Picked on goose

[lottiegwen]

i
I have four French Toulouse Geese, two hens and a gander that are 2 yr old and a gander that is 8 months old. One of my hens has been sick one some kind of neurological disorder. After 3 weeks, a course of antibiotics and tx with prednisone, Bea is recovering. When I started letting her have time outside with her her family, I noticed that the young gander was extremely interested in her. I managed to keep them separate while she gained strength. Last night was the first night that Bea slept in the general population. When I went to let everyone out this morning, my poor girl looks like she's been raped all night. Large patch of feathers ripped off her neck. Her back has also had most of the feathers ripped out. What should I do? Can she ever live with her family again. Why is Henry the young gander acting like this. They all got along well before Bea got sick. If anyone has any ideas. Should I keep Henry in for a week so that he is the low man again. Bea will be in for at least a week.

 

[Miss Lydia]

i
I have four French Toulouse Geese, two hens and a gander that are 2 yr old and a gander that is 8 months old. One of my hens has been sick one some kind of neurological disorder. After 3 weeks, a course of antibiotics and TX with prednisone, Bea is recovering. When I started letting her have time outside with her her family, I noticed that the young gander was extremely interested in her. I managed to keep them separate while she gained strength. Last night was the first night that Bea slept in the general population. When I went to let everyone out this morning, my poor girl looks like she's been raped all night. Large patch of feathers ripped off her neck. Her back has also had most of the feathers ripped out. What should I do? Can she ever live with her family again. Why is Henry the young gander acting like this. They all got along well before Bea got sick. If anyone has any ideas. Should I keep Henry in for a week so that he is the low man again. Bea will be in for at least a week.

legmen you defiantly don't want to leave Henry with Bea I'd separate Henry out for a week like you said and see how the other 2 treat Bea, Poor girl being treated like that. How are the other 2 treating her? How long was Bea separated for the other 3? Once you separate Henry out from the other 2 adults make sure to put Bea back first and see how they react to her then after Bea is once again established to the 2 adults try Henry again with them all. Are you absolutely sure it was only Henry?

 

[lottiegwen]

Bea had spent time alone this past week with Max the other gander and her sister without injury. Unless the drakes are botching her, but can't imagine the ganders would allow that. Now I will worry about her getting cold, due to her naked places. I will try what we have said. In about a week I will put her out for a short time while bringing Henry in. When I feel she is strong enough, I will keep him in, hopefully if she can regain her rank, he will behave. If not, any one want baked gander for Xmas.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bea had spent time alone this past week with Max the other gander and her sister without injury. Unless the drakes are botching her, but can't imagine the ganders would allow that. Now I will worry about her getting cold, due to her naked places. I will try what we have said. In about a week I will put her out for a short time while bringing Henry in. When I feel she is strong enough, I will keep him in, hopefully if she can regain her rank, he will behave. If not, any one want baked gander for Xmas.

So you have drakes in the mix? drakes are really bad for ganging up on females. Do you have a game camera? you sure don't want them if it is the drakes getting hold of her again. If your worried about her getting cold if your handy with sewing you could make her something on the lines of a hen saver but larger for a goose or just keep her out of the weather till she grows her feathers back.

@lottiegwen something like this but of course in goose size. http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/sassy_sweet_notes/2009/03/pippys-new-polka-dot-vest.html

 

[lottiegwen]

Oh yes I have had drake trouble before. I took two drakes on a picnic to the woods last year, with very little guilt. They were not only raping the hens, they were raping their brother. Life would be great if you could tell what sex an egg is 2 wks or sooner before hatch. I am not helping any Pekins to reproduce anymore. Want only flyers. The Muscovies and mallards spend most of their time at our farm pond. They come in when it is very cold or when hungry. Thank you for your help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh yes I have had drake trouble before. I took two drakes on a picnic to the woods last year, with very little guilt. They were not only raping the hens, they were raping their brother. Life would be great if you could tell what sex an egg is 2 wks or sooner before hatch. I am not helping any Pekins to reproduce anymore. Want only flyers. The Muscovies and mallards spend most of their time at our farm pond. They come in when it is very cold or when hungry. Thank you for your help.

Boy ain't that the truth, I don't even let mine hatch anymore because It was so hard for me to find new homes for 2 of my drakes this year. I have 2 now and they can't even live together.