Gander with rather strange behavior.

[Miss Lydia]

Oh right, didn't read that, thanks Miss Lydia

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Well we went back down today during the day (we both had the day off) to proffer some lettuce instead of "all flock". Well imagine our surprise when Scritchy and Scabby were OUTSIDE THE FENCE.

Believe me, we thought about grabbing them, but we really aren't set up for them separately and not endangering our ducks has to come first.

The interaction started normally Scritchy walking right up to us and Scabby hanging back. We gave them some lettuce, and they did eat some, but not very much. Scritchy would go back and forth between us and get his chest scratched and even accepted a little back stroking. I got Scabby to eat out of my hand a couple times, but that was the closest she would come.













After about 15 minutes. Scritchy started getting a bit bolder. I don't know if he scared himself, or if he was more at ease, or if he was done, or if the hormones kicked in but he started nipping at us more and more from that point on. After about 5 minutes of that, we decided to leave. If that was what he wanted, fine - if that wasn't what he wanted, then it would help teach him that we wouldn't hang with him if he played that way. (Either way we'll be back.)

Here is a video of when that started:

Any insights goosers? We know ducks fairly well now, but geese are still new territory...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well we went back down today during the day (we both had the day off) to proffer some lettuce instead of "all flock". Well imagine our surprise when Scritchy and Scabby were OUTSIDE THE FENCE.

Believe me, we thought about grabbing them, but we really aren't set up for them separately and not endangering our ducks has to come first.

The interaction started normally Scritchy walking right up to us and Scabby hanging back. We gave them some lettuce, and they did eat some, but not very much. Scritchy would go back and forth between us and get his chest scratched and even accepted a little back stroking. I got Scabby to eat out of my hand a couple times, but that was the closest she would come.













After about 15 minutes. Scritchy started getting a bit bolder. I don't know if he scared himself, or if he was more at ease, or if he was done, or if the hormones kicked in but he started nipping at us more and more from that point on. After about 5 minutes of that, we decided to leave. If that was what he wanted, fine - if that wasn't what he wanted, then it would help teach him that we wouldn't hang with him if he played that way. (Either way we'll be back.)

Here is a video of when that started:

Any insights goosers? We know ducks fairly well now, but geese are still new territory...

Dif gander behavior and your wife was very nice but someone else may injure him if he does this. and her leaning into him and getting so close to his bill was scary my gander got me on the top lip and just about took it off. those serrated edges really can cut like a steak knife so tell her not to get that close to him, ganders are pushy and he look pretty young so he is dif feeling his oats. And Scabby is acting just like a female hanging back more subdued. I would have your wife standing when around them so he sees her as the dominant one here. I sure wish ya'll could take them home all you'd need is some plastic poultry fencing from Lowes those fiber glass fence posts that have the shrp ends to push into the ground. and a safe dog house or something to close them up in at night just long enough to find them a safe home. People are so cruel and Him being so walk right up into your face I really am worried for his and her safety. Any rescues around ya'll . He is so comfortable around humans makes me wonder how anyone could let them out with him being so trusting, he must have been loved at one time.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Dif gander behavior and your wife was very nice but someone else may injure him if he does this. and her leaning into him and getting so close to his bill was scary my gander got me on the top lip and just about took it off. those serrated edges really can cut like a steak knife so tell her not to get that close to him, ganders are pushy and he look pretty young so he is dif feeling his oats. And Scabby is acting just like a female hanging back more subdued. I would have your wife standing when around them so he sees her as the dominant one here. I sure wish ya'll could take them home all you'd need is some plastic poultry fencing from Lowes those fiber glass  fence  posts that have the shrp ends to push into the ground. and a safe dog house or  something to close them up in at night  just long enough to find them a safe home. People are so cruel and Him being so walk right up into your face I really am worried for his and her safety. Any rescues around ya'll . He is so comfortable around humans makes me wonder how anyone could let them out with him being so trusting, he must have been loved at one time. 

Oh sorry, no.one let them out... The fence goes all around the upper pond then goes out into the lower pond. When we left, the geese walked down the fence and over to the lower pond. There they can swim around the fence then walk to the upper pond area. They are free to come and go. The flying birds do it all the time but the walkers are a rare treat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh sorry, no.one let them out... The fence goes all around the upper pond then goes out into the lower pond. When we left, the geese walked down the fence and over to the lower pond. There they can swim around the fence then walk to the upper pond area. They are free to come and go. The flying birds do it all the time but the walkers are a rare treat.

