Geese training?

[Chaneys Ranch]

I just peeked, today's hatch day, I have internal PIP on Goose #2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Turkeytruff]

good luck with the new hatch!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you! I am so happy to see the baby's still active. We lost power here, and out of over 30 eggs, 5 were still alive. It was just heartbreaking. I did mason jars with hot water, wrapped my bators in blankets, everything I could but I knew I lost several. The rest are due next Tuesday! Lost several of my chicken eggs too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you! I am so happy to see the baby's still active. We lost power here, and out of over 30 eggs, 5 were still alive. It was just heartbreaking. I did mason jars with hot water, wrapped my bators in blankets, everything I could but I knew I lost several. The rest are due next Tuesday! Lost several of my chicken eggs too.

Sorry about the power outage and losing some of your eggs, but so happy to hear some made it through and you have pips !!!

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I joined BYC yesterday because of this old thread. I want to throw another thank you out to Olive Hill, Oregon Blues, and everyone else who contributed to the wonderful insight in the thread. Some of the posts reminded me of what Monty Roberts (the horse whisperer) did for horse training.
I've been having some trouble with an adolescent brown chinese gander. A local breeder suggested to me that I should bring Arlo (the gander) to the auction and replace him with a nice gander because he's only worth $12 and his behavior is unacceptable. And that I picked a bad breed and from poor lines so I should just get rid of him. I just couldn't bring myself to do that to his loyal goose (Patsy).
Yes, I imprinted on him and yes, I fed him from my hand, so yes, I screwed up. Yes, Arlo & Patsy are my first geese. Hopefully it's not too late to fix my newbie mistakes.
I had read previously about and tried the hold him still tactic, pointing him down and away from me but he just comes back at me with wings outstretched. I had missed the bump him in the chest step though. Tried it yesterday and he stepped back and just looked at me. Not sure if he got the message or if I just confused him more. Either way, he seemed to back off. I also stopped feeding him from my hand and have made an effort to push him of the way (sometimes without even touching him) as I walk through his area.
I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but armed with some ideas and a plan, so thank you!
Arlo & Patsy thank you too!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I joined BYC yesterday because of this old thread. I want to throw another thank you out to Olive Hill, Oregon Blues, and everyone else who contributed to the wonderful insight in the thread. Some of the posts reminded me of what Monty Roberts (the horse whisperer) did for horse training.
I've been having some trouble with an adolescent brown chinese gander. A local breeder suggested to me that I should bring Arlo (the gander) to the auction and replace him with a nice gander because he's only worth $12 and his behavior is unacceptable. And that I picked a bad breed and from poor lines so I should just get rid of him. I just couldn't bring myself to do that to his loyal goose (Patsy).
Yes, I imprinted on him and yes, I fed him from my hand, so yes, I screwed up. Yes, Arlo & Patsy are my first geese. Hopefully it's not too late to fix my newbie mistakes.
I had read previously about and tried the hold him still tactic, pointing him down and away from me but he just comes back at me with wings outstretched. I had missed the bump him in the chest step though. Tried it yesterday and he stepped back and just looked at me. Not sure if he got the message or if I just confused him more. Either way, he seemed to back off. I also stopped feeding him from my hand and have made an effort to push him of the way (sometimes without even touching him) as I walk through his area.
I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but armed with some ideas and a plan, so thank you!
Arlo & Patsy thank you too!

The first year is really hard, hang in there! My Gee (white chinese) was a tough one too. Now, I would not trade him for 10 geese.
If a gander attacks me, I drop everything and pin him to the ground immediately. Firmly! that's their method of communicating who is flock leader.
Do not let him up right away either. The other goose needs to also see that you are alpha, this will communicate it to her.
It is hard since they are entering the breeding season. Its going to take a few times. Be consistent, firm and patient.
Gee will now attack any rooster or other bird here that challenges me. He is my sidekick and best buddy.
He is a little over 2 years old.


Its worth the effort, don't give up yet!
Meant to add, the bump will work too, add it to the "training" as needed.
Firm and consistent. Just don't back down, you will be fine!

 

[PhoredaBurds]

Thank you jchny2000 for your kind words of encouragement. I had wondered if it was a young bird thing that would pass. Hopefully it is.

I'm sometimes surprised by how enamored I am w these big, loud birds who poop a lot & bite me. I don't know what it is about them. They have so much personality and are so ready to tell me about their day or how excited they get when it's time to refresh their pool (weather permitting).

My heart drops with the thought of giving up on Arlo. I had considered it momentarily when it came to thoughts of days I have to work late or go out of town and need my husband or a friend to take care of the birds. I don't want my help to be attacked. Perhaps the humans just need a little training too.

Colors, yep. I have a big red bucket I've used for weeding that triggers attack mode. Santa brought me a little red bucket to help w chores. I promptly brought it back to the store for a different color. I watched the store employees' eyes glaze over as I tried to explain that my gander doesn't like the color red. The new purple bucket has been very helpful and is hardly noticed.

Jchny2000: how are the hatchlings fr 3/13 doing now? Big & healthy & strutting their stuff?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Thank you jchny2000 for your kind words of encouragement. I had wondered if it was a young bird thing that would pass. Hopefully it is.

I'm sometimes surprised by how enamored I am w these big, loud birds who poop a lot & bite me. I don't know what it is about them. They have so much personality and are so ready to tell me about their day or how excited they get when it's time to refresh their pool (weather permitting).

My heart drops with the thought of giving up on Arlo. I had considered it momentarily when it came to thoughts of days I have to work late or go out of town and need my husband or a friend to take care of the birds. I don't want my help to be attacked. Perhaps the humans just need a little training too.

Colors, yep. I have a big red bucket I've used for weeding that triggers attack mode. Santa brought me a little red bucket to help w chores. I promptly brought it back to the store for a different color. I watched the store employees' eyes glaze over as I tried to explain that my gander doesn't like the color red. The new purple bucket has been very helpful and is hardly noticed.

Jchny2000: how are the hatchlings fr 3/13 doing now? Big & healthy & strutting their stuff?

Thanks for asking! The 3 smallest Chinese, the oldest one is one of the goslings. We sold a few last year, and added Embden, and African also!
This is a "group shot" including most of my pekins.

 

[RURU]

There are so many things you can do to show you are head goose. You open them arms up and flap them showing how big and bad you are. Then as they say the bump on the chest, I have a cane so I take that and bump the chest with it hard enough to let the ganders know momma is the head goose...

I have Sebastopol's and right now is breeding season started and the gander's are super hissy and go after you so you have to stand your ground and show them I am not afraid of you big boy. My cane comes in handy both to walk with and to help keep the boys under control. it also works as a tapper for the rear end to get them to move along like a long walking stick would.

You will catch on and learn what all to do to help train the geese. We also make loud voices and clapping hands to get them running to get into their pens for the night. Good luck dear...

 

[PhoredaBurds]

Jchny2000 your birds all look so happy and healthy. Thanks for sending a pic.

RURU thanks for the advice and encouragement. Arlo is not phased much when I wave my arms around, but I do it anyway.

The Santa that brought me the little red bucket also brought me a large shepherd's hook. I think it's made for showing pigs but when I have it in hand the geese certainly step out of the way. Trouble with that is I only have two hands. Between carrying food and water, its a little cumbersome to carry the stick too.

It is so helpful to read about your birds. Thanks again.