Goose

Bumblefoot

SignsSwollen sole, black scab, holding one foot up, sitting down, reluctance to walk

PreventionAvoid hard ground and concrete; keep on grass or soil. Keep water area and bedding clean and dry

Angular limb deformity

SignsGosling's legs bend outward, splayed legs, swollen joints, unable to stand

PreventionAvoid high-protein feed for goslings; raise on waterfowl feed. Remove slippery flooring and allow exercise

Angel wing

SignsDuring growth the wingtip feathers twist outward and stick out; the wing cannot be folded

PreventionDo not give goslings bread or high-calorie food. Keep the diet grass-based and do not speed up growth

Aspergillosis

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, wheezing, lethargy, weight loss; sudden death is possible

PreventionNever use moldy straw, bedding or feed. Replace damp bedding daily and ventilate

Lead poisoning

SignsStaggering, green diarrhea, drooping wings, loss of appetite, drooping neck and weakness

PreventionRemove shot, fishing sinkers and old paint chips from the yard. Beware of mud at the water's edge

Egg binding / oviduct prolapse

SignsStraining in spring, hunching, swollen vent, red tissue protruding

PreventionSupplement calcium during the laying season. Avoid obesity and provide a quiet nesting spot

Wing fracture / bruising

PreventionEliminate narrow doorways and gaps in wire mesh. When catching, hold the body with the wings pinned

First aidHold the wing against the body and secure lightly with a bandage or towel. Flapping makes it worse, so rest in a dark box and see the vet the same day

Foot laceration / dislocation

PreventionRemove wire, glass and sharp edges from the yard. Eliminate steps and mesh flooring

First aidRinse dirt off under running water and apply pressure with a clean cloth. Do not let it walk; put it in a box and see the vet the same day. Do not force the leg straight

Predator bites

PreventionAlways shut in the coop at night. Bury the mesh into the ground and lock the coop

First aidApply pressure to bleeding and keep warm. Hidden wounds infect easily, so see the vet the same day even if the wound looks small

Bill injury

PreventionDo not let them chew on wire mesh. Separate birds that fight

First aidPress clean gauze on bleeding. Eating is hard, so place soft food and water nearby and see the vet the same day

Avian influenza

RouteContact with droppings, feathers and secretions; droplets

PreventionBlock contact with wild birds. Use dedicated clothing for chores and wash hands. Report unusual deaths to the Livestock Hygiene Service Center

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands, water areas or eggs contaminated with droppings

PreventionAlways wash hands with soap after chores. Do not wash eggs; cook them before eating

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from water or hands contaminated with droppings

PreventionNever drink from the water area or eat with hands that touched it. Children wash hands after contact

Chlamydiosis (psittacosis)

RouteInhaling dust from dried droppings and secretions

PreventionWear a mask when cleaning the coop. Wet dried droppings with water before cleaning

Food

• Staple is grass and hay (enough space to graze fresh grass all day)
• Supplement with waterfowl or poultry formulated feed morning and evening
• Goslings get waterfowl starter. Avoid high-protein broiler feed

Water

• Water deep enough to dunk the whole head, available at all times. Change at least once a day
• Place water near the feed so they can rinse feed stuck in the bill

Toys & play

• A shallow pond or tub (essential for swimming and preening)
• Grazing on pasture is itself the best enrichment
• A gravel bathing area (also provides grit for digestion)

Nest, bed & hideout

• A laying space in a corner of the coop with thick straw
• A shaded coop and rain shelter that fits the whole flock

Bedding & litter

• Thick dry straw or wheat straw; replace wet parts daily
• Soil or grass floor rather than concrete. Gravel around the water area
• They cannot be house-trained. Droppings are plentiful, so clean daily

Cage / housing material

Wooden coop plus wire mesh. Bury the mesh at least 30 cm underground

Size & space

At least 1 sq m of coop per bird and 10 sq m or more of run

Layout

• Keep water and feed close together but away from the sleeping area
• Wide, step-free coop entrance (prevents wing and foot injuries)
• Provide shade, rain shelter and a windbreak in the run

Placement notes

• Net or roof the run too so wild birds cannot get in
• They are loud, so be considerate of neighbors

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let them graze freely in a fenced pasture during the day
• Let them into water every day. Without it, feathers lose their waterproofing
• No leashes for walks; keep them inside an escape-proof fence

Temperature & humidity

Temperature5–25°C. Tolerates cold well but poorly tolerates heat

HumidityDry enough for bedding to stay dry. High humidity causes mold and foot disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: provide shade and cool water; spray with water above 30°C
• Winter: watch for frozen water; lay thick straw in the coop

Nail trimming

Usually worn down naturally on soil and gravel. If overgrown, trim only the tip, avoiding the blood vessel

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. Maintained by daily bathing and preening. Feathers that have lost their oil are a sign of illness

Other care

Let them rinse a dirty bill in water. Feather loss during the summer molt is normal. Check the soles weekly

Protection from predators

• Foxes, raccoon dogs, weasels and stray dogs attack at night. Always lock up at night
• Crows and kites target goslings and eggs. Keep goslings in a roofed enclosure
• Contact with wild birds risks avian influenza. Cover the feeding area

Foreign-body ingestion

They swallow fishing line, hooks, screws and lead fragments. Pick up metal scraps in the yard and keep them away from water near fishing spots

Being stepped on

A person or vehicle stepping on a foot causes fractures and lacerations. They tend to come to your feet, so watch where you step

Getting pinched

Necks and wings get caught in coop doors and fence gaps. Avoid self-closing doors and keep gaps under 5 cm

Falls

Flightless breeds falling from a height break wings or legs. Keep steps and ramps gentle

Escape

For breeds that can fly, clip the flight feathers or add a roof. If one escapes, lure it with food and flockmates' calls; do not chase it

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and put an arm or object in front of your body to protect your neck
2. Back away slowly, breaking eye contact, to gain distance
3. Put a board or bucket between you before it strikes with its wings
4. It calms down as soon as you leave the nest or goslings, so do not try to catch it

After the release

Wash bite marks and wing bruises under running water and disinfect. If the skin is broken and there is swelling or fever, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Breed, age, weight; feed and water conditions; whether there are metal fragments in the yard; video of symptoms; photo of droppings

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check whether it lifts its head to your voice or a sound
• Watch the chest rise and fall (normal is about 20 breaths per minute)
• Normal heart rate is about 100–200 per minute. Check with a hand on the chest

Stopping bleeding

• For bleeding at a feather base, press with gauze for 5 minutes; pull a broken feather shaft out from the root
• For bleeding from a foot or bill, press with a clean cloth and use styptic powder or cornstarch
• Bleeding will not stop in water, so keep it out of the water area until it stops

Transport

• Line a large cardboard box or dog carrier with straw and keep it dark
• Hold the wings against the body and wrap in a towel. In summer, avoid overcooling