My goose is being fresh!!

[goosedragon]

You All had it coming. you baby these geese until they think they are humans or think you are a goose. Then in the fall when it is time to set up the "pecking order" for the mating season that is coming up they pick on you to see where you fit on the pecking order.
Don't feel bad they do the same thing with their goose parents, Usually after moma or papa has beat the tar out of them a couple of times they get the ideal that the parents are higher on the order than they are and they pick on their brothers and sisters until that order is made clear. If you want to be the boss you have to convince them that you are the boss. you can't beat on them now and give them some loving in 10 minutes it just confuses the issue. Once the order is set up there might be a few hassles when one bird thinks he is better than the bird right above him. And this order has little to do with gender as a female goose can end being the boss and she decides who is suitable to mate her. good luck with your geese but if you don't take a firm hand you will continue to be picked on. ~gd

 

[redhen]

OOh yeah, i hear ya! I dont let him get away with it...
I just didnt like being too rough with him,...
So...i've found a new way...i still have the upper hand with him... i grab him when he attacks...but instead of being too rough with him..i hold him in a hug for a few minutes...then when i let him go..he dosent come back for more...
before,.. i was literally fighting him..lol I'd push him back and he'd charge me again...i'd push him harder..he'd come at me again....He was relentless!..
now...i just grab him and hug him and make him submit...he hates it much more...

 

[Cottage Rose]

I'm surprised its being aggressive already although I had one gander that was extremely aggressive (killed a goose he was raised with) and ended up in the freezer.
My 2009 goslings still are all very friendly.
Typically any I've had are fine until the breeding season which usually starts mid - Feb.
Instead of hugging him, try pinning him down on the ground (hold his head and body down, hovering over him) and for longer than you think you should and don't talk baby talk to him to try to make up for punishing him.
Then turn him loose and if he's close enough to grab, repeat the process all over again.
Anytime he even merely hisses at you, walk directly toward him in an assertive manner and grab him and put him down on the ground.
Be tough and be the boss and he will figure it out.
You should only have to do this a few times unless he's very aggressive
and in that case you may have a bad boy on your hands.

The older geese get the more independent they become. Some that were previously friendly can become timid or aloof, not wanting anything to do with you. Some will remain friendly but not to the degree that they were as goslings. This is the way its suppose to be.
They're just growing up, just like children do.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
So how is that working out for you? I take it that he might leave you alone for a while but the next day its the same old story?

 

[tczahrbo]

I have to agree with GD on this one. Any male fowl will try to establish their dominance over everyone and thing in their kingdom. Unfortunately, this includes the human portion of the flock or gaggle. The only thing that a bird understands in this instance is who is more physically dominant. Once you "educate with authority" the offending birds, you issues will go away---for you. The kids will have to do the same thing to let the bird know they are in charge also. This has led to some comical scenes around our house as the roosters/ganders have a hard time letting the kids their own size win easily. Sometimes the goose runs, sometimes the toddler ends up screaming for Dad. (Mom is not part of the saving equation when it comes to this problem as somehow, she is not far up on the pecking order)

Eventually, respect of a small degree is there and the kids are mostly left alone.
The point is---you will have pretend the attacker is a football and deliver a solid punt. It may seem horrible, but their landings from flying are far worse physically, and more importantly, they realize you are the BOSS!

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

My goose thinks that he is the boss of my CAR, because even though I honk, i never run him over... so i HAVE to stop, and he gets all excited and flaps around, like he's beaten the car.....

 

[DuckLady]

We had a gander among our goslings one year. While they were babies, of course we held them and played with them and they followed us everywhere. How can you resist a baby goose?

The goose in my avatar lets me pick her up frequently, but usually only on her terms. She will crawl into my lap on occasion.

Once they decided they were geese, we respected that. They would eat from our hands and occasionally allow us to stroke the front of their neck.

But they were never aggressive to us or anyone else for that matter. Unless they were sounding an alarm, they talk softly to us.

They did sound off if someone came into the backyard without us being with them. If we were int he back and someone walked in to see us, the gander would get between us until he knew it was ok.

It is all about mutual respect. And kindness. We never chase or hit or act threatening in any way.

 

[Cottage Rose]

There's no such thing as "mutual respect" during the breeding season
when ganders are high on hormones and doing their thing.
Some are perfectly fine until the breeding season hits and then
they are "hell on wheels".
I don't advocate "hitting" but sometimes dominating them and showing them who is boss is the only way to prevent them from becoming
spoiled brats that bite the crap out of you every time you enter the barnyard.
Oh wait, on second thought... I had a Maran rooster that I kicked with all my might
while he was repeatedly and viciously shredding my shins with his claws and spurs.
I still bear the scars.
He now lives in the freezer.

 

[team guava pastry]

My girlfriend use to walk out in the backyard with a broom all the time. The geese for some reason hate the broom and keep their distance.

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:
I never ever had a problem with my gander. He was always polite, never aggressive.
In fact his new owners marvel at his temperment.