Goose killing chickens !

[pamperedgirl]

1 Year old female Chinese Gray Goose is suddenly killing the chickens she has been raised with since they were all born. They free range and then sleep together at night. Came home Monday to find 2 dead chickens. She appears to be smothering them! Later on saw her sitting on top of another one. Yesterday went out to the coop in the morning and she had ripped a hole in the back of another one overnight!

I have never heard of this happening before and have been googling like crazy to find answers! Is she losing her mind? She has been hand raised and never been aggressive to anything or anyone. Is this broodiness? Is she trying to mate with them?

Anyone else have this happen?

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she may be trying to mate with them. I would separate her from the flock before she injures/kills more.

 

[pamperedgirl]

It sounds as if she may be trying to mate with them. I would separate her from the flock before she injures/kills more.

Yes I was wondering if that was it and it may just be temporary. I guess we would either have to let her roam free and keep the chickens in the run or vice versa... and separate them somehow for sleeping... not easy!

 

[nuthatched]

Are you sure it's a female? Geese need geese friends, especially during hormone season.

 

[pamperedgirl]

Are you sure it's a female? Geese need geese friends, especially during hormone season.

Yes she started laying eggs the end of February so definintely a female. I owned a female Chinese years ago as well and never ever had a problem like this! Maybe we need to get her a buddy - but not sure if she would attack a smaller goose too!

 

[Goosebaby]

Yes she started laying eggs the end of February so definintely a female. I owned a female Chinese years ago as well and never ever had a problem like this! Maybe we need to get her a buddy - but not sure if she would attack a smaller goose too!

I would get her another goose to bond with and make a separate enclosure for them where they can’t access the chickens at night.
She’s trying to breed with them like @sourland said, and separating her without a friend is very cruel.

 

[pamperedgirl]

I would get her another goose to bond with and make a separate enclosure for them where they can’t access the chickens at night.
She’s trying to breed with them like @sourland said, and separating her without a friend is very cruel.

Thanks I appreciate the insight! Trying to find another adult Chinese goose may be tough, so will see what we can do

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I was wondering if that was it and it may just be temporary. I guess we would either have to let her roam free and keep the chickens in the run or vice versa... and separate them somehow for sleeping... not easy!

Very large dog crate. I keep one in my coop and when my female goose is rowdy she gets to sleep in it overnight, Does her a world of good. She still gets to be with her ducks and chickens but she can't bully anyone. Once mine starts to molt she'll calm down.