The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: minibn on August 02, 2014, 08:33:08 pm
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Hi
I have been given a baby gosling. It was given to me by a freind as they found it, but after serching for ages there was no sign of an adult bird or any other goslings. They don't know if it had strayed or if it had been dumped as there were no other signs of any geese near by. I have currently got two adult geese, a male Toulose and a female Embdon. Im worried as to it being able to intergrate with them when it gets older.
I dont know what type of goose it is, or how old it may be, i have attached some pictures if anyone has any ideas. I dont know if it was a wild goose or a domesticated. Im currently feeding it chicken crumb mash. Does anyone know any bird sancturaies or charities which could help. I don't know what is best really. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Emily
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Cant answer your questions, but make sure the chick crumb hasn't got ACS in.
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I wonder if it is a pilgrim, as they are auto sexing at birth and the light bill and colour in this breed would denote a male, which could be why it is abandoned. Just a guess mind you, I don't know much about geese and am sure there are far more knowledgeable people on the forum. Where abouts are you, re rehoming?
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He/she certainly looks like he'll be white but that doesn't really help narrow it down much although probably domestic. They can integrate OK with older geese eventually - I've got my three older geese and nine hatched this year all in together - but better if it's a she, a he would be fine outside breeding season but then could fight next spring. The oddest thing is that it still looks quite young so probably less than two weeks old but most geese stop laying by early June so its from good egg laying stock! If you've got the space to keep it safe until its a bit bigger, hang on to it. Otherwise, where are you and I'll see whether there's a British Waterfowl Association member with domestic geese near you.
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Hi, thanks for all your replies, im in Gloucester. Im hoping that it is female. Although I dont know how to sex geese.
Thank you
Emily
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You won't be able to sex until older. I have autosexing geese - mine are West of England - so like the Pilgrims, I can tell from hatch what they are but most geese you have to wait until they're mature, like most ducks too. Do you want me to look up somebody close or are you going to try and raise it? Slimbridge must be quite close to you, aren't they? Not that they'd take a domestic goose but they might have local links to waterfowl breeders.
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I was thinking of trying to raise it myself. But if you have details, incase things dont pan out and my current geese take a serious dislike to it, that would be great. Im not far from Slimbridge.
Thank you
Emily