Aggrssive Geese

[wyldehorses]

I have 2 sebastapol geese and one Tolouse goose. One of the sebastapols and the tolouse have always been a little "mouthy". They seemed to nibble at hands and fingers, (I would push them away in a firm manner) but now they are coming after me. The tolouse grabbed my thigh yesterday and I have a 4inch bruise. After breeding season (I have no desire to breed geese right now) will they settle down to their former, mostly docile nature or is this just how adult geese are? I showed them last year and would like to do so again.

Is there any type of behavior modification training that could be effective?

Yolonda

[Evy]

I have 2 sebastapol geese and one Tolouse goose. One of the sebastapols and the tolouse have always been a little "mouthy". They seemed to nibble at hands and fingers, (I would push them away in a firm manner) but now they are coming after me. The tolouse grabbed my thigh yesterday and I have a 4inch bruise. After breeding season (I have no desire to breed geese right now) will they settle down to their former, mostly docile nature or is this just how adult geese are? I showed them last year and would like to do so again.

Is there any type of behavior modification training that could be effective?

Yolonda
Tis the season..... You may have to resort to some goose-wrestling. Pushing him away is a little like sparring. You may have to grab his neck, take him down & sit on him...literally...to show him who's in charge. It sounds like you've done the right thing in not making pets of them, but they still are too familiar with the nibbling. You're part of the flock & now he's challenging you for leadership. Get tough. It's always better if they know who's boss & respect that.
We get this every spring, especially from people who've raised them like puppies & are surprised & hurt when they turn on them. Sebs are pretty laid back & like AM. Buffs, tend to be less aggressive. Still, any adult goose can inflict a lot of damage.

[wyldehorses]

Thanks Evy! You're great! Always got the quick answer!

As long as there is hope they'll settle down I'll let em stay. I let them have some turn out in the yard today and that helped. I thought it might be breeding season aggression (I have to wear gloves and long pants to feed everybody this time of year!)

Yolonda

[Patrick]

This is one time I'll have to disagree with some of what Evy said. You already have made pets out of them in alowing them to get to the "nibbling" stage. Oh how cute it is, but now you're reaping the results, like so many before you. Once started, that behavior is very difficult to break, especially by folks who seem enclined to let it begin in the first place. The behavior modicfication should have begun long ago, and most of it should have been your own, unfortunately. It is partly breeding season aggression starting to kick in, but once started, it usually stays, as they are getting mature as well as hormonal.

[cegs]

My sister got two Super African goslings from me last year and I told her not to make pets out of them. She got them for watch dogs for the yard. She still did try to make pets and since they are now full grown ganders they are what most would call “very mean“. They have been fighting with her to the point where they would grab them by the neck and take them down like Evy said. I told her I didn’t think it would work because they would keep challenging her for top goose. Instead I told her to get a spray bottle and fill with vinegar and spray it in their face when they charge up to them. She sprayed them a couple times and now they wont come near her. I told her not to slip up and try to be nice to them now because you can’t have it both ways. If she wants to keep them in her yard they have to fear her and run the other way when they see her. I don’t think you can change a goose once it thinks you are part of the flock. So, in my opinion the best thing to do is keep them away from you. The vinegar has worked so far for my sister.

[wyldehorses]

I feel my "relationship" with the geese may have been misunderstood. They are not pets. I bought them 3/4 grown with the intent of taking them to some of the smaller county fairs in the area. Most of the fairs offer a decent premium for the Champion Goose and very few people ever exhibit them.

From the time I brought them home they were "mouthy" with everything they came into contact. Chairs, buckets, swimming pool, cats, and and myself. When they attempted to nibble at me or my clothes, I would firmly push them away. If that didn't work, I would grab their beaks and shake them a little. If that didn't work I was, and am still not above a swift kick. It's just been within the past few weeks that they have truly been aggressive, culminating in the bruised thigh while I had my head turned to empty a water bucket.

To be able to exhibit them at the smaller fairs, I need to be able to handle them. Most of these fairs only have a few cages, and exhibitors are expected to bring their animals to the center of the barn for the judges inspection. Last year was a success at these shows, as the geese not only paid for themselves, but also cleared enough in winnings to pay for their food.

My handling of the geese has consisted of picking them up to be carried, bathing them, trimming and odd toe nail, spreading their wings to check feather condition, feeling the breast bone, and just sort of anything I have seen a judge do. These handlings are few and far between.

