Goose "mothering" ducklings???

[Tnballgirl]

One of my Susie's showed up with 4 babies about 3 days ago. There have been 2 geese that come and go to our pond, but have recently been staying. I have been watching carefully because of the babies and this morning confirmed, the goose is "mothering" the ducklings. Almost more than the momma duck. Is this normal?

 

[sourland]

Domestic geese have strong maternal/paternal instincts and will foster ducklings as well as goslings. Looks like Canada geese have the same instincts.

 

[ruthhope]

How sweet!

 

[Canadian Wind]

By the pics, looks like there's also an adult duck there?

But yes, @sourland is correct about the Canadian Cobra Chicken. NEVER approach one that has babies! Unless you want to lose chunks of flesh or small appendages. My bf is actually terrified of them!

 

[Tnballgirl]

By the pics, looks like there's also an adult duck there?

But yes, @sourland is correct about the Canadian Cobra Chicken. NEVER approach one that has babies! Unless you want to lose chunks of flesh or small appendages. My bf is actually terrified of them!

Yes, the Susie momma is with them. But the goose is following them around. At first I thought it was to attack them, but then I noticed it was just acting like a barrier. I went out just a moment ago and there are only 2 babies now....but the goose hissed at me and put its head down like it was gonna charge.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Whats happened to the duckings? do you have snapping turtles?
My geese especially my gander was the best papa goose you could ask for, Mama duck could go off foraging and leave her ducklings with the gander and he watched over them so faithfully.

 

[Tnballgirl]

We have never seen snapping turtles. There are 3 mallard drakes...all siblings of the initial 2 that I bought as babies and put out.

 

[PinkSif]

I'm having a similar experience. A wild goose and her partner have adopted my ducklings. I was terrified for them at first, but after a few days it was clear that the foster parents meant them no harm. The first week the geese followed the ducklings around. This evening, I witnessed them following mother goose to her chosen location to snuggle up. She has chased my 65 lb dog, has hissed at me, and has pecked at my legs a time or two. Every time she's gotten a little too possessive for my liking, I've squared up to her and she's noisily backed down. It's going to be interesting when she tries to get them to migrate with her.......

 

[Miss Lydia]

If I didn't know better I'd say that's a gander. My gander Sam was the best papa goose you could find. He loved all the ducklings that hatched here and was especially fond of Dolly the Muscovy duckling her and him in my avatar.

That is so precious that the goose has found a place to call home and a ready-made family.

 

[Nero70002]

Yeah, the thing I’d be most worried about is the goose spreading diseases to your ducklings