[LeeHambone]

Hi all, bit of help please if you can....

We've been breeding and hatching Toulouse geese for a few years now, and other than the odd deformed foot from a poor hatch, we've had no actual health problems until this one.

One of our eldest gander goslings at about 8 weeks old suddenly went off colour, seemed to slow down, didn't stick with the others, didn't eat much, but seemed to drink all the time. After maybe three days he was much better so cancelled the vet appointment and assumed he'd just eaten something that disagreed with him (they have been free ranging our garden and pretty much eaten everything) However, he still seems a bit 'off'. Not much, but just a little slower.

The only thing I have noticed is that he bites at his feet a lot. The others don't do it at all. I've checked his feet but can't see anything. Any ideas anyone? I genuinely cannot work out what could be wrong, or if anything is even wrong

Thanks

[Anke]

Nettles in your garden? Given that his feet will still be quite soft at this stage?

[LeeHambone]

We only had one or two in the garden. They are up at the field now where there are loads more nettles but no sign of identical issues with the others although they actually seem to avoid them. And it's now been going on for a few weeks without improving or getting worse, I'd imagine nettle stings would stop after a day. I'll keep on eye out for that though, thanks

[Richmond]

Are they being reared by you or a broody goose? Presume they are on clean ground which should rule out gizzard worm? Other than that he could have eaten something horrible and taken a little while to get over it.

[LeeHambone]

Hi, yes reared by us. The ground he was on when it started was totally clean, hadn't had any birds on it whatsoever bar wild birds I suppose.

I've now noticed small bruises on his feet but can't determine whether it is part of what's wrong or because he is pecking at them

[doganjo]

I imagine you'd have seen mites if you were checking his feet.  Sorry cant come up with any other suggestions