If this has given the geese the impression that they are pets, they are mistaken. I have over 400 exhibition and breeding bantams and large fowl, a couple of horses, too many cats with no names, and a full time job. I care for all of them by myself. I have too many chores and too little time for pets. I have only one pet, a dog. And he is also expected to conform to a certain level of behavior in addition to his duties as a guard. It has been to my benefit to allow the dog to become extremely attached, as I am now part of his pack, and noone is allowed too near me. Living alone in an isolated area, this relationship has benefitted me. The rest of the animals are not pets, they don't wear cute little sweaters they don't even have names (Except of course for the registered horses.) And should any of them have the misfortune of becoming unmanageable, ill beyond my limited veterinary abilities, or no longer of any use, they are expendable.

Yolonda

[Patrick]

Term your "relationship" however you like, yet you're still having the problems. I've yet to talk with a serious breeder/exhibitor who has any kind of problems of the pet goose kind. We just don't let them start in the first place, period. At real poultry shows, one need not do any of the activities you describe, except maybe be lucky enough to have to move one's bird to CH Row.

[wyldehorses]

I will have to agree that Champion row at an approved show is much more impressive. Been there done that. Last year was my best yet. Two res. Ch. bantams and a res. Ch. Large fowl. This year's goal- champion bantam.

Yolonda

[Evy]

I think the problem was well established BEFORE you bought them, not of your making. Geese are probably the most intelligent of domestic poultry. The nibbling is their curious way of inspecting everything. They've just grown up having no fear / respect for humans. You may always have to keep an eye on this gander but being the dominent one should get through to him eventually. When you take him down, keep him there for several minutes rather than letting him think he can win the next round. Spraying something caustic in a birds eyes is unnesessarly cruel. You don't want them afraid of you if you're showing them, just realizing you're the boss. If you hatch some of your own, you'll know what NOT to do raising them. That's the hard part...they're too darn cute !

[goosedragon]

I think the problem was well established BEFORE you bought them, not of your making. Geese are probably the most intelligent of domestic poultry. The nibbling is their curious way of inspecting everything. They've just grown up having no fear / respect for humans. You may always have to keep an eye on this gander but being the dominent one should get through to him eventually. When you take him down, keep him there for several minutes rather than letting him think he can win the next round. Spraying something caustic in a birds eyes is unnesessarly cruel. You don't want them afraid of you if you're showing them, just realizing you're the boss. If you hatch some of your own, you'll know what NOT to do raising them. That's the hard part...they're too darn cute !

Evy, It was 'cegs' not 'wyldehorses' that was talking about vinegar spraying. If it was ACV (I wonder if G Heywood is still around?)or the same strength it isn't that caustic, as I have it on the salads my doctor insists I should eat instead of the Blue Cheese that I like...Except for my first two, where I made every newby mistake in the book my geese respected me and even responded to verbal orders but that did not stop them from sneaking up on me and well 'gooseing' me. If I turned and caught them before they tagged me they could look so involved in grazing that they had no ideal I was there. Even pet geese (as mine were) can be taught to behave if you are firm enough.

[wyldehorses]

No, I don't think I could use the vinegar. I've gotten it in cuts and it is too caustic for me to consider spraying in an animal's eyes. (Boot on the other end - well that's a different story.)

I've let the geese out of their pen a couple of times this week, and they are much more respectful of my person than they are in their pen. Are geese territorial?

Outside the pen, all I had to do was take a few brisk steps toward them and they went back to the area by their pen.

Unfortunately, I am going to have to severly discipline the wheelbarrow and picnic table for spoiling the geese, and allowing them to nibble on them! Bad table, bad wheelbarrow!

Yolonda

[littlebit6657]

Just my two cents, my toulouse always get "mean" during breeding season and go right back to their docile selves the rest of the year. I personally back my geese up by assuming the ganders posture, bending my head down and hissing back at him til he backs up. He either thinks I am the more dominate goose, or he thinks I am freaking crazy and he is laughing not hissing.

[kycalls]

I have seen Yolanda attend and do very well at alot "real" poultry shows...gosh I must have seen her attend at least 10 real shows last year alone.

Yolanda, as you know my wife has a whole herd of Sebs running around here and all the ganders get down right mean during breeding season, I have been tagged from behind several times already this spring for getting too close to the girls. Our geese go back to their normal sunny selfs after all the breeding is over with...and our Sebs are not pets or handled..only when my wife makes me throw one in a box to take to a show. They do seem to go after the kids for no reason at all during this timeline...I admit to knocking one gander silly with a plastic coffee can to the head the other day for attacking my 4 yr old for walking in front of the barn.....it seemed pretty effective. I stay away from them, except to gather their eggs during breeding season...well really I stay away from them all year round except to put out their feed.

