Duck Injury (Need Goose people too!)

[GingerAle87]

Hey All!

So I brought home these little babies last July after they came into the shelter as strays.

They were raised in the chicken coop with all the layers and now they are big and the ducks are laying now as well. I was really hoping the goose would be a female but so far no goose eggs (should be about 8 to 9 months old). Anyways, I noticed this morning that one of my ducks had an injury to her head and a crusty eye. After I got home from work the eye had returned to normal but my research during the day made me think that maybe the goose was trying to mate them. All of the ducks appear to have some sort or scarring or small healing wounds on the head.

So I brought all the ducks inside and ran them a bath for a few hours (no pools out here yet still too cold). She kind of cleaned her wound up well herself but I still cleaned it afterwards. I know from my work, head wounds always look worse than they are and I feel pretty confident this will heal so long as I can keep her separated. She is now in the jail built into the coop.

So anyone who has dealt with duck injuries, do they seem to heal pretty well? Second... do you guys think the goose caused the injuries? He/it does have some blood on his breast feathers but he kinda bowls over everyone when he walks around. I know it is the season but I am kind of naively hoping this will resolve itself. I don't really want to get rid of him (would be to butcher) because he has such a cool personality and really turned into a pet. I've thought about separating him and getting him a lady friend but also know his behavior towards me will change. I'd appreciate any ideas about any of this you guys have to offer.

Thanks!!

 

[Pyxis]

I've thought about separating him and getting him a lady friend but also know his behavior towards me will change. I'd appreciate any ideas about any of this you guys have to offer.

He needs a goose friend. Geese should never be kept singly, even if they have other birds to hang out with. They are flock animals and instinctually want to be with other geese.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/reasons-why-you-shouldnt-keep-just-one-goose.1220102/

 

[GingerAle87]

Does anyone have any experience with two males that weren't raised together? Would they still have that general male-ness without a female around?

And you mean whether I keep him in with the mixed flock or not? There is a lady nearby selling a 2yr old female so it is an option. With a female, could he become aggressive towards the other birds. Chickens I am not worried about but the 3 female ducks (I also have 2 rabbits who hang out with the birds).

 

[GingerAle87]

He needs a goose friend. Geese should never be kept singly, even if they have other birds to hang out with. They are flock animals and instinctually want to be with other geese.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/reasons-why-you-shouldnt-keep-just-one-goose.1220102/

I looked at your thread and my understanding is that it would benefit my goose to get a female (even if mine turned out to be a female)? Do you think if he is causing the injury to the ducks, that would decrease since he would be busy with a friend?

Sorry so many questions, like I said these guys came into the shelter as strays and they have given me a crash course, for sure.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Hey All!

So I brought home these little babies last July after they came into the shelter as strays.

View attachment 2595682

They were raised in the chicken coop with all the layers and now they are big and the ducks are laying now as well. I was really hoping the goose would be a female but so far no goose eggs (should be about 8 to 9 months old). Anyways, I noticed this morning that one of my ducks had an injury to her head and a crusty eye. After I got home from work the eye had returned to normal but my research during the day made me think that maybe the goose was trying to mate them. All of the ducks appear to have some sort or scarring or small healing wounds on the head.

So I brought all the ducks inside and ran them a bath for a few hours (no pools out here yet still too cold). She kind of cleaned her wound up well herself but I still cleaned it afterwards. I know from my work, head wounds always look worse than they are and I feel pretty confident this will heal so long as I can keep her separated. She is now in the jail built into the coop.

View attachment 2595685

So anyone who has dealt with duck injuries, do they seem to heal pretty well? Second... do you guys think the goose caused the injuries? He/it does have some blood on his breast feathers but he kinda bowls over everyone when he walks around. I know it is the season but I am kind of naively hoping this will resolve itself. I don't really want to get rid of him (would be to butcher) because he has such a cool personality and really turned into a pet. I've thought about separating him and getting him a lady friend but also know his behavior towards me will change. I'd appreciate any ideas about any of this you guys have to offer.

View attachment 2595690

Thanks!!

Honestly to me it looks as if a predator tried to get him but couldn't. Looks like a bite wound. Just keep it clean, and apply a bit of neosporin (without painkiller). Chickens and ducks are really good at surviving horrible, awful wounds, and this one is barely a scratch. I think he'll be just fine. I'll also tag @Isaac 0 just for their opinion as well .

 

[Pyxis]

I looked at your thread and my understanding is that it would benefit my goose to get a female (even if mine turned out to be a female)? Do you think if he is causing the injury to the ducks, that would decrease since he would be busy with a friend?

Sorry so many questions, like I said these guys came into the shelter as strays and they have given me a crash course, for sure.

Yep, even two females will be happy together

Not sure if he would be the cause of the head injuries. If he's trying to mate with them and is grabbing at their heads to hold them while attempting, it's possible. The serrations in their beaks could certainly injure ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Embden gander mated my Musciovy females and never caused injury but they are built to breed with a 15 pound muscovy drake too, I think with my experience of almost 14 yrs now with a gander that he'll eventually fall in love with a new goose and be very protective of her. My Gander is pretty ornery during breeding season but only to me. He will keep everyone [birds] away from his precious Missy but He hasn't injured anyone. They all respect him. He and His goose wife have been together 9 yrs now. That head wound should heal fine. If you decide to get him a female goose I'd have them separated from the rest of the flock so they can get to know each other or he maybe like my gander was an want nothing to do with her. Sam had only know ducks so they were his flock. Took a while for him to accept Missy.

 

[GingerAle87]

Thank you for your help. Luckily my duck was left in her jail overnight (goose had let a prior duck out ounce) so she should begin to heal.

I am meeting with a guy today who has a 2yo female Emden and hopefully she will make a nice friend for mine. I will separate them out for a bit so they can mingle and let you guys know how it goes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thats awesome, yes please let us know how it goes

 

[GingerAle87]

Well got home today and another duck had been injured so I am pretty confident it is the goose, again had fresh blood all over his breast feathers. So cleaned it up, both ducks are eating, drinking and otherwise acting normal.

Brought Consuela home today and let her and Arturo out into the back yard together. She was pretty filthy from a 3hr car ride today. They will probably stay in the yard until they are finished courting. Unfortunately, when I'm out there Arturo just follows me around but they have shared some lettuce and a bath in the fresh water bowl. Consuela is pretty much staying on one side of the yard but she has wandered to where I set up a temp shelter and checked it out. We shall see...