Gander stepping on goslings

[Jenbirdee]

I have a pair of pilgrims with three day old goslings and I noticed the gander keeps accidentally stepping on his babies to the point where he almost killed one stepping on its neck so I separated him from his family during the day, but put him in the coop with them at night. I’m still concerned he could step on them at night, but wouldn’t it be less of a chance?

 

[sourland]

Any chance of putting up a temporary separation in the night coop until they get larger?

 

[Jenbirdee]

Any chance of putting up a temporary separation in the night coop until they get larger?

I don’t think so even if I put a crate for him in there, it would be horrible trying to get him into it , it’s 6x4 and only about 4 feet tall . I have to crawl in. (I use a rake to clean it out & usually don’t go in there, but I did when I was candling goose eggs. ) I do have an extra older coop across the yard he could sleep in though, he will be alone though. i can make him go in there if it will save babies
There was one dead one early on that had fully hatched and was nice and dry and fluffy, but maybe died from being stepped on

 

[sourland]

I'd be tempted to put him in the extra coop until they are larger and more mobile. They grow rapidly so it shouldn't have to be for too long. Some ganders, especially first time parents, are just on the clumsy side.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I'd be tempted to put him in the extra coop until they are larger and more mobile. They grow rapidly so it shouldn't have to be for too long. Some ganders, especially first time parents, are just on the clumsy side.

Yeah, he’s the first time parent even though he’s five years old