Jerry

[kycalls]

Oh one more thing...can you send me a picture of you doing the gander stance, Donna. Your grandson misses you...dangit.

Jer

[littlebit6657]

Jerry,
Give him big hugs for me. If you buy me enough drinks next time I see you, you might get to see it..LOL

[kycalls]

I have my wifes credit card!!

[littlebit6657]

Jer, Rick said it probably looks something like trying to get away from a donkey.

[kycalls]

now Donna, you know we are not supposed to bring up "Donkeys" around Jerry.
You going to the Oklahoma show this year? I will bring a new baby for you to carry around....LOL

Rebecca

[littlebit6657]

Rebecca,
LOL. I am hoping to especially since I was thinkin there was gonna be a new baby there.Yeah!!

[ultasol]

I have a yearling Buff American gander that I have never handled more than moving him from the nest to the brooder, moving out on pasture, and worming. He generally avoids me but even he will sometimes challenge me. So far the worst gander this season is the sebastopol, who is not tame but I got as a close to full grown bird.

I just expect ganders to be bad at this time of year, and I don't trust them.

[Rainplace]

I have a yearling Buff American gander that I have never handled more than moving him from the nest to the brooder, moving out on pasture, and worming. He generally avoids me but even he will sometimes challenge me. So far the worst gander this season is the sebastopol, who is not tame but I got as a close to full grown bird.

I just expect ganders to be bad at this time of year, and I don't trust them.

Ultasol, are you still getting rid of your buffs? I might be interested in picking them up from you when I head to Oregon later this month. I've had a heck of a last few months dealing with the zoning people and will be moving most of the flock over to the 60 acre farm I work on. I'll have more than enough room now to get seriously into geese.

[fowlfriend]

I have an older Toulouse goose from a rescue and she has paired her self to a goose and gander and acts like a body guard. she chases off the other gander on the property. BUT the kicker is she will attack any duck that gets near her and the young female she "protects". she has ruoughed up a few male ducks while they pursue the girls around the yard. Any ideas how to alleviate this behavior or she will have to go. IF this behavior ca n't be remedied, any thoughts on where to take her. i.e rescues

[ritterhahn]

The oven! Goose is delicious rosted. An under-appreciated food in America.

Richard

[Patrick]

I agree, but first string her up in the market place, a la "A Christmas Carol", as a warning for all those who must make pets out of goslings, as to how their "babies" will end up as a result of their "love".

[ritterhahn]

We kept geese for the Christmas goose, and some turkeys for the same holiday. I recall hearing that the geese would harass the ducks if their numbers were uneven. Ah, goose liver – a food almost too good to be real.

I find it strange, some of the questions here: ‘what is wrong with the animal’ when the husbandry is what is really wrong. Animals easily become neurotic when THEIR needs are not understood and satisfied.

We are grown too emotional, too given to shallow edification. Dogs, cats, geese, children indulged, overfed yet still malnourished, pampered and coddled into unhappiness. Then we are surprised when they become antisocial. Why must we try to be Snow White and make nature into harmless pets?

I got beaten by a goose when I was young (I tried to have a peep at their nest in the early Spring). Father punished me – for not remembering what I ought to have known: don’t fiddle with the geese in the breeding season!

[fowlfriend]

She is an older goose and my wife is against her demise, but we are racking up vet bills treating the unfortuneate drake that gets near her and her two charges. the lone gander is a very pleasant dude, but hte toulouse goose is terror for the ducks, not to the humans who provide care and food. they share a large fenced in yard, but maybe not large enough

[ultasol]

Some geese are just not compatible yard mates with ducks. They should be separated. I do not keep my geese and ducks together during breeding season, and outside of breeding season it is still a risk.

