Goose Pack Attack

[Tuhmu]

So quick medical question. My single turkey that I keep with my mixed flock (3 geese, 6 ducks, and 10 chickens), was the victim of a vicious goose attack. The geese ripped the feathers out on what would be considered her shoulders I suppose, a little bit on her head, causing a lot of blood and she doesn't seem to want to stretch her wings or anything now.

So I sprayed some iodine wound spray on her, and moved her into the "people" half of my barn. To avoid the chickens pecking at it more. She eats and drinks, just doesn't seem interested in flying or anything now and just seems ....down.

Is there anything I can really do for her? I'm thinking I'll just keep applying the spray and once I don't see blood anymore, move her back with the hens.

The geese have since been moved to my empty coop, there's a chicken that shows some of the same evidence just not bloody. Honestly I'm over geese and probably waterfowl in general. This is my second go with geese, the first pair turned mean also. These three haven't been mean to me yet, just hiss but they are to everything else. Plus waterfowl are just a pain to take care of in the winter and made my coop such a mess.

Vent over. haha

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

In many cases it's the turkey that is the bully. I haven't had geese and never will, they don't sound pleasant. I usually use bluekote to disguise the color of blood, otherwise I leave most wounds alone to heal up by themselves. Is your turkey a hen? Was the goose trying to breed it maybe?

 

[Tuhmu]

She is a hen yes. I'm going to pick up more blue kote, I could not find mine anywhere. I just had that iodine wound spray stuff.

The goose could have been trying to breed her I suppose, but I think it was more of a latching on type deal which I've seen happen before and just thought it was a pecking order type action since he let go right away. Now that the, I assume gander(s), are getting more mature they are starting to feel more protective of the hen(s). I'm pretty sure I have 2 ganders and a hen but I'm not 100% on that, though I do know one is for sure a hen.

Definitely going to look into adding a couple more turkeys once the waterfowl have been rehomed.....the geese at least, the ducks I do like and may end up keeping them but getting them their own winter quarters. They're just so darn messy when they cant just hang out in the pond all day.

I never thought I would like a turkey, so if more are as personable I wouldn't mind having a few more. Mine is very people friendly and likes to sit by you or on your lap, fly up on the fence to see you, follows me around the yard, plus makes the coolest sounds. I'm assuming I may run into a different scenario with a tom but there's always thanksgiving for that.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Turkeys can be too friendly in my opinion. Some can be aloof if not handled a lot, but all will come running and follow me everywhere, that's why mine have a large run. They do free range a bit during warmer weather.

I have 7 muscovy duck hens. They will be my last as I have grown tired of them messing up the waterers. During winter they always make a mess. Geese have always terrified me.

Your turkey hen will probably enjoy more of her own kind. My toms are just as friendly as my hens, my hens are more nosey.