Lonely gander when goose is on a nest....

[DoodlesDuckies]

Morning. I have 2 geese-a pair. I allowed my goose to sit on 2 eggs. It has been 2 weeks. She seems to be doing well, wanders around a couple times a day to eat and stretch her legs and yell at anyone who will listen. My gander Rusty seems very lonely. He sleeps by her at night but you can hear her complain to him whenever he pokes his head in the hut by her. He follows her around when she is out-she isn't fighting him but is making noises the entire time. Rusty was SO mean to everyone a month ago that the ducks haven't accepted his apology and they don't really acknowledge him when he tries to fit in. Cannot hardly blame them, he was pretty mean for awhile there.

In short, trying not to put human feelings to this...is he going to be ok with her on the nest or should I pull the eggs and give him his wife back?

Renee

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He's fine. The gander sometimes will sit close to guard the goose while she's setting. Hopefully they hatch. Than he should be an attentive father.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

He's fine. The gander sometimes will sit close to guard the goose while she's setting. Hopefully they hatch. Than he should be an attentive father.

I hope they hatch too.

They are a cute couple and I don't want him getting sick or heartbroken with her having this change in behavior. In all honesty, I really miss his mean SOB attitude lately. You get so used to the hissing, biting, charging and loud screaming that when it is gone you think something is wrong. LOL!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I hope they hatch too.

They are a cute couple and I don't want him getting sick or heartbroken with her having this change in behavior. In all honesty, I really miss his mean SOB attitude lately. You get so used to the hissing, biting, charging and loud screaming that when it is gone you think something is wrong. LOL!

He's well aware of why she's setting. Don't know how they know, but they know. My geese are done laying and hatching and are starting to molt. They are getting more quiet and less rowdy as hormones settle down.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

He's well aware of why she's setting. Don't know how they know, but they know. My geese are done laying and hatching and are starting to molt. They are getting more quiet and less rowdy as hormones settle down.

Rusty molted his big wing feathers, I almost had a heart attack- it looked like a murder scene when he would walk/fly across the yard in the mornings. Eddie has been laying eggs every other day for a few months and I kept taking them. I went out of town and my fiance was caring for the birds and he said she was sitting and he wasn't going to take the eggs because she is "scary"...ppppftt...nonsense.
I came back, she was in a good, safe spot and was being a good mama- I couldn't take them away. Gotta let her try right?!?

This was my first spring with Rusty and he gave me a run for my money when spring hit. Cried many tears asking why he hated me so much suddenly. I think Eddie even told him to knock it off a few times. Was rough for everyone. I learned to adapt to him.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That spring hormone rush is very startling the first year. I nearly gave mine up. Now I know to expect a few rowdy months, before everyone becomes more docile and easier to talk to again.

Now I'm vested in your eggs and hope they hatch. Geese are usually wonderful parents, but be aware they defend them fiercely.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Day 30 is July 26...so hopefully that last week of July is hatching. Should have enough warm weather to get them big enough for our brutal winters.

I am curious how the 7 ducks will handle this. They all share 5 acres to roam- at night ducks go in a hut of their own. Will be interesting if this goes well.

I got Rusty last July from a homestead elderly lady-she claims he was a couple years old. After this spring I know why she wanted to rehome him. I will stick it out with him. I adore him, even when he is growly mean and bites.

So I take it they wont allow me to handle the babies. That's a shame...I just want to cuddle with them. I raised Eddie from an egg and she won't let me handle her either.

Always something, I tell ya.

Renee

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Probably won't even let you look at them for a week or so. Goslings grow very fast, and geese are very winter hardy. Mine often choose to sleep outside at night in the winter.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Probably won't even let you look at them for a week or so. Goslings grow very fast, and geese are very winter hardy. Mine often choose to sleep outside at night in the winter.

I locked my geese up in an insulated kid's playhouse at night. Now they are fenced in with the option to go in their hut. Eddie took it over for a nursery now so...Rusty lays on the front porch of the hut. LOL!

Geese seem to be more aware of their surroundings than the ducks. Ducks are kind of dingy when in the yard. Just don't pay much attention unless you have food. The geese are VERY aware of what's in the air, on the ground or where I am. Very different birds.

I have often wondered about just letting them decide where to sleep at night. Don't want anyone attacked.