[precious]

I have a yong white chinese gander. He is about 6-7 months old, he was hatched here and raised by my indoor American Buff goose along with a brother and sister. The other gander is normal I guess, not super friendly but not mean. The girl is great very sweet
My problem goose is name Precious he hatched 7 days late, and looked a bit diffrent. His head had a bit of a bump and was also a bit flatter and his eyes were a bit higher. He looked so cute that is why he was named Precious. I realy didn't think he would live.
He started biting right away. When I moved him from the hatching box to the heated one he latched on and twisted. (we had a problem with my buff eating the shells as they hatched so I gave them back once they were dry)
He has been off ever since. He is not the normal kind of aggresive. He doesn't hiss, he only raises his wings a bit (not all the way) once he is into it. He does fluff latley. He will charge anything that moves including a peice of paper grab it and try to kill it. He bites hard and twists his head, he doesn't let go I have to pry him off. He also attacks rocks, fence posts and cars I have gotten to the point of 5 brusies or less a day is a good day. He has drawn blood. He has killed 2 ducklings and hurt my 75 pound dog and smaller dogs. He chases and will bite my son if I don't catch him.
Latley he has started fighting his brother over the pool and I have to keep a fence between them. I let everyone out for a walk and streatch twice a day, there pen is suffiecnt but I feel they need to run and play, sometimes they get into it then to. Mainly it is because he is biting me and my other boy gets between us and Precious hates that and I have to pull them apart. At witch point I get bit by him pretty bad again.
I love the goose and won't put him down like a lot of people tell me I should and I won't rehome him as some one else would. I need help on how to at least make him safe. He will listen to NO some times if I say it just right and point at him, he bitches about it but backs off. Till later at least.
I have sat on him it doesn't work, as soon as I let him up his mouth is latched on to me again before he even turns around. I have to do it like 4 times in a row to get through to him, this is like every day. I have a friend who told me she does this with her goose but only 2-3 times a year.
Please help me

[Angela]

Why in heaven's name, would you keep this creature? He is obviously dangerous. Do you have children?
You can not control this bird. He is dangerous. You have been given the best advice possible under the situation...either sell him, or put him down. You have chosen to do neither....so deal with it. That may sound harsh, but that's the reality. You stated that he wasn't right...so why do you think that you can train him? I get it, you love the bird....so if you chose to keep him, quit griping about his behavior.

Gosh that sounds mean, even for me.....

Geese are not pets. China geese can be petulant even at the best of times. If this bird is "damaged", there will be NO controling his behavior. He is old enough that his behavior is set. Other then tuning him up with a shovel when he gets to close...you're stuck. How many other animals are you going to allow to suffer?

[jungle]

You have created this monster and you need to deal with it now. There is no magic answer that will let you keep it under horrible conditions and make it act in a way that you are comfortable with. Geese are NOT indoor pets and should not be denied the pleasure of living the life they evolved to live OUTDOORS. You are not giving the animal a better life, you are not making things easier for the creature. Don't even waste your time trying to tell me how much they LOVE living in the house because they obviously DO NOT. You do not even have the sense to recognize the attacks on you and your family as the problem that they are. You are only feeding your own desire to have something that you want, they way you want, under the conditions you want and have now found out that it does not work that way. You cannot puppet this poor animal to satisfy your whimsy. If you came here looking for support you are sadly mistaken. In this forum we keep poultry in a responsible and respectful way for the ANIMAL and not to satisfy our own cravings. Forcing poultry to live indoors is considered cruelty here and you will not likely find the type of support you seek. The suggestions that other people have given you are sound and should be followed. Your refusal to listen to reason clearly illustrates your inablilty to understand proper animal care. For the sake of the poultry, please stop keeping them and get a yorkie that will actually appreciate being treated like a lap pet.

[precious]

