Broody geese on empty nest

[BellaM]

Hi everyone, I have two broody geese sitting on an empty nest. How do I stop them being broody without making them hate me?

I saw a thread that says dismantle the nest and/or remove them from the nest repeatedly, but how do you do that when they're hissing and biting you? Or is it just a case of sucking it up?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I just break up the nest, and keep picking up eggs. Mine don't seem to hold a grudge, but mine aren't handled either.

 

[Goosebaby]

@oldhenlikesdogs is right, break up the nest. My geese were handled quite a lot and we get along well now and they don’t hold a grudge either. At worst they’ll be peeved at you for like two days and then forget all about it.

 

[BellaM]

I gently shooed them off the nest with a broom and then covered the nest so they can't see or access it ... They weren't very happy with me but I think we'll be okay .

 

[Goosebaby]

I gently shooed them off the nest with a broom and then covered the nest so they can't see or access it ... They weren't very happy with me but I think we'll be okay .

If it helps just know that this is actual normal hierarchical behavior in goose flocks. Dominant geese often steal eggs and nests from less dominant individuals because it boosts the chances of survival of possible goslings. So instinctually in their minds this is normal for you to chase them away from their nest even if they aren’t thrilled about it.

 

[BellaM]

If it helps just know that this is actual normal hierarchical behavior in goose flocks. Dominant geese often steal eggs and nests from less dominant individuals because it boosts the chances of survival of possible goslings. So instinctually in their minds this is normal for you to chase them away from their nest even if they aren’t thrilled about it.

Oh wow! No, I did not know that ... Thank you

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If it helps just know that this is actual normal hierarchical behavior in goose flocks. Dominant geese often steal eggs and nests from less dominant individuals because it boosts the chances of survival of possible goslings. So instinctually in their minds this is normal for you to chase them away from their nest even if they aren’t thrilled about it.

I die see this happen this past breeding season. The older geese wouldn't let a young goose set on her nest, both ganders and goose were chasing her off.

 

[Goosebaby]

I die see this happen this past breeding season. The older geese wouldn't let a young goose set on her nest, both ganders and goose were chasing her off.

Yep! The older geese make better parents usually so they’re doing the goslings a favor of they’re allowed to brood.

 

[BellaM]

My girls are very young. They've only just started laying and even though initially there were a couple of eggs in the nest the silly goose wasn't sitting on them?!