Goose acting shy?

[starrymutt]

I'm wondering if one of my females is being bullied. I have 5 geese, three are about 5 months old and two are 3 months old. Two ganders, assuming but 90% sure, and three females.

I noticed today and yesterday that my one female, who normally comes up to me (they all generally get excited to see me) and cuddles, ran away today. They all avoided me for the most part and when I'd try to pet, she would rattle her neck at me.IIn general they all seemed annoyed by me when before I was Mama.

She's definitely the most docile and quite one but lately as the two goslings have gotten older, she's on the lower end of the group, always in the back of the row. They chew on her wings (not sure if preening) and kinda boss her around. She says away from the group and tonight while putting them in, she almost seemed afraid?

I also heard kinda aggressive or annoyed sounds inside the coop but couldn't see inside.

Any ideas? Help?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally if I see one being pushed away it means it's not feeling well. Have you noticed any symptoms like not eating or looser droppings? Is that possible with geese?

Also could be they are getting old enough to start pairing up with the males, and she's not interested in that yet. You will probably need to find another home or get more females. Generally 2-4 females per gander is best.

I don't handle my geese, so I'm unsure if that's normal for them to pull away at some point or not.

 

[Berd Man]

All geese are different, just like people. So there is some variability in their temperaments and habits sometimes.

I raise geese from goslings and often, even though I’m imprinting on them, as they grow older they become less attached to me. If there are more geese around to bond with and become part of a flock, the faster it always seems to happen. This is a good thing.

Geese quiver/rattle their necks when excited, agitated, or nervous. If she’s doing it and then exhibiting avoidance then it’s maybe nervousness. Could be that she’s moved down in rank, it could also just be her growing into more of a flock bird as opposed to a human imprinted gosling.

Ive seen the neck quivering shortly before getting bit as well, so just keep your wits about you lol had a gander that would get real excited and shaky… then when I’d turn around he’d bite me. Sometimes geese just grow up to be a bit cranky about your big human mug being in their space.