Geese drooling: water drips or something stuck?
One of my six has had liquid dripping off her bill for two days. At first I assumed it was water from the trough because they are all filthy drinkers, but it seems more constant than the others and it looks stringier than water.
She is still grazing and keeping up with the rest, no smell that I have noticed. Is there a way to tell ordinary mess from a goose with a problem before I try to catch her and look in her mouth?
@scoops_and_tilts · 20h ago · 3 replies
Ordinary mess is water and a bit of muddy liquid dripping after she has been eating or drinking, and the bird is otherwise grazing, walking and honking normally. They drink by scooping and tilting back, they dunk their heads to clean the bill and nostrils, and they mix food with water as they eat. All of that drips.
Stringy and constant rather than after a drink is the version that is worth catching her for. You have described something in between, which is why looking is the right next step.
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@water_off_the_bill · 20h ago
If I do find something in there, do I pull it out or leave it?
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@string_in_the_grass · 14h ago
Depends entirely what it is. Loose grass, fine. Anything that feels anchored, especially fishing line or string, do not pull. It can be wrapped round something further down and pulling does far more damage than leaving it for a vet.
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