frustrated with my goslings! they don't like me

[Juan B]

So, this is my first time raising geese, but I've had chickens and ducks for a few years. I'm frustrated with the lack of progress they seem to be making. They're 6-week old toulouse geese and I have 8 of them. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them when they were tiny and fuzzy. Now they just run in sheer panic every time I'm around. They won't eat from my hand or eat feed when I'm around. They will graze when I'm around though.

The worst part is that every day I have to pick them all up to put them outside, since they haven't figured out how to get in or out of their house, which is an old polydome calf nursery I got from a neighbor. Before dark, i also have to catch them to stuff em back in. They haven't learned to do this on their own, it's time consuming and NONE of us enjoy it- me or them.

Is there any way I can win them over/ get them to stop being afraid or annoyed with me? Or go in/out of their house on their own at least, and I can leave them alone. If they were remotely big enough, I'd consider sending them to freezer camp now since it's going so miserably.

 

[The goose girl]

For your next time with geese, spending time with them while they're tiny and fuzzy is a very good idea.

But for your current trouble, it is key to figure out a way to lure or calmly herd them in at night. Right now, you're the scary monster who chases after them every night, and if you continue to do that, they'll keep being terrified of you no matter what. Maybe you can put up some fencing to help "funnel" them to the entrance?

 

[Juan B]

Do I stand any chance of winning them over with treats? So far, they don't seem to care when I bring them feed because they'd rather eat grass. I also tried giving them some June drop apples but they didn't even try them.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Geese prefer grass over all else. Also it doesn't matter what you feed them, geese hate being chased above all else. Try and find a calm way of doing it and do it at the same time every day to help them get the routine.

 

[Carrosaur]

Sit on the ground. Every chance you get go out there and sit on the ground either next to their feed or next to their water. Two of my geese I bought when they were 1 year old from a hatchery and they were absolutely terrified of me. I sat outside with them every single day and I would just talk to them, now I can basically walk up to them and they don't run, maybe step out of the way but they aren't scared anymore. You need to spend time with them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So, this is my first time raising geese, but I've had chickens and ducks for a few years. I'm frustrated with the lack of progress they seem to be making. They're 6-week old toulouse geese and I have 8 of them. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with them when they were tiny and fuzzy. Now they just run in sheer panic every time I'm around. They won't eat from my hand or eat feed when I'm around. They will graze when I'm around though.

The worst part is that every day I have to pick them all up to put them outside, since they haven't figured out how to get in or out of their house, which is an old polydome calf nursery I got from a neighbor. Before dark, i also have to catch them to stuff em back in. They haven't learned to do this on their own, it's time consuming and NONE of us enjoy it- me or them.

Is there any way I can win them over/ get them to stop being afraid or annoyed with me? Or go in/out of their house on their own at least, and I can leave them alone. If they were remotely big enough, I'd consider sending them to freezer camp now since it's going so miserably.

Welcome to BYC

Can you post a pic of your set up the old calf nursery so we can see what is making them not go in. other than being afraid. Is there a step up maybe adding some steps or a short ramp . Just need to see what it looks like.

I agree with the goose girl maybe putting up a fence around where their house is and then herding them slowly into it and then into their house, geese herd really well it just has to be done slowly and training takes a bit of time. Fencing can be the plastic poultry fencing from Lowes and the inexpensive fence post that have the long points you just push into the ground since your just usuing it to get them where you want them to go not for security.

 

[Juan B]

I can post a pic when I get home. I've been struggling with spending enough time with them, but if I want to make life better for them and me, I need to prioritize that.

This has definitely been more frustrating than ducks and chickens combined. It seems to me like there's a lack of info and a lot of misinformation about raising geese out there. I read a couple of books before they arrived, and everything I read said geese don't need housing. Then I talked to some people who said they definitely need locked up at night. Also nothing I read ever mentioned that they don't like to be chased. Obviously, nothing likes to be chased, but I didn't realize it's b3 so extreme. Our chickens and ducks both got used to us wanting or needing to pick them up and don't freak out about it anymore. Thanks for the practical advice y'all.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can post a pic when I get home. I've been struggling with spending enough time with them, but if I want to make life better for them and me, I need to prioritize that.

This has definitely been more frustrating than ducks and chickens combined. It seems to me like there's a lack of info and a lot of misinformation about raising geese out there. I read a couple of books before they arrived, and everything I read said geese don't need housing. Then I talked to some people who said they definitely need locked up at night. Also nothing I read ever mentioned that they don't like to be chased. Obviously, nothing likes to be chased, but I didn't realize it's b3 so extreme. Our chickens and ducks both got used to us wanting or needing to pick them up and don't freak out about it anymore. Thanks for the practical advice y'all.

Geese don't even touch each other when laying down and they really don't like to be handled. [well maybe a house goose] so I don't upset our house goose members. lol

They dif need to be locked up at night they have no defense against any predators with teeth, geese are mainly bluff, oh they can bite and it hurts and they can flog with their wings and it hurts but neither of those would stop a predator bent on eating goose.
You can win them over it's not too late you'll just have to go slow and be patient with them and yourself. We are all learning seems for me it's always the hard way. lol

When you have a large flock like you do I just have 4 they really are bonded with each other and don't have much time for anyone else, but I can go out and spend time with mine and they will hang around close enough I can get my one female to talk to me. We have a great conversation too. But if I tried to touch her she would move fast as lightening. And I've had her since 2012 and 4 months of age. I do pick my geese up when I have to though if they need examined, then I walk them into a smaller fenced in area and slowly walk them into a corner or into one of the houses, it is very stressful for the goose and me and I keep it as quick as possible.

 

[Juan B]

I'm so glad I didn't get more! I was initially gonna get 12! I'm also really happy that they don't bite me, at least not yet. Today I didn't try to get them out of their house. I just left the "door" open and went to work. Before I left, two of them were out in the paddock, and that's the first time they've ever gone in/out on their own. A little while ago, my wife said they were ALL out. I might see if they'll go in on their own tonight. That'd b3 sweet. I will definitely NOT do anything that will seem like chasing them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm so glad I didn't get more! I was initially gonna get 12! I'm also really happy that they don't bite me, at least not yet. Today I didn't try to get them out of their house. I just left the "door" open and went to work. Before I left, two of them were out in the paddock, and that's the first time they've ever gone in/out on their own. A little while ago, my wife said they were ALL out. I might see if they'll go in on their own tonight. That'd b3 sweet. I will definitely NOT do anything that will seem like chasing them.

That is great see they are learning, geese are very intelligent and they have really good memories. I can even just open my arms now and walk behind them and herd them inside sometimes they will just walk on in with out me doing anything except walking behind, so they do learn it just takes time. remember the words ,"speak softly and carry a big stick' well that goes for geese too only thing it should be a long stick for herding never for hitting.
Keep us updated in how it's going, I think you'll see with your changes they will come around .