Help!! Need some advise about my geese!!!

[JaciesCoop]

Ok, I need help and advise!!

I have a gander and a 9 month old female toulouse.
Chris the gander is normally a sweet guy. Loves to be held and follows us everywhere. Essie is not so nice. In fact she can be a witch!

The last two days they have been fighting. Or maybe mating?? Since I've never paid attention to geese mating I'm not sure which but they get each other by the neck and do not let go!!! Is this fighting or mating?? Should we break them up or let them go at it??

Last night we put them in adjoining but separate pens for the night because they got into again in their pen. I let them out this morning and it wasn't 30 minutes till they started again so I locked her in a pen but feel really bad about it because that means she can't get to the creek.

What to do!!????
Thanks for any advise.
Jacie

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Are you positive that Essie is a female? From what you are saying, it sounds just like when my males go at it. They grab eachothers neck/chest and flap their wings and dont let go. Im 99.9% positive you have 2 males.

 

[raindrop]

This sounds like mating to me! My pair mate on the pond, so less fuss overall. The ducks have been doing just what you describe recently as well. Tis the season!

 

[raindrop]

Quote:
Well, yes, this is true too! My drakes do this and then the geese come over and bite them until they stop.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Are they facing eachother when they grab eachothers neck, or is one trying to mount the other?

Here is a video of 2 male geese fighting.

If yours are doing this, then they are both males.

 

[JaciesCoop]

Hi again. I'm sure Essie is a female as she has been sexed. But yes they are head to head at first. I don't see anyone trying to mount but I haven't let it get that far. And the other ganders from next door chase her all the time when they can get over here.

Jacie

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

If they are fighting head to head, then it is 2 males. Females and males dont fight head to head, in fact, they dont fight at all. Was she sexed by a breeder who has experience sexing geese?

Also, do they both have the same pitched honk? Males honks tend to be higher pitched and hens lower pitched.

 

[JaciesCoop]

Well I'm very confused now. LOL! The other ganders from next door were trying to mount her. Not head to head. And even the ducks were trying???
Her honk is lower and she is much bigger than Chris who is 3 years old and she is 10 months (I just checked the calendar).
But they have fought the last 2 times head to head. So she is showing all the signs of a female to the other geese but here we are!!??

She was purchased from our local feed store who ordered them special for me and they were guaranteed to be females. (I had 2 but we lost one at 3 weeks)

Should I keep them separate for awhile because up until the last 2 days they have been fine. Hated to be separated and were always together.

Jacie

 

[Cara]

My male geese are bigger than my females. The males and females never fight. I don't think you can tell by their voice, unlike with ducks. Sounds like two males.

 

[jvls1942]

then, are you sure the other is a male?

as long as there is no blood lost, I would let them do their thing..

they might mount backward at first, being that they are new to the game.. maybe he senses that she is ready, but she feels that she is not THAT ready.. do you have a small pool where they can both get in? You did say you had a creek or pond, right??

sort of herd them toward the water, they have a much easier time of it in the water.. It will look like he is drowning her, but never fear, he will not destroy his only playmate..