He does not live in the house, as soon as he and his siblings were old enough they moved outside. Even the Buff is outside all day and some nights she comes in when she wants to and during very cold or bad weather.
I refuse to give up on any creature that is mentaly unstable, I have deppression and if my parents had given up on me I would be dead. I am on good meds and in a situation that works for me now. My son is autistic, I could have given up on him and put him in a home but I don't believe being unstable as some say ,is my son's fault my fault or this birds fault.
I don' cuddle my birds I will hold my indoor goose now and then and I pick them up when I need to move them or put them somewhere, otherwise they are treated like geese. They have pools good food and a nice pen. They have shade and room to play, they enjoy staying out and sitting in the sun and pools. My birds do goose things they eat bugs, forage for grass and other foods. They dig holes and play in the mud, they are given hours to play and flap and run and enjoy being alive.
I am sorry if you have the impression that these are babies that I coddle and spoil and hold and fuss over. The one I mentioned hurt his foot the other day, I picked him up cleaned it quickly put some spray on it and put him back down that was it all done. The other boy got stuck in a corner a week ago I went over put my hand on his chest lifted just enough to help him move and left him alone. The girl has been pretty good so far just got in a tight spot once and a bit scared, I moved the board and she got out and walked out.
I do give treats of lettuce and corn and watermelon if that is spoiling them so sorry but it is healthy for them. 2 of them and my older girl will eat out of my hand.
If one of my birds got injured and it was bad I would have no choice but to have my dad butcher it for dinner. I know that. But after working at an animal shelter and helping put down healthy animals is just not something I can do any more. Precious may be unbalanced but he is healty.
He does have good times. I have been able to work around him fixing the pen for 3 days now and he only came at me once but backed up when I said NO. So he is able to work with I just need to learn a few tricks of the trade.
I was hoping you guys would help but you seem to only want to slam me for having him. If you don't have any ideas for me to try just don't answer me. Ignore me. I understand most people would not work with this goose but I feel the need to.
He is not a monster and I did not create him. He came into the world like that. I have worked with him his whole life and put several hours a day into working with him one on one. I had a horse rescue and had horses no one else would touch, I was able turn them around. But these are my first geese and birds are alot diffrent. Even if your attitude is that I spend to much time with him I am sorry. But works for a time until he just blows again. So I am just being patient at this point. It is more a respect thing rather than love as you would call it. I respect him for who he is and what he is. I am hopping one day he will respect me.
So if you have any good ideas please let me know, thanks and put him down won't work. If you think he needs his own house in his own pen or anything like that. Right now he has his own shaded pen with his own pool and stays in the goose house at night with Tubby they seem good together at night but let me know if you think I should get him a seperate house to. I point at him when I say NO is there another word or had signal i should use. He is smart and can learn i just need to know how to teach him. He can be very sweet every once in a while. I just want to get more good days, I don't expect him to be sweet all the time or even often but he needs to be safe.
In parting anyone going to say to kill him, put him down, that I created a monster or anything else don't talk to me. I would love to hear good idea though

[jungle]

Unfortunately, you will never find the day he respects you because you raised him to dominate you. You had him in the house, handled him, got him used to you and now he wants to dominate you. You can't turn that back. That is how poultry works. They are not horses, dogs, cats, etc... There have been many discussions on here about NOT imprinting waterfowl unless you want ot deal with what you have now.

[Angela]

In parting anyone going to say to kill him, put him down, that I created a monster or anything else don't talk to me. I would love to hear good idea though

I've this really strong feeling that you are a very young person...that is not meant as a criticism. You are not experienced with birds, so listen and try to learn from those of us who are.

Since you are firm about keeping this creature....let me give you some advice...since I have raised quite a few geese, and made every mistake that you can think of. Try to listen and learn.

China geese are flocking creatures....therefore you will need at least two. That said, understand that you are jeopardizing the health and well being of any other bird that comes in contact with the twisted goose. He is aggressive, and that will not change. He is also obviously territorial, so be cautious...Chinas do not attack direct, but from behind...where they think that you cannot see them.

He needs to be segregated. So, figure a good sized pen, with shelter, and a small pool for water. Carry a big stick, or be prepared to kick him as he will attack on occasion.

Good luck

[precious]

he dose have his own pen and pen with lots of shade. I raise all my birds hands on this is the ony one with this issues. he comes from behind but also from the side and front. he does not have a favorite spot

[jungle]

You refuse to listen to anything that anyone has told you to do. There is no magic way to cure this. The animal is aggressive and will not be "tamed". Comparing this animal to a person with depression or autism is in no way accurate. It is what it is and you have already determined that behavior modification is not working. You say that you don't want to give up on the goose? What about your autistic child? How safe is he while his mother protects the goose that attacks him? You need to get your priorities straight and realize that sometimes you cannot have everything you want. Have some responsibility and put the thing down. If the head is misshapen and it attacks fenceposts then it is obviously has issues that cannot be fixed with training. If you won't take any advice you're given then why are you here?

