Goose questions

[moso121]

We got a Brown Chinese Goose last year. It was the last one for sale and we felt bad for it so we got it. At first we thought it was a female but now we're pretty sure it's a male. We let him free range all summer and fall, but now he started to get a little aggressive so we have him in a pen most of the time. He's friendly towards me and my oldest daughter but will be aggressive towards my youngest. If we were to get a mate for him, would it help on the aggressiveness? Would getting another goose be best or could we get a few ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

We got a Brown Chinese Goose last year. It was the last one for sale and we felt bad for it so we got it. At first we thought it was a female but now we're pretty sure it's a male. We let him free range all summer and fall, but now he started to get a little aggressive so we have him in a pen most of the time. He's friendly towards me and my oldest daughter but will be aggressive towards my youngest. If we were to get a mate for him, would it help on the aggressiveness? Would getting another goose be best or could we get a few ducks?

If you get ducks more than likely he'll mate with them and fight with a drake, Getting him a mate would just be a kind thing to do for him because they are flock ani mals and like to be around their own kind. Most all ganders are aggressive during mating season it's just in their nature to be protective of their mate and nest area. [which could be the whole back yard] So it would be best if you have small children to keep them away from a gander during mating season, and even a goose can get pretty hateful especially if sitting on a nest. But it will pass come late spring earlysummer and the family can once again be with them. Geese need to be taught right off who is top goose in their family and it should be you first then children, they come in last. the geese that is. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/561849/geese-training and

 

[BunkyB]

Hi, Steve here. I have had geese a long time and I really think the goose needs buddies around. In my humble opinion geese are not the best at being alone and companionship is a necessity. Whether it be another goose or ducks, it should not matter. As for the aggressiveness, the little tyke may just be the right height and when the head lowers it is a sign of protectiveness and can be aggressiveness as well. I hear a lot about goose training but I never gave it a second thought. My geese are harmless to everyone here except at treat time. They sometimes like to take a little finger with their bread pieces or bagels as I feed mine...

 

[Nyssa03]

We got a Brown Chinese Goose last year. It was the last one for sale and we felt bad for it so we got it. At first we thought it was a female but now we're pretty sure it's a male. We let him free range all summer and fall, but now he started to get a little aggressive so we have him in a pen most of the time. He's friendly towards me and my oldest daughter but will be aggressive towards my youngest. If we were to get a mate for him, would it help on the aggressiveness? Would getting another goose be best or could we get a few ducks?

Hi - the thread that Miss Lydia suggested is really helpful - I learned allot and have had much better luck dealing with my "protective ganders" since reading it - I really had very little problem with them (personally) before mating season - but they have really ramped up their aggressive behavior in the last few weeks.
I have had some instances in the past where they have become very aggressive with my ducks when the ducks were mating.- and since they are so much larger there is always the potential for injury. - so during mating season we keep them in separate pastures and separate houses at night. Someone else may be able to tell you for sure, but my thought would be another gander if you just want a companion, or a couple of geese if you want eggs and to eventually have goslings. Getting a goose for him probably won't make him less aggressive -