I didn't think anyone let them out, I am just concerned for your wife getting that close to his bill with her face and then their safety since he is so friendly, humans can be so cruel and all he'd need to do is bite one human who wasn't tender hearted to geese and he could get injured pretty fast. Ganders have a reputation for being mean when all they are doing is being protective but putting a human imprinted gander where people are is probably are going to get him killed or injured sooner or later. I have a couple friends who know first hand how cruel people can be at some of the parks they go to. It's frustrating when we're all in different parts of the country and can't help, here we have Carolina Water fowl Rescue and if I could get them and take them there they would be safe. Even just someone coming there with kids and bread is a worrisome situation. He is way to friendly for his own good. living where he is. Home environment would be different.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

I didn't think anyone let them out, I am just concerned for your wife getting that close to his bill with her face and then their safety since he is so friendly, humans can be so cruel and all he'd need to do is bite one human who wasn't tender hearted to geese and he could get injured pretty fast. Ganders have a reputation for being mean when all they are doing is being protective but putting a human imprinted gander where people are is probably are going to get him killed or injured sooner or later. I have a couple friends who know first hand how cruel people can be at some of the parks they go to. It's frustrating when we're all in different parts of the country and can't help, here we have Carolina Water fowl Rescue and if I could get them and take them there they would be safe. Even just someone coming there with kids and bread is a worrisome situation. He is way to friendly for his own good. living where he is. Home environment would be different.

Oh, my wife took your warning seriously

... She will now only expose areas where knife lacerations are acceptable

. I agree, he is awful friendly and his nips would definitely make a small kid with bread cry so I could see how that could lead to an explosive situation that would not be good for the gander.

I have left a message with foundationforanimals.org who has done some work with the pond in the past to see who I would have to get in touch with. There are plenty of places here that deal with wildlife and the pond is really set up well for wild birds. It is fairly well protected from predators with an island in the middle of it and humans only have access to about 1/4 of the shore and 1/2 the total perimeter of it so the wild birds can decide if they want to interact or not. Unfortunately, we are essentially talking about abandoned livestock in this case, so I don't know yet who I would talk to (the reason for the above mentioned message). I checked our local waterfowl association and they deal with "native" waterfowl and their environment. Obviously "Animal Control" doesn't impound them as strays so I am looking for something in between.

The fair grounds themselves is pretty happy with them, I am sure as they put a lot of money into making a pretty nice pond (it and the wooded area behind it - about 50/50 - are a good 7 acres) and the pretty geese are a draw. If you could keep the bread bearing people away, it would actually be a pretty good place for them to live

, but it also would probably not have the funding.

We will be trying to make changes where we have better defenses and accommodations this summer, but it is hard to get ahead when you get robbed every year.

On another note, I love your new avatar - Kind of "Cracker Barrel" Muscovy

looking.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, my wife took your warning seriously

... She will now only expose areas where knife lacerations are acceptable

. I agree, he is awful friendly and his nips would definitely make a small kid with bread cry so I could see how that could lead to an explosive situation that would not be good for the gander.

I have left a message with foundationforanimals.org who has done some work with the pond in the past to see who I would have to get in touch with. There are plenty of places here that deal with wildlife and the pond is really set up well for wild birds. It is fairly well protected from predators with an island in the middle of it and humans only have access to about 1/4 of the shore and 1/2 the total perimeter of it so the wild birds can decide if they want to interact or not. Unfortunately, we are essentially talking about abandoned livestock in this case, so I don't know yet who I would talk to (the reason for the above mentioned message). I checked our local waterfowl association and they deal with "native" waterfowl and their environment. Obviously "Animal Control" doesn't impound them as strays so I am looking for something in between.

The fair grounds themselves is pretty happy with them, I am sure as they put a lot of money into making a pretty nice pond (it and the wooded area behind it - about 50/50 - are a good 7 acres) and the pretty geese are a draw. If you could keep the bread bearing people away, it would actually be a pretty good place for them to live

, but it also would probably not have the funding.

We will be trying to make changes where we have better defenses and accommodations this summer, but it is hard to get ahead when you get robbed every year.

On another note, I love your new avatar - Kind of "Cracker Barrel" Muscovy

looking.

I hope they have some info, it's so hard not to get involved when you know how sad an outcome this can have, right now in winter probably not alot of families walking around the fair ground in Montana but come spring that gander will be wanting to be right there in everyones face so to speak which is going to get him in alot of trouble. if he wasn't so imprinted on humans then he'd be better off. I'm sorry if I appear pushy about them and I sure do understand about the income and how far it doesn't go we're retired, I just hope someone can take them in even if just to foster they both look young so they have a long life ahead of them in a safe enviroment thanks for your concern and for putting up with me.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

I hope they have some info, it's so hard not to get involved when you know how sad an outcome this can have, right now in winter probably not alot of families walking around the fair ground in Montana but come spring that gander will be wanting to be right there in everyones face so to speak which is going to get him in alot of trouble. if he wasn't so imprinted on humans then he'd be better off. I'm sorry if I appear pushy about them and I sure do understand about the income and how far it doesn't go we're retired, I just hope someone can take them in even if just to foster they both look young so they have a long life ahead of them in a safe enviroment thanks for your concern and for putting up with me.

Oh no putting up. We just learned our lesson last year about winging it and lost two ducks. So I won't bring any new members in until I can be assured of their safety and not endanger my ducks in the process.

We have been looking at geese probably 2 years out... If this pair is still around then, maybe it will be them instead of goslings? That will be a hard call too because then we would be giving up the personal imprint. Well as it stands now, that isn't an immediate decision we have to make.

I would like to find him a loving home now if it is possible, so if I can get an answer about who can get him out of there, I will see if I can find someone with the facilities to take them on.

You also got me thinking though if maybe we shouldn't avoid spending personal time with them. If they get a positive experience from us, (I mean the touching and handling more than the food because everyone throws food at all the birds) it could make them more comfortable with others which would make a bad situation more likely... I know it would break my wife's heart, but should we leave them alone? (I know geese are smart enough to "know" different people, but don't know quite how that trust mechanism works.)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh no putting up. We just learned our lesson last year about winging it and lost two ducks. So I won't bring any new members in until I can be assured of their safety and not endanger my ducks in the process.

We have been looking at geese probably 2 years out... If this pair is still around then, maybe it will be them instead of goslings? That will be a hard call too because then we would be giving up the personal imprint. Well as it stands now, that isn't an immediate decision we have to make.

I would like to find him a loving home now if it is possible, so if I can get an answer about who can get him out of there, I will see if I can find someone with the facilities to take them on.

You also got me thinking though if maybe we shouldn't avoid spending personal time with them. If they get a positive experience from us, (I mean the touching and handling more than the food because everyone throws food at all the birds) it could make them more comfortable with others which would make a bad situation more likely... I know it would break my wife's heart, but should we leave them alone? (I know geese are smart enough to "know" different people, but don't know quite how that trust mechanism works.)

I don't think it would hurt a bit going and visiting and checking on them all of them. I wouldn't hand feed it just causes nipping just toss on the ground, even veteran goose owners say don't hand feed. You really don't want your hands in contact with those bills either. petting well that will be up to your wife but I wouldn't tap on the bill that can be looked at as teasing. and could cause a bite reaction. scratching his chest if he doesn't have a problem with it and he looks like he enjoys it but not nibbling on your person at all not even shoes. See this is only going to get worse as the days get longer because goose mating season is starting now. That's when ganders are at their worst. No hands around his bill or face so he doesn't get the chance to bite or nibble. I think he will be disappointed it yall didn't come and visit, he sounds like he really like your visit. Another reason why I cannot imagine why someone who had this pair would dump them out. There are other ways to get a new home for geese. Evidentally he had a pretty nice relationship with a human/s since he is so friendly. too bad he can't talk. lol please keep[ us updated and hopefully you'll hear something soon.

https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/search?page_number=6


cute story https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/other-pet-adoption/adopting-goose/

 

[Tevyes Dad]

I don't think it would hurt a bit going and visiting and checking on them all of them. I wouldn't hand feed it just causes nipping just toss on the ground, even veteran goose owners say don't hand feed. You really don't want your hands in contact with those bills either. petting well that will be up to your wife but I wouldn't tap on the bill that can be looked at as teasing. and could cause a bite reaction. scratching his chest if he doesn't have a problem with it and he looks like he enjoys it but not nibbling on your person at all not even shoes. See this is only going to get worse as the days get longer because goose mating season is starting now. That's when ganders are at their worst. No hands around his bill or face so he doesn't get the chance to bite or nibble. I think he will be disappointed it yall didn't come and visit, he sounds like he really like your visit. Another reason why I cannot imagine why someone who had this pair would dump them out. There are other ways to get a new home for geese. Evidentally he had a pretty nice relationship with a human/s since he is so friendly. too bad he can't talk. lol please keep[ us updated and hopefully you'll hear something soon.

https://www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues/search?page_number=6


cute story https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/other-pet-adoption/adopting-goose/

There is one place that might be useful a little over 100 miles out. Most of the places are dog or dog and cat. I would try to find a local farm first. But my first step is finding out who to talk to so that I am not the person charged with abuse for trying to steal the geese (obviously he has to stay with his friend). Hopefully I get something back from "Foundation for Animals" so I can talk to whoever their current "guardian" is.

Story was awesome! Thanks!