[Patrick]

He does not live in the house, as soon as he and his siblings were old enough they moved outside. Even the Buff is outside all day and some nights she comes in when she wants to and during very cold or bad weather.
I refuse to give up on any creature that is mentaly unstable, I have deppression and if my parents had given up on me I would be dead. I am on good meds and in a situation that works for me now. My son is autistic, I could have given up on him and put him in a home but I don't believe being unstable as some say ,is my son's fault my fault or this birds fault.
I don' cuddle my birds I will hold my indoor goose now and then and I pick them up when I need to move them or put them somewhere, otherwise they are treated like geese. They have pools good food and a nice pen. They have shade and room to play, they enjoy staying out and sitting in the sun and pools. My birds do goose things they eat bugs, forage for grass and other foods. They dig holes and play in the mud, they are given hours to play and flap and run and enjoy being alive.
I am sorry if you have the impression that these are babies that I coddle and spoil and hold and fuss over. The one I mentioned hurt his foot the other day, I picked him up cleaned it quickly put some spray on it and put him back down that was it all done. The other boy got stuck in a corner a week ago I went over put my hand on his chest lifted just enough to help him move and left him alone. The girl has been pretty good so far just got in a tight spot once and a bit scared, I moved the board and she got out and walked out.
I do give treats of lettuce and corn and watermelon if that is spoiling them so sorry but it is healthy for them. 2 of them and my older girl will eat out of my hand.
If one of my birds got injured and it was bad I would have no choice but to have my dad butcher it for dinner. I know that. But after working at an animal shelter and helping put down healthy animals is just not something I can do any more. Precious may be unbalanced but he is healty.
He does have good times. I have been able to work around him fixing the pen for 3 days now and he only came at me once but backed up when I said NO. So he is able to work with I just need to learn a few tricks of the trade.
I was hoping you guys would help but you seem to only want to slam me for having him. If you don't have any ideas for me to try just don't answer me. Ignore me. I understand most people would not work with this goose but I feel the need to.
He is not a monster and I did not create him. He came into the world like that. I have worked with him his whole life and put several hours a day into working with him one on one. I had a horse rescue and had horses no one else would touch, I was able turn them around. But these are my first geese and birds are alot diffrent. Even if your attitude is that I spend to much time with him I am sorry. But works for a time until he just blows again. So I am just being patient at this point. It is more a respect thing rather than love as you would call it. I respect him for who he is and what he is. I am hopping one day he will respect me.
So if you have any good ideas please let me know, thanks and put him down won't work. If you think he needs his own house in his own pen or anything like that. Right now he has his own shaded pen with his own pool and stays in the goose house at night with Tubby they seem good together at night but let me know if you think I should get him a seperate house to. I point at him when I say NO is there another word or had signal i should use. He is smart and can learn i just need to know how to teach him. He can be very sweet every once in a while. I just want to get more good days, I don't expect him to be sweet all the time or even often but he needs to be safe.
In parting anyone going to say to kill him, put him down, that I created a monster or anything else don't talk to me. I would love to hear good idea though

You guys are wasting your time trying to talk any sense into this idiot. This is a classic example of the dumbing down, the emotion fueled irrationality of Americans today.

[dhw]

This person lets an adult goose into their house... They are as crazy as the goose!

[Oregon Swedes]

If you won't rehome him and you won't put him down, I suggest that he be isolated full time. Give him his own pen where he can not reach your other livestock and your children to harm them.

I also suggest that you arrange the pen so that you can pour the food over the fence and water him without going in there.

If you must go inside his pen, carry a broom and point it at his chest if he approaches you. Make him move out of your way when you move. Do not allow him to approach within a 5 foot circle of you. Never turn your back on him.

If you want to equate this to human disabilities, he is not autistic. He is Hannibal Lecter. If good old Hannibal the Cannibal were your child, you would not keep him at home because it wasn't his fault. You would keep him locked up where he couldn't harm anyone.

Well, your goose is harming the innocent members of your family. Lock him up where he can't hurt the others any more.

Then enjoy your 20-30 years of it because geese are very long lived.

[wyldehorses]

I originally started this thread and have a new question about geese. The aggressive ones are GONE! Started over with eight toulouse goslings. They are close to five months old. I have tried to raise them to not fear me, but not be pets either. I want to show them and I want to do well. They don't have fits if I am close, come to their pen if I have a feed bucket, or it is night time. (They free range during the day. ) I have not petted or taught them to be touched. So my question is, as long as they will stay in a show cage without going crazy when someone approaches, do I need to teach them to let people handle them? I have never seen a judge take large waterfowl out to examine them. As it is now they do not invade my personal space, and I'm fine with that.

[dhw]

I'd want them calm enough that they don't trash when a hand comes in but thats about it. You won't see a good judge do much handling of toulouse.

[Angela]

I never worked with the geese much....pretty hands off. As long as they didn't flip out in the crowd, I figured I was alright. Even a young goose/gander will calm down after a bit. They just have to become accustomed to their surroundings. After several hours in a crate getting to their destination...they usually calmed down. Don't recall ever having a problem, other then one big Embden gander that was extremely loud :) Still is.

