Goslings of 2014 Hatch-a-long

[8GeeseALaying]

If that picture is of Ethel, then Ethel is Not a muscovey. Thats a half grown gosling.

 

[livininbrazil]

Hi guys, I have questions again.

1. When I pet Forest (we have been calling her G.G. since we now think she is a female) she frequently rubs her head on my hand in the same manner as when she is spreading around her oil. Is she trying to tell me that I am stinky and is trying to "clean" me? Is this her way of preening me? It is definitely a nice gentle thing that she is doing. I am wondering if this is a common thing (like cats rubbing their faces on you when they are happy) that pet/imprinted geese do?

2. I know this is a geese thread but a lot of you have ducks. I have recently discovered that my rescued, abused blue fawn muscovy (the smallest of the flock) has decided that she is going to rule the bunch. She keeps beating up on the other ducks and drakes. I know that the ducks also display dominate behavior to establish pecking order, but she is flat out abusing my biggest drake. He is about 4 months old and still has his duckling sounds. He is the biggest bird we have because he was bred to be a meat bird. He is one of 4 siblings we have and has never had a problem until now. Ethel is chasing him and attaching herself to the feathers behind his neck. He starts screaming and running around in circles and she holds on like a tractor trailer ! It's a really weird site to see this 4lb ragged feather missing duck beat up on a beautiful quiet gentle drake that is 4 times bigger than her. I stop and separate her because it causes such stress in the group. Harry is not aggressive and doesnt fight back.

Why is she picking on him? I could understand it if he was hormonal and bullying the other hens, but he isnt yet. Is she trying to establish control before he turns into a teenager? She is being an A-hole and causing stress in the whole group. The other 5 ducks love Harry. They run to him and dance around him head bobbing and circling.

What should I do to keep peace in the flock? Yesterday I separated Ethel and put her in a nighttime coop for the day. As soon as I put her with the flock this morning, She went straight to him and attacked him again.
Should I rehome her or is there a way to stop this behavior?
Picture was taken yesterday. They were watching tv together like this for a long time. =)

Cats rub their faces on you to mark their scent on you. I would guess Forest is reacting to the feel of you stroking her, like a dog will scratch himself if you rub him in the right place, etc.
Can you post a pic of Ethel?

I am not sure based on the picture (which is very cute by the way) but I have never seen a duck with that sort of head and bill. Perhaps Ethel is a goose????? A ducks bill is pretty much always sort of flat and the nostrils on the bird in the picture sure say goose to me.

This is Forest, she´s a goose, AKA GG

 

[livininbrazil]

If that picture is of Ethel, then Ethel is Not a muscovey. Thats a half grown gosling.

Yes, but Ethel is something else.....

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, but Ethel is something else.....

 

[andreacroyle]

That is adorable, were they watching animal planet?

as for this duck behavior are you sure the abuser is a duck? i have had some of my older ducks go after a younger drake but never attack them like your describing, either separate her from the rest for good or rehome is all I can think of. Keeping the flock all stressed out isn't good. My goslings love to go up and nibble on me but i haven't had one rub me but mine are not as imprinted as Forest is either. I'm sure she either thinks she is human or you all are geese.

Lydia, I will take a video of the behavior so you can see it.

 

[andreacroyle]

Yes, but Ethel is something else.....

LOL!! That is a pic of Forest and my son! Ethel is a muscovy hen. Ethel is the older duck that has a "spot" in her eye that I posted about last month.

 

[andreacroyle]

I am not sure based on the picture (which is very cute by the way) but I have never seen a duck with that sort of head and bill. Perhaps Ethel is a goose????? A ducks bill is pretty much always sort of flat and the nostrils on the bird in the picture sure say goose to me.

My apologies! I should have labeled the picture I posted. The picture is of my son and Forest watching tv. Forest is our special needs imprinted gosling that we keep inside. Ethel is very much a muscovy hen.

 

[andreacroyle]

Miss Lydia, I love you new profile pic!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Miss Lydia, I love you new profile pic!

Thanks, I love yours too, and when it cools off today I will take some pics of mines 3 month birthday. they will have a pool party. lol course they always have a pool party.

 

[8GeeseALaying]

Could have specified who was in the picture