The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: mcginty on December 29, 2011, 11:48:39 pm
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I purchased two geese from a market,they look under fed, do i need to worm them.I feed chicken meal
and crushed barely.
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If they are in poor condition worming wont do them any harm just in case. They will build up condition steadily now they are with you but it may be slower at this time of year as they are using energy to keep warm as well. Dont be tempted to feed and feed hard food, they are grazers and need grass mainly. Also a good supply of water to groom in. If their feathers are bad they may not have been able to groom themselves in water and wont show their new condition till next moult. In Spring they will have blossomed dont worry .
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Our six geese only get a few handfuls of whole wheat a day, and they have to share that with the ram and 2 wethers who share their field. For the rest, they have to pick at the grass. Only in deep snow does the ration get a little more generous. Geese are tough things!
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By just geting them out into the open air with grass, food and space you will find a difference in them within a week. I rescued some of mine from a small muddy pen, put them down the clover end of the field in their own house and sufficient food for them to get to.............. and they picked up within a week and are now blossoming.
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Are quite shy at the moment and stay in there house most of the time but coming out gradually.
They have a old bath sat into the ground and can groom in this with the ducks.
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Quite shy! Dont worry they will be out causing trouble soon enough.Sounds like they have been brought up in a confined space rather than outside which would explain their condition.
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they make great guards.... you'll be wanting to wring their necks before long