Please help a newbie!

[jjj7jjj]

Ganders can remove feathers on the females, one of my buffs currently