Newbie here (silkies, isa browns, guinea fowl, muscovys, geese)

[Grammy60]

Hello Grace and welcome to BYC We are so happy you have joined our community.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Ducks will top drakes, but I don't know whether or not geese will do so to ganders.

 

[farmergrace]

Hi Grace. Welcome to BYC! You really jumped in to poultry keeping.
I'm sure you have checked your rooster over very well for lice? Some roosters are just mild mannered and the hens love to "groom" them. How bad is the feather loss? Is he secluded in an area where he can see the hens? Does he look to be younger than the hens?
I don't have geese but sometimes dominate roosters will mount submissive ones. The submissive rooster only breeds when the dominate one isn't looking. It is all about the pecking order.
Best of luck with your new flock!

Thanks for the interest and feedback janiedoe!

When the birds came to us they all had lice but we have been treating them with diatomaceous earth and a spray. The rooster, Rusty, was already missing a lot of feathers around his neck and from his tail when we got him. It looks like the females enjoy eating the shaft or quill of the feather, making it impossible for him to regrow feathers when around them, and when they do this it leaves him very bloody.

We currently have him separated from most of the hens except one, Blondie. She doesn't pick at Rusty and also gets bullied by the other hens. We believe she might not be an Isa Brown but rather an Orpington that got mixed in somehow.

He looks like a very old rooster, very worn in the face and slow. Doesn't respond to our young SIlkie rooster who crows non-stop throughout the day and is much quieter in general. (Just for clarification, our Silkie's, Isa's and Rusty+Blondie are all kept in separate areas - I've included a drawing for better explanation).

In regards to the geese! After yesterday's shenanigans, our small goose, Goldie, chased me away from the females when giving them their dinner last night! I'll see what happens tonight but if I had to guess I have a feisty young male in the flock

 

[farmergrace]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Ducks will top drakes, but I don't know whether or not geese will do so to ganders.

Thanks sourland, that is interesting about the drakes.

After yesterday's incident, our small goose, Goldie, chased me away from the females when giving them their dinner. Head was low to the ground, wings fanned out and lots of hissing. Bruce hasn't even done that to me before.

If I had to guess I have a feisty young male in the flock. Will have to see what happens in the next few days.

 

[janiedoe]

@farmergrace do away with the diatomaceous earth. It can cause respiratory problems and it will not kill lice or mites. If your rooster isn't crowing, no matter how old he is, he is weak. Probably from blood loss from lice or mites.
I'd buy some Nutri-Drench for him and treat him with permethrin powder or spray. How do his legs look? If the scales are lifting, he may have scaley leg mites too.
You may want to make a post in the emergency section. Post pictures along with a description of his problem including that he isn't crowing.
I'm wishing you and him the best!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! We're glad you joined us!