My geese suddenly want to eat me alive

[mominoz]

I am not so sure the hitting is a good idea. I had geese years ago and never had a problem....Now I've had them again for 2+ years. I have read others that said they got aggressive and hissed back and it only made it worse. Dave Holderread the well-known and respected waterfowl breeder and (bookwriter on care). Says to move slowly, even stopping and standing still. I have been using this with my ganders , and saying 'goose" ! firmly. But the moving slowly is important I think. I had them getting hissy when I fed and nipping at my hand, I stopped pouring the food, said "GOOSE"! and waited while they slowly retreated. This had worked all the time, unless I forget and begin to walk fast or move quick. Talking to them and moving slower than normal during breeding season seems to be the most effective and has worked even as they are in the height of breeding season. I believe the moving fast make s them instinctively attack during breeding season , much like a fast movement sets off a cat.... Others have said that attacking back, seems to ruin the trust later ....FWIW

 

[arherp]

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It's called.. wait for it... breeding season.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

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I really do like this idea but I don't think this will work for me. I tried to move very slow and did a few times and spoke firmly at them. When I put my hand in it was like flies on poop! They were all over me in the blink of an eye. Of course if I were outside and could move around I would be more willing to try this.

 

[mominoz]

I 've read that hands and arms are taken as 'wings' by the birds and an aggressive move....so keeping your hands by your sides might help, of course when I pour food, if they lunge at he food, my hand puring it . I stop, say goose and wait still until they retreat, the n I pour again, course I try to put the food in before they get to their night pen or I wait until th ey move away....a form of ' conditioning' actually.... don't reward bad behavior, and try to extinguish negative behavior. Pain may work with animals but it is rarely the best way and usually bites you in the fanny down the road......

 

[shelleyd2008]

They are not doing it to your husband because they are used to you and they know you won't hurt them. It is breeding season, you need to show them who's boss or have your husband care for them. It will pass in a few months.

My tom turkey was the sweetest to me until a few months ago, now it's gotten to where I have to feed them at night so he doesn't attack me. But anyone else can go in there with no problems.

 

[Jennyhaschicks]

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A few months??? I was hoping it would pass in a few weeks.

My hubby can't care for them in the afternoon so I guess it's up to me to feed them and water them.

 

[goosedragon]

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A few months??? I was hoping it would pass in a few weeks.

My hubby can't care for them in the afternoon so I guess it's up to me to feed them and water them.

Mateing season is over everywhere by June, sooner in the south or if you get a solid week of hot weather.

 

[thekid]

a baseball bat always works

 

[pips&peeps]

One of my ganders got ahold of me the other day and beat the h e double hockey sticks out of me with his wings. OWWWIEEE!

Two nights ago he came at me again and bit me real hard and I screamed (something profane). My labrador was outside the fence waiting for me to come out of the "chicken area" because he is not allowed in, nor does he bother the birds, and he went nuts! He started barking and growling at my gander and it distracted the little booger enough that I could collect my eggs and limp away. I think I will take him out with me again tonight so I can try to do my work unscathed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

last year i was kneeling down taking some boards down that i had put up to keep baby chicks from going into dogs part of the yard when out of the blue my Emden gander bit me on the upper lip. My goodness did that hurt, I do not kneel down now with out first seeing where he is. It's a miracle I didn't get my lip bit off. It was not a pretty site. So always be sure you know where they are, those necks are long.