Injured Canada Goose. What should I do?

[benevolent_leonela]

Canada geese are very intelligent & can be friendly. I have a resident canada goose on my property who I nursed back to health, him and my domesticated pair have all became friends

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Just an update:

I was getting worried about my favorite goose "Gooslyn" after not seeing her (unsure on gender) for 2.5 weeks, but she's back and seems to be doing well. She was here all day yesterday and left after dark and she was here before I got to the pond this morning. I did notice some feather damage on her back (mating?) so that's why I'm thinking she's a girl. There's a possibility that I'm wrong of course.

 

[benevolent_leonela]

Is she walking okay? Have a good appetite? If she's mated already I wonder where her mate is.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Is she walking okay? Have a good appetite? If she's mated already I wonder where her mate is.

She doesn't walk. She hops around on the one foot. Sadly she doesn't swim well either without the use of the injured foot/leg. She is very handicapped but has been this way since I've known her at least a year. I'm guessing she's been mated due to the feather damage on her back. She's come alone on most occasions but she's also been with a flock. She does tend to be more of a loner.

 

[benevolent_leonela]

Sorry, forgot about the story of this gooses foot injury. Been awhile since I've seen this thread. I'm sure it's a little heart breaking to have to watch her struggle a little bit in everything she does but she sounds like a trooper, she does what she has to do to get by. If it were me I would keep a close eye on her and give her grain, treat her to a cut up apple or some cabbage. That way you know she's well fed.

My canada goose friend has taken a big leap in integrating with his wild kin. I raised him up from a gosling, he was abandoned or lost from his flock. It was a very chilly evening and he was getting far too cold and weak. April marks a year since he's been in my life and this past Saturday he took off with some other canada geese. He hasn't been back since and I sure hope he's doing okay.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Sorry, forgot about the story of this gooses foot injury. Been awhile since I've seen this thread. I'm sure it's a little heart breaking to have to watch her struggle a little bit in everything she does but she sounds like a trooper, she does what she has to do to get by. If it were me I would keep a close eye on her and give her grain, treat her to a cut up apple or some cabbage. That way you know she's well fed.

My canada goose friend has taken a big leap in integrating with his wild kin. I raised him up from a gosling, he was abandoned or lost from his flock. It was a very chilly evening and he was getting far too cold and weak. April marks a year since he's been in my life and this past Saturday he took off with some other canada geese. He hasn't been back since and I sure hope he's doing okay.

I feed her Southern States Floating Waterfowl Feed and offer scratch grain about twice a month. I haven't tried any fruits but I've got an apple that I'll cut up for her now. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

I really loved reading about your goose friend. Thank you so much for sharing that. As intelligent as they are, I'd bet he'd be back "home" if things weren't going well. I'd be worried too so I understand your concern. The past 2.5 weeks have been tough while I was thinking up all kinds of scenarios as to why Gooslyn hasn't visited. She was probably just being taken care of somewhere else. I can't be the only one that's fallen in love with her so I hope she has a few places to go and get spoiled just a little bit.

 

[benevolent_leonela]

I feed her Southern States Floating Waterfowl Feed and offer scratch grain about twice a month. I haven't tried any fruits but I've got an apple that I'll cut up for her now. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

I really loved reading about your goose friend. Thank you so much for sharing that. As intelligent as they are, I'd bet he'd be back "home" if things weren't going well. I'd be worried too so I understand your concern. The past 2.5 weeks have been tough while I was thinking up all kinds of scenarios as to why Gooslyn hasn't visited. She was probably just being taken care of somewhere else. I can't be the only one that's fallen in love with her so I hope she has a few places to go and get spoiled just a litt

He has definitely left before to float down the river with inner tubers and kayakers before, the river goers nick-named him "Maverick". He has always been home by dark but this time is a little different. I am sure he's doing well but of course I always assume the worst! He's strong, healthy and alert that I know. I didn't think I would be so sad... This must be what it's like when your kids leave you!

I look forward to his visitations. He's such a sweet, gentle bird. Wouldn't surprise me if he found some seed in another person's yard and has camped out for a bit! Wishing the best for Gooslyni have such a new and special appreciation for Canada geese.

 

[Davethebirdman]

Yesterday late morning I noticed about 20 to 25 Canada Geese on our pond. We came out and fed them some floating water fowl feed and left scratch on the bank of the pond. About an hour and a half later, my daughter came in and told me that one of the geese was at the fence that contains an area right outside our back door. ~We keep our 4 ducks in this fenced area because we've been treating one for bumblefoot and another has a chronic limp due to a foot deformity from hatch. The other 2 hang out at the fence the entire day, so we just keep all 4 in the fenced in area. ~ And it was "jumping" at the fence. I found the goose sitting outside the fence. Upon further investigation, the goose is suffering from an injury to its foot or leg. The other geese eventually flew off last night but I don't believe the injured one went with them. I found the injured goose outside the fence again early this afternoon, still unable to use it's left leg/foot. It's able to fly but has to hop around on one foot. It's in the pond right now and we're making sure it's fed (it eats really well) and hydrated anytime it's not in the pond. It does allow me to get kinda close, but not close enough to put my hands on it. I know this goose needs medical attention asap but I worry that if I call the wrong person, this goose will be euthanized without consideration on the injury and the possibility of a positive outcome. On the other side of the road where I live is a gated community that has been working on eliminating the Canada Goose population with lots of effort and backing from the entire community. I am willing to try to help this goose and have an extra set of adult hands to help as well, but I don't want to break the law or harm this goose in any way, nor do I want to cause any problems for my ducks or chickens. I know it's illegal to keep a Canada Goose and I wholeheartedly respect that law, but I can't stand the fact that this goose is suffering. I've lined up help in the event that capturing the goose is ok to do. I needed some of the smartest folks I know to help me figure out how to proceed. If I need some sense talked into me, I will gladly accept that as well. I am just so torn but desperately want to help, if I can in any way.

You have a bird rescue in your area?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You have a bird rescue in your area?

Unfortunately I don't have one nearby and the others aren't willing to send someone so far to catch her. They'll take her if I catch her and take her to them but since she's getting around, eating and able to avoid capture (haven't tried lately) I don't want to stress her out or make her feel like she can't trust me. She's getting nutritional feed on a regular basis and isn't harassed by others whenever she's here, so I feel like things could be much worse. Since her leg has been like this for so long, I feel like she'd be euthanized and I don't think she wants that at this point. Her will to live keeps her going. Hopefully her body will hold out

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My sweet friend came for a visit today after TWO MONTHS! I was so happy to see this goose. Sadly, it looks like it's been injured. Notice the scarring between the eye and bill. Thankfully it looks to be healed. There's also quite a bit a feather damage. This goose is always alone so I'm not sure if she's been attacked by something or bullied. She was comfortable getting even more close today and ate a lot. Every time I went outside, I'd take some feed and she'd eat. On the positive side, I don't see any inflammation or injury to the handicapped leg or foot. She hops around really well but seems to enjoy getting behind me to eat so I can keep the other geese away from her. She's flying well still. Swimming is a bit challenging because of her foot that doesn't work. Another thing I noticed is that she attempts to scratch the left side of her face quite a bit. She just holds her head down and that foot barely moves, not making contact at all. I wish I could scratch it for her. If she's healing from an injury, this has probably helped, even though it's sad. I wish I knew what happened because there is significant scarring.

Is anyone able to tell me what gender this goose is? I'd appreciate it. Even if it's a female, I never see it with a mate.