New goose owner, have questions

[Kriskat77]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/herbs-from-garden-safe-for-ducks.660211/

Thanks!

 

[Kriskat77]

Ok, I need some serious advice. My goose is a little over 6 wks old and we’re buddies. She sleeps in the guest bedroom and we have slowly been building her pen. The pen is only for her to have safe outdoor time. However she completely freaked out today when I put her in there for the first time. How on earth am I going to get her to like the pen? I put her favorite food inside and sat about 5 feet away but she still threw an almighty fit. HELP!

 

[CindyinSD]

Young birds are much easier to spook than mature ones. I don't think you're gonna be able to put her outside alone and have her be happy, though. She needs a buddy and for now, you're it. Maybe you could find another gosling to keep her company? Either boy or girl will work fine. The sooner you do this, the better. There will be less disparity in size if you can provide her with a companion sooner rather than later.

 

[Miss Lydia]

So true geese are flock animals and feel safe in numbers. She’ll never feel comfortable and secure out there alone. Please consider at least one more so she has a buddy.

 

[Kriskat77]

So true geese are flock animals and feel safe in numbers. She’ll never feel comfortable and secure out there alone. Please consider at least one more so she has a buddy.

I’ll have to call the feed store and ask if they even have another goose. It was a one off that they had one in the first place. I might be able to call Austin animal adoption to see if they have a goose that’s been handed in and needs a home. That would be great. A win win! With all the craziness going on I think they have changed their adoption protocol but I can try. My goose might like a buddy. I hate to make this so long but I have to say that she’s incredibly smart and she has learned our routine very quickly. Everyone said she would cry at night being alone but around 9:30 she gets a warm bath and I put her to bed (in the guest room) and not a peep out of her until I get up in the morning to take her out. She’s so sweet and amazing! I was hoping I could train her to stay outside in her pen just for a few hours a day. I’ll keep trying to make her special spot feel safe and I’ll also look into another goose. Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[Ephyra]

I also had a very imprinted single gosling (she's 11 months now, still very imprinted lol). With ours, she was just too scared without us around and I couldn't bare to leave her like that.... so I didn't (my circumstances allowed me to stay home with her and I brought her everywhere else). That probably made things worse, I am sure I am to blame for that. But I do wish we had've just gotten her a gosling friend when she was little. We waited until she was 4 months then brought home a 2 week old gosling and she just had no interest in him, and still doesn't. She likes people, not geese. He helps her feel more secure because she isn't alone, but it would be nice if instead of just tolerating him, she would bond with him. Since he was little he always wanted to be near her, greets her enthusiastically, etc but she's pretty cold to him. She also doesn't seem to understand goose stuff and even if he is just gently nibbling her feathers, she runs for the hills. I don't think she could ever go out with a flock of normal geese because she would be the biggest target for bullying and just wouldn't be happy. I would do anything for her and I love her as my permanent housegoose but I just sure wish she liked our other goose!

That may not happen at all with yours but that's our story. She is sooooo adorable! And clearly so loved and cared for

 

[Miss Lydia]

Breeding season may seal the relationship give them time.

 

[CindyinSD]

I’ll have to call the feed store and ask if they even have another goose. It was a one off that they had one in the first place. I might be able to call Austin animal adoption to see if they have a goose that’s been handed in and needs a home. That would be great. A win win! With all the craziness going on I think they have changed their adoption protocol but I can try. My goose might like a buddy. I hate to make this so long but I have to say that she’s incredibly smart and she has learned our routine very quickly. Everyone said she would cry at night being alone but around 9:30 she gets a warm bath and I put her to bed (in the guest room) and not a peep out of her until I get up in the morning to take her out. She’s so sweet and amazing! I was hoping I could train her to stay outside in her pen just for a few hours a day. I’ll keep trying to make her special spot feel safe and I’ll also look into another goose. Thanks so much for your advice!

A goose would be better, but a duck might do in a pinch.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My gander was in love with a duck (Muscovy) for 5 yrs before he got a goose mate.

 

[Kriskat77]

I also had a very imprinted single gosling (she's 11 months now, still very imprinted lol). With ours, she was just too scared without us around and I couldn't bare to leave her like that.... so I didn't (my circumstances allowed me to stay home with her and I brought her everywhere else). That probably made things worse, I am sure I am to blame for that. But I do wish we had've just gotten her a gosling friend when she was little. We waited until she was 4 months then brought home a 2 week old gosling and she just had no interest in him, and still doesn't. She likes people, not geese. He helps her feel more secure because she isn't alone, but it would be nice if instead of just tolerating him, she would bond with him. Since he was little he always wanted to be near her, greets her enthusiastically, etc but she's pretty cold to him. She also doesn't seem to understand goose stuff and even if he is just gently nibbling her feathers, she runs for the hills. I don't think she could ever go out with a flock of normal geese because she would be the biggest target for bullying and just wouldn't be happy. I would do anything for her and I love her as my permanent housegoose but I just sure wish she liked our other goose!

That may not happen at all with yours but that's our story. She is sooooo adorable! And clearly so loved and cared for

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think we might be in the same boat. Today she at least eat and relaxed a bit in her coop but I had to stay close by. Little by little I hope she starts to feel safe in it. I was afraid to bring home another goose and have her not like it. Time will tell. Do you have any good advice on diaper pants? I ordered a pair and them seem to fit oddly. I’ve been making her some but I’d like to order really nice ones. Let me know. Thanks again!