Never seen a judge actually handle a goose/gander. That would be tricky I would think. To much potential to damage plummage or get injured.

[wyldehorses]

Is it too soon to be able to sex five month old geese? I've done it on adults, so I know what I'm looking for. But I don't want to risk causing any damage if they are too young to successfully sex. (Damage to them or me. They are already bigger than the last Toulouse I had. Might pull a muscle trying to pick them up and flip them over. ;-)

[Angela]

Go for it....carefully :)

[dhw]

Never seen a judge actually handle a goose/gander. That would be tricky I would think. To much potential to damage plummage or get injured.

I have. Not in the sense that they handle chickens but to feel the frame of the bird, look at the wings, feel the keel, ect. The bigger the classes the more I have seen it. Of course some of these shows up here have entire barns dedicated to just geese.

[dhw]

Is it too soon to be able to sex five month old geese? I've done it on adults, so I know what I'm looking for. But I don't want to risk causing any damage if they are too young to successfully sex. (Damage to them or me. They are already bigger than the last Toulouse I had. Might pull a muscle trying to pick them up and flip them over. ;-)

You are at more risk than the geese are. Sexing day old goslings is no big deal. I have sexed 2 week old call ducklings when I just had to know when an obviously promising one pops up.

[REDSnMOREREDS]

This person lets an adult goose into their house... They are as crazy as the goose!

Agreed! I think that's all we had to know.

[goosedragon]

You guys are wasting your time trying to talk any sense into this idiot. This is a classic example of the dumbing down, the emotion fueled irrationality of Americans today.Gee why don't you just INSULT her? BTW what nationally are you if you think this is only present in AMERICANS?

[Patrick]

I never said that It was only in Americans, but we used to be better than that. Now, to make all sorts of wide generalizations, there are other nationalities who simply laugh at our collective loss of common sense and practicality in this country.

[goosedragon]

Well you lost me again, are you claiming that Americans as a group have a collective loss of common sense and practicality? That only you, I and the other favored posters on TPC are exempt. DUCK for cover this is a poultry board. I also noticed you didn't reply to the coments about your insults.

[Patrick]

You know damn well what I mean. You just want to argue for the sake of it.

[goosedragon]

Ok so you have lost your excellent command of English usage? Remember one rule is say what you mean and mean what you say.....gd quits.

[REDSnMOREREDS]

Well you lost me again, are you claiming that Americans as a group have a collective loss of common sense and practicality? That only you, I and the other favored posters on TPC are exempt. DUCK for cover this is a poultry board. I also noticed you didn't reply to the coments about your insults.

When I read this I got a mental image of a horse walking away. Not being a Freudian I have no idea what that symbolism means.

[Angela]

when i read this i got a mental image of a horse walking away. Not being a freudian i have no idea what that symbolism means.

Way to funny!

[Evy]

Is it too soon to be able to sex five month old geese? I've done it on adults, so I know what I'm looking for. But I don't want to risk causing any damage if they are too young to successfully sex. (Damage to them or me. They are already bigger than the last Toulouse I had. Might pull a muscle trying to pick them up and flip them over. ;-)

It's actually easier & less harmful to sex day old WF. The older they get, the stronger the muscles become & the more you're likely to do damage or just make a mistake.

[Evy]

What on earth was all that other nonsense about ? I'm pretty sure 'precious' & his 'mother' found therapy & sympathy on BYC. Sounded like Social Services should have had a look at that home / child situation.

[Angela]

I can't help but think that she was very young herself, as she had to have her father euthanize her birds for her.

But, I do believe that she was looking for validation of her own behavior. She wasn't really interested in any advice given.

[charlindabob]

