Lonely And Sick Feral Goose

[lena_]

There is a local park quite close by, where people often give bread to the ducks. Of course, whilst it is traditional, it's not good for the ducks, and on the Northland (Where I live)facebook page they announced that all the bread released a toxic bloom into the water. And sure enough, multiple ducks have died because of it.

Unfortunately, the majority of ducks there have been abandoned, and were obviously domestic. But, a couple of weeks ago I noticed there was a goose that had been dumped. The goose was VERY skinny and was sitting on the grass with his head under his wing. I got in touch with the council, who basically told me that I could catch it if I wanted to, and that it would be killed in the annual park cull anyway if I didn't. I don't know what to do really, The park is very public, and has a ton of people that walk around all day, so I couldn't leave a live trap (I also don't have one big enough). So would the best thing to do catch it with a net? I may be posting in the wrong thread? I have a large dog crate that the goose could quarantine in if I did catch it.

I have been planning to get geese for a while anyway, and I am wondering if this would be a place to start. I feel very bad for the goose, who's just been dumped by the pond with no company, and a poor diet. But to wrap this intro up, I have a few main questions.

Should I catch this goose?

How could I catch the goose, I do have a net, but I really don't want to stress him

Should I get more geese before I catch him?

That's all, I'm just really not sure?

 

[Pyxis]

Oh my goodness, I hope you can catch and save the poor thing. I would try a net and see if you can catch it that way.

After you catch him and he passes quarantine, definitely get another goose or two to keep it company.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Although I understand you feel sorry for this goose, if you're serious about wanting a flock of geese, starting with a sick bird from unknown origin is probably not the way to go. Imagine if he has some sort of illness and you get several other gees, and then they all have problems or pass away because of it.

If you still feel compelled to try and save him, I'd at least have him alone in quarantine for a good while to make sure there's nothing obviously wrong other than a poor diet.

 

[Percheron chick]

I'd catch him and give him a chance if you have someplace to keep him away from any birds you already have. Try first a couple heads of romaine lettuce. Tear off a bite sized piece and toss it right in front of him (hopefully her). Every goose knows how yummy lettuce is. That might be all it takes for him to come up to you. Place one hand around his neck and scoop him up with the other. Clamp his wings against his body. Keep control of his neck. He can squirm and scream but if you immobilise his wings and neck, he can't get away from you. If he doesn't let you approach him, a fishing net (looks like an overgrown butterfly net) is less stressful then chasing him down. Geese are easy to drive. If you have some help, you can move him away from the water to a better area to catch him. Just stroll behind him driving him in the direction you want to go. It is a skill being able to anticipate his moves but the key is to go slow and don't over stimulate him. Then go catch a duck for a buddy.