Goose

Handling of a Goose

Fold your arms and upper body over the wings and back of the goose, hug firmly, and lift. If you lose a wing, put the bird down immediately and start over. If a goose is struggling or seems very stressed, set her or him down for a moment and start again. Allow the goose to calm down during restraint before starting treatments or grooming.

Health Care for a Goose

Maintenance

As with all animals, sanitary housing, clean pasture, nutritious food and plenty of sunshine will greatly reduce health problems. Like canines or felines, geese may need to have their toenails clipped, especially if they are not very mobile. Trimming nails is very similar to trimming canine or feline nails, a Beastcrafter can teach the procedure.

During contact with geese, always be on the lookout for any physical or behavioral changes. In particular, watch for: diarrhea, listlessness, pale coloring, loss of appetite and coughing. If any of these symptoms are noticed, consult with a Beastcrafter. It can be difficult to find a Beastcrafter who is willing to treat geese because of the rarity of owning them, but they do exist. The best bet is finding someone who works with avians and other non-traditional animals.

Common health problems

• Worms - Worms are generally not a problem with small flocks of geese. Medication to treat worms in geese can be obtained from a Beastcrafter. Loss of weight and greatly increased feed consumption are signs of worm infestations.

• Respiratory problems - Respiratory problems are usually indicated by snuffly breathing, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite. If any of these symptoms are noticed, contact a Beastcrafter for treatment.

Nutritional Needs of the Goose

• Water

Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. The use of a fountain is recommended to avoid spilling and to keep water as clean as possible. In warmer weather, check water often throughout the day. For colder weather, try to keep water from freezing if you live in an area that has freezing temperatures.

• Feed

It is recommended to mix cracked corn, oats, and wheat together for feeding geese. It is a good mixture and provides the avians with a variety and good source of nutrition in their diet. Geese generally self-regulate their food intake; however, it is noticed a goose is exceeding his/her normal weight, restrict the amount of feed per day.

Greens supply further variety in a goose's diet. Geese may also enjoy fruit treats; these are a great source of vitamins, but should be kept to a minimum.

• Feeders

Choose a container that is heavy enough to avoid tipping and small enough to prevent geese from walking or standing in their feed, as this can lead to contamination by feces. Geese may like to get their food wet, so always supply fresh food on a daily basis, and discard old feed.

Physiology of the Goose

The average lifespan for geese is estimated at 6-8 turns. Mature female geese weigh between 15-23 pounds and mature male geese (ganders) weigh between 20 -28 pounds. A goose's normal body temperature is 107.5 degrees F, with young birds ranging between 102-106 degrees F.

Shelter Requirements for a Goose

Building

A small out-building is a suitable shelder for geese. A good size is 10' x 12' as this is high enough for the caretaker to walk comfortably inside. The shelter must be waterproof, predator proof, and well ventilated. Plenty of clean dry straw should always be provided for bedding, and wet and soiled bedding should be removed on a daily basis. Cleaning the entire shelter on a sevenday basis is recommended (i.e. scrub floors, walls, etc.). The shelter should also be equipped with roosts. An unopened straw bale makes a terrific roost for geese. For protection from predators, your geese must be kept safely in their shelter at night if they do not have access to a large pond to escape into.

Pond

Geese need water to bathe and swim. This is necessary to keep them both happy and healthy. If there is not a pond or small lake that can be fenced in, construct a small pool of water. The water will need to be changed (at least) every other day, or else contamination and disease will result. Bovine containers make good "ponds", but a small ramp would have to be constructed for the geese to get in and out of the water. If there is a natural spring or stream on the property where the geese are kept, a pond can be built. If the geese are kept in an area with freezing temperatures, the pond or pool will need to be closed to avoid the geese getting frozen into the water.

Fencing

Fencing is necessary to keep predators out and geese in. A five foot high fence is recommended. If the fence is too flimsy predators can easily break through it.