Chicken (Poultry) Addiction Anonymous *Chat Thread*

[Muggsmagee]

We took the goslings out for a run today. They went right up to the duck pen and wanted to join in. Stuck their necks WAY out calling to them, but the ducks wanted nothing to do with them!

These Sebbies are so cool...would run after the kids when they walked off, all the while flapping their wings. I hope they are friendly to us when they get older, like yours are to you Chandra!

 

[featherbaby]

Quote:
I don't see a problem at all! They make much better "watch-dogs" than dogs! Encourage him to do his job and apologize (without laughing until they turn their back) to the intruder/friend/trespasser later.

GO GANDER!!!!!!

 

[Cass]

Quote:
I don't see a problem at all! They make much better "watch-dogs" than dogs! Encourage him to do his job and apologize (without laughing until they turn their back) to the intruder/friend/trespasser later.

GO GANDER!!!!!!

x2
Geese are very intimidating. I am thinking of getting a pair myself, for just that reason....and I wouldn't apologize to anyone they ran off the property. I would, however, make sure that anyone I WANT on the property knows to stomp their foot at them and tell the to back off. My son was trying to see some wild goslings and the male came at him...I ran at the goose and it backed off. (don't mess with my kids if you want to live LOL) I would assume that domestic geese would do the same.

 

[daisychick]

Meagan: Your goslings are sooooo cute!

Oh how fast they grow! Makes me want more little ones. But I guess I better learn how to keep my 2 under control first!

Yeah It was a friend of mine coming over to get some eggs and she just walked into the back yard and my gander went running and so did my friend.

I really think he smelled fear and went for it. I stepped in between him and her after all the running and he stopped right away. I have no idea how to teach a goose to not do that??? I know I will stand up to him if he tries that with me. I am teaching my kids to not tease them or chase them and also to not run from them! So does standing your ground and stomping at them work?? I guess the hard part is, I do want them to chase of strangers but to them everyone is a stranger right now. I am not sure how to get them to not chase my friends.????

It is going to be a learning experience and I will have to "train" my friends to stand up to the geese.

 

[Cass]

Quote:
You will never teach a goose to not be a goose. If I put my arms out and come at you screaming what are you going to do? You are going to back off, not knowing what to expect from some lunatic running at you. Geese don't have teeth or claws or huge hind legs to defend themselves with; all they have is the ability to put their wings out, making them look really big to a predator and lots of noise. And the element of not being "known" to those who approach them. They use that to defend their mate and offspring and their territory. Come onto their territory and they get big and loud. If they are ignored and you walk right past them they will follow you and peck at your butt. You may wind up with bruises from their beak, but there is little else they can really do to you. Maybe fly in your face? Get your clothing muddy? But face it, they are big and loud and running honking at anyone who comes near WORKS....so they keep doing it. Do you blame them?

My only experience is with wild geese. LOADS of wild geese and yes, standing your ground or moving toward them makes them back off. Do you have a friend who ISN"T afraid of the bird that can see if it works with domestic geese?

 

[daisychick]

Oh yes Cass, I will have all of my friends do this. We have people over a lot and I am going to tell them to just stand still and ignore or flap their arms and stomp and be the "bigger goose". I am also going to tell my scaredy cat friend to NOT RUN! I was just so surprised at it all I didn't know what to do at the moment. My geese are just babies and this was a first for me. I love my geese and they do respect me and listen very well to direction from me. I let them free range almost all day and at night when I get behind them and point them towards home they go straight into their pen. I am really enjoying having them a lot. I am sure if that works with wild geese it will work with these. Geese are really smart and have great personalities.

 

[IdealisticRoo]

My geeselets entertain my by running in circles in the hen yard, flapping their wings! It terrorizes the chickens, as does the habit of taking CHUNKS out of the chickens if they get too close!

I suppose I better separate the geese!

I did a head count after bed last night and I came up with 23 ten week old juveniles, the mama and her 6 babies and 11 other "adult" chickens. Then there are 19 babies in the garage from a week to a month old.

So, 60 chickens and 2 geese. I am ok with that, too bad the feed store gets assorted bantams in this morning! maybe 63 is a better number?!?!?

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
I think 63 would 'def be a better number!

Soooo...just in case one died you could have an even number!

Well I was looking around on CL last night and found someone wanting some bantam hens that are laying, so I'm going to fix them up with a "few".

Heck, I'm gonna throw in a rooster if they want one!

I tryed to get her to take my broody hen and 4 chicks...but

 

[Muggsmagee]

I'm going to do an official head count today, and come back with the actual number of chickens I have. I'm scared.

 

[featherz]

Quote:
hahahahahahaha..

I can still count mine in my head but of course all those chicks don't count.