Author Topic: Can goslings and chicks be mixed? Do we need a hen to look after them? (Read 5101 times)

AilsavanRooyen · « **on:** March 30, 2016, 11:39:46 am »

Hi all. We have been incubating a dozen hen eggs and a half dozen goose eggs, started at the same time so geese shall be a week or so behind. My questions are:
Can we keep them together whilst young or will the goslings peck the chicks to injury and beyond?
Should we try a hen with them to keep them a little warmer at night or should we go for a heat lamp or similar and not risk the possible peckings of reluctant 'mum'?
If we do keep them together do we feed just chick crumb, or wildfowl + goose crumb? They will of course show no discernment between 2 types so might as well stick to one if they are together, so is either one good for both?
At what age do other people 'release' to the free ranging environment (without cover)?

Maybe should of thought of these questions before now...but you know, lots happening at this time of year!

Many many thanks for feedback,

Ailsa

mentalmilly · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2016, 06:24:08 pm »

I had 2 goslings hatch last year and put them with 6 day old chicks for company. The chicks were smaller than the goslings and proceeded to beat up the poor things so we had to move the goslings to a safe place. The were side by side but if one of the chicks got out it went for the goslings which were much bigger but total cowards. They all ate chick crumbs without any additives when they were little until they went on to growers pellets. They got their own back when they were bigger and beat up the chickens.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2016, 08:29:54 pm »

Much the same. One gosling hatched a week after 20 odd chicks. Gosling just wanted to cuddle the chicks but was bullied. I have a big brooder, so I put a smaller cage within it with gosling and the smallest chick. Got on fine. After a week let them all in together, no problem.jist chick crumb and ground up grain. Really enjoyed some grass too. Husband just reminded me how close a bond runty chick and goose formed. Always had it on its back or nearby and would go for any birds that tried to hen peck it.

Also my saddest poultry experience. Orange chick turned out to be a runty cockerel with a lopsided tail so I dispatched. Goose almost cried the next day. I have never felt so guilty. She stopped eating and just sat at my feet. So I got her a gander for a mate.

AilsavanRooyen · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2016, 10:19:48 pm »

Well how about that - I was not expecting the goslings to get the sharp end of the deal! How interesting. Geese of course imprint on the first 'beings' that they see so perhaps they saw the chicks as their family/carers. Imprinting on us is preferred! So maybe we try after a week or so, when the goslings are a week and the chicks are 2, then see how they fare. But seperate meantime. I think we'll keep our hens out of the picture.
Aw Steph, that is a sad story! Thank you to your husband and me for raking up ol memories!
Course, we might not get any successful hatchings, but here's hoping.
Many thanks for your help MentalMilly and Steph Hen.
Ailsa

Steph Hen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2016, 07:57:30 am »

It's ok

Goose also made a great pet - I was mum. Used to bring her in to watch tv, go for walks, take her to our pond to go swimming. Sometimes went in the car! she was totally chilled out (this lessened as she grew up, then after the cockerel/gander episode she became a proper goose and no longer wanted cuddles.

Although one time dog bit her and it was like she knew I would help her. Came over to me, in the house, had a bath upstairs and then sat on my lap while used tweezers to pull feathers and dirt out of the wound, drive over to my neighbour the vet and back, then turned back into a proper goose again. They're cool animals. Have a much greater IQ than chickens! Best of luck with them

.
Ps. It's probably only a few days while the goslings are new and finding they're feet at the chicks go for them - like if there's a late hatch chick; they'll try to kill one that's slower or sleepier than them. Once goose is up and going they'll be better, but I think introductions are best made as early as possible - or with Perspex or cage between them so they can see each other but do no damage.

harmony · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2016, 08:41:39 am »

The biggest problem keeping waterfowl and chickens together after hatching is that waterfowl can splash water about and chicks get wet and cold.

You can't just put them in with a hen after hatching unless she is clocking and you slip them under her in the dark and she thinks she has hatched them.

devonlady · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2016, 09:31:29 am »

And they will definitely need a source of warmth, if not a broody hen then a heat lamp.

waddy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2016, 10:32:21 pm »

If the eggs are in the same incubator you may find increasing the humidity at day 18 for the hen chicks to hatch may have an adverse effect on the goose hatch. If they don't lose enough weight to pip please be aware you may need to help them out which can have problems associated with it.

Helen