My Africans (A close call! 1/05)

[Soccer Mom]

Tonight I went out to put up my geese and there were only 7 of the 10. The remaining 7 were very restless. I finally located Wheezie in the pond on the wrong side of the fence. We share a large pond with a neighbor and there is a fence that butts up to the pond. I was able to get her back across, but in the panic she seems to have a small puncture from my neighbors' barbed wire.

I'm still missing two. It was getting dark, but when I tried to determine who was missing. I seem to be short one of the males (Not Schnitzel or JR. They were definitely present) and I seem to be missing Bratty Girl. I have trouble imagining something carrying off not one but TWO large geese. I suspect that they have snuck off and built themselves a lovenest somewhere.

Oh, I hope they're off hiding and are okay tonight. There is a lot of acreage they could hide on if they have gone to my neighbors' property, but the area is infested with coyotes at night.

At least 8 are safe, but I"m worried about my missing pair.

 

[Wifezilla]

 

[shelleyd2008]

Oh no!! Sounds like the geese need to be grounded until they can learn to stay home! I hope they turn up

 

[SunnyChic]

I know you must be going crazy; I hope you find them tomorrow!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I am so sorry about the missing geese. I hope you find them in the morning.

I had two of mine disappear too and we are pretty sure it was coyote. There was no trace of either one of them and only a coyote could do that. At least that is what the trapper we hired told my DH. A smaller predator would have left feathers behind due to a struggle.

Good luck Soccer Mom.

 

[MsMelvin]

Oh my; I am sitting on the edge of my seat!!! Please be okay; Please be okay; Please be okay........

I wonder if Wheezie was following the missing two and changed course to head back home...perhaps it's a direction to start off in this morning? Good luck! (wish we were closer to help with the search). C'mon Bratty girl, get your butt home!!!

 

[Soccer Mom]

Nothing this morning. Worse still, I can tell in the daylight that the missing are Bratty Girl and Puddles. I have to go to work now, but I'll tramp around and look for them as soon as I can get home this afternoon.

Wheezie really doesn't feel great. I babied her a bit this morning--carried her out of the house to the pool and watched over her until she started following the others around and grooming herself. She splashed a bit and seemed perkier afterwards. I think she hurt her wing. She isn't flapping it and objects when I stretch it out.

I hope she'll be okay. She's probably the sweetest, least aggressive goose I have.

 

[SunnyChic]

I know you must have hated to go to work this morning; I hope they come back home and Wheezie gets to feeling better soon.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I am so sorry, I know just how you are feeling right now. Not to be gloomy but the trapper explained to me that coyote usually run in packs.

I saw some here early in the mornings and before dusk at night. Even in broad daylight. Once they find a meal, they come back.

If you can keep them in a confined high pen when you aren't home or with them that would be a good thing. Or maybe an electric fence. I would love one of those.

The other thought, could it be a human predator?

I really am sorry.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Still no geese. The others seem reluctant to leave the pond. I doubt they are human preditors since I'm way out in the middle of nowhere--except if the two girls travelled too terribly far off into the woods. It is hunting season.

These geese have never roamed though and the ones left don't want to roam. If I lose another goose, I will have to start confining them during the day. I hate that and so will they.