1/2 & 1/2 Flock Raiser and Chicken Scratch from then on
Even though I put out food for my goslings, the mother guieded them around to the grasses and bugs SHE wanted them to eat! I did raise the first ones on wild game crumbles, but I have that on hand for all babies. Nothing got near thoes babies, even me, for a while.
Jyl, I kind of thought that mom would have her own ideas, although this is the first set she's ever hatched (if you can call two a set?) But the starter feed seems to work, too, and they are all eating some of it. There really is plenty of grass and bugs out there for them to eat right now, though.
Thanks, Jyl and Donna!
make sure it is not medicated. Ducks and Geese eat much more than a chicken and they die from over dosing on the medication
Donna, thanks. We made sure it wasn't medicated because there's no way we can keep the chickens away from it!
The little guys are still doing well.