Patrick and gd, I have this problem and I hope you can help me. I've got these three geese, or I think they're geese, they are very big anyway and they went from being friendly and sleeping at the foot of the bed all night to pooping in the bed. I had them trained so they would poop and it would go on the floor on newspapers, but now they have turned around and when they poop it sometimes wakes me up. It's not too bad though because I've learned to pull the covers over my head. Have you a place where I can buy goose diapers? It really is just messing up the bed. Also, they watch TV and come when called, or at least they used too. We have a swimming pool here in the apartment complex and they used to love to swim, but people complained because they pooped in the pool. It really wasn't all that bad as they only pooped a little and it is a big big pool. I just don't understand why some people got so upset. Their favorite TV show was Green Acres and I named them Goose, Goosie and Goosiest, but they won't come to anything now. I can't let them go out much, just on the balcony as I live in a 3rd story apartment....do you think they will fly away? I have dyed their fur or hair, feathers or whatever it is on their head and they are soooo cute, maybe I can send you a picture. Also, what food do you recommend as they no longer like Coco Puffs too much anymore? They have started attacking anybody that comes over and all my friends won't come see me anymore. One other thing, do they eat fish and mice? I no longer have any fish in my aquarium and my pet mouse is gone too. I do hope it is just hiding and Goosie didn't eat him. OK, that is all the questions I have for now. Thanks patrick and gd, I am sure you can help me and others on here too as it was recommended for me to come here by "Lovestobegoosed" on Back yard something or another. Thanks to all of you.

[Angela]

BAD BOB, BAD!!!

Have they been in the pool yet? I hear that they like to swim with their pets...

Heheheheheheheeheheheheheh :)

[goosedragon]

You Need HELP. if for real or if not on your attempts at humor.

[katschicks]

First you need to get a water bed. Put a bunch of goldfish in it. The geese will try to get the goldfish all day and get tired. Then that evening feed them all the steak and eggs they can eat. When they are done hose off the waterbed and go to bed Be sure to keep some Pepper Spray close so if they attack you in the morning you can get away from them. Hope this helps some. Rog

[Evy]

I love you guys !!

[Oregon Swedes]

I like the idea of the geese chasing the fish in the water bed all day. Maybe that would make a nice toy for my ducks.

My geese don't need one. They get their exercise by chasing the ducks from waterer to water all day. It's a lot of work to lay claim to 5 different feed stations scattered all over the orchard, but they give it their best effort.

Say, maybe the fish in the water bed idea could be worked into something commercial. Battery operated fish in a bag of water toy, to be sold to all the people who keep their ducks in diapers and buy toys for them. I think there is some money in that idea. Probably have to be made without any plastics, though, for the organic crowd.

[Angela]

Say, maybe the fish in the water bed idea could be worked into something commercial. Battery operated fish in a bag of water toy, to be sold to all the people who keep their ducks in diapers and buy toys for them. I think there is some money in that idea. Probably have to be made without any plastics, though, for the organic crowd.

That's hysterical!!
Talk about painting pictures in one's imagination......

Did you guys ever see that special on PBS about the chicken. In one part, some old woman was swimming with her silkie rooster....Now that's what I call just a bubble off plumb....

[tinag210]

You guys are getting about as entertaining to read as BYC!

[Angela]

You guys are getting about as entertaining to read as BYC!

Hey! Hey!!
There's no need to go and get insulting :)

[Mary]

The Chinese 5-6 month old geese I have got to nibbling and poking me. I grabbed one by the neck and held it a while scolding it and it has stayed clear after the second or third time I did that. Sometimes I pick them up and love them. Mostly they want to get away and avoid being held. The year and half old goose likes it. She was my only goose for several months and that was part of getting her over loosing her mate. The longer she is with the young geese the less she wants picked up. One of the young ganders is very protective of her and will get between us when I call her to me.

They are extremely intelligent birds. They understand commands like "follow the light," "go to the gate," and "here goose, goose." If they are hungry they go to the feed barn and won't leave no matter what I do until I have a feed bucket in my hand. They free range and are pets. Yet, I don't take any guff off of them. The only one of my birds that is out of control is a silky bantam rooster. He and the one goose were my only birds for a year until this spring. The black silky bantam, Blacky, has taken it upon himself to dominate every human who comes here, protects the pullets, keeps order with the geese and ducks and even attacks my dogs. From time to time he goes after me. I catch him, rub the blue skin on his jaw and he closes his eyes. For several days he is fine with me. Then we repeat it. Most people who come here more than occasionally have a stick at the gate they carry with them while here to fend him off, or I pen him up while they are here. One day he got penned in with about 60-80 cockerels about 5 months old. He was wearing his new coat of feathers ready for winter, quite a handsome fellow he was. He looked very haggard when he got out that evening. He avoids that pen now. When one of them gets loose he keeps it on the run and hangs around to protect his ladies. He hits it from behind pulling feathers and rolling it head over heels across the ground when they try mounting one of his pullets (several large breeds he is to small to service). The cockerels never know what hit them.

Life on the farm in interesting and fun. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to live in a city in an apartment.