ganders are excluding a goose

[Miss Lydia]

The goslings (Gabrielle, Gizzelle & Gary) came with the pair of adult pilgrams (Gus & Gertrude) at 3 days old. They were not from the pilgrams as far as I know and they were incubated. We raised them to 6 weeks & gradually let them spend more time with the adult geese. The uncles ( Gavin & Gerard) were obsessed with them (the goslings), even coming in the house to find them. They were very protective of them. We just lost the male gosling, Gary to a snake bite augh!!!!. So now I notice the pilgram gander is no longer excluding his mate.( Gary used to exclude her as well head down running & hissing) So at the moment I have only one gander to look after 3 geese and am wondering if I should get another gander to help Gus out ?

I'd for now just see how the gander does with 3 females he may do fine then again after breeding season when testosterone settles down you might want to get another gander. That is really up to you. Sometimes gander will do fine in trios but if more than 2 females one will get left out.
You could also get eggs and Next breeding season and let the girls raise another gander. I just realized your heading into to fall so breeding season is probably over in your neck of the world.

So sorry about the loss of Gary.

 

[bellbird]

Thanks for you commiserations He was my favorite gosling he used to swim in the spa & watch tv with me before he went out with the big geese.
Yes you are right our gosling season is around October. Last night before reading your reply (oops) I have organised getting a 3 year old tufted roman called Eric. He is their last goose and they feel he needs some female company as he only has ducks to hang with now. I thought he may take up with Gertrude ( the excluded wife). I'm beginning to suspect that we were not given a husband & wife (pilgrams) which may explain poor Gertrude's exclusion by her "hubby" .I notice she is still always further away from Gus than the goslings or away on her own. He arrives toomorrow.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for you commiserations He was my favorite gosling he used to swim in the spa & watch tv with me before he went out with the big geese.
Yes you are right our gosling season is around October. Last night before reading your reply (oops) I have organised getting a 3 year old tufted roman called Eric. He is their last goose and they feel he needs some female company as he only has ducks to hang with now. I thought he may take up with Gertrude ( the excluded wife). I'm beginning to suspect that we were not given a husband & wife (pilgrams) which may explain poor Gertrude's exclusion by her "hubby" .I notice she is still always further away from Gus than the goslings or away on her own. He arrives toomorrow.

Congrats on finding a gander you do know your going to have to introduce Eric slowly to the gaggle you have now and you may want to put your Gertrude in with him so they bond right off or Eric may get eyes for the others. When I introduced my gander to a female I brought home for him [he had always lived with Muscovy ducks], He did not take to her right off It took a while with me having to separate him from the duck of his life before he finally decided he liked his goose.

Look forward to hearing how it all goes and sure hope Eric will love his new home.

 

[bellbird]

Well Eric just sits under the macadamia nut tree next to his waterbowl. He now is excluded from the gaggle augh ! Gertrude has sideled up to him a few times but he appears immune to her charms. Maybe he is fretting for his last owner she brought him up from a chick (3 years). He is so quiet & gentle He does not hiss or put his head down ! I'm wondering if he is an Erica ? It just breaks my heart to see him all alone. I am hoping with time he will at least follow them to the dams he hasn't left the house yard. How long should I wait to see if he fits in ? is 3 months long enough? Any ideas ? I guess I should just let a breeding season go by first to see what happens.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well Eric just sits under the macadamia nut tree next to his waterbowl. He now is excluded from the gaggle augh ! Gertrude has sideled up to him a few times but he appears immune to her charms. Maybe he is fretting for his last owner she brought him up from a chick (3 years). He is so quiet & gentle He does not hiss or put his head down ! I'm wondering if he is an Erica ? It just breaks my heart to see him all alone. I am hoping with time he will at least follow them to the dams he hasn't left the house yard. How long should I wait to see if he fits in ? is 3 months long enough? Any ideas ? I guess I should just let a breeding season go by first to see what happens.

So the new gander Eric isn't working out either. Yes getting a new gander or goose during breeding season isn't always the best time. I'd give him some time to acclimate and the rest to get use to a newbie. They really do have a hard time with changes in their lives. If Eric is female when will you see egg? when is egg laying season? Moving him again would be really hard on him.

@bellbird

 

[bellbird]

It's not breeding season til June July Winter here so no one is really doing the hot & heavy at the moment. There should be ample time for them to sort themselves out before pairing off begins. We have carried Eric to the dams twice now & he just walks back ! I'm sure he thinks he is human. He eats out of our hands now. He holds his own when they get their bread & does not let anyone push him around but still does not hiss just stands his ground. He really is such a lovable gentle bird so I don't regret getting him/her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It's not breeding season til June July Winter here so no one is really doing the hot & heavy at the moment. There should be ample time for them to sort themselves out before pairing off begins. We have carried Eric to the dams twice now & he just walks back ! I'm sure he thinks he is human. He eats out of our hands now. He holds his own when they get their bread & does not let anyone push him around but still does not hiss just stands his ground. He really is such a lovable gentle bird so I don't regret getting him/her.

I am so happy you have no regrets he/she sounds awesome.

Being not breeding season yet gives Eric plenty of time to feel at home before things get going for breeding season . You may see a big change in him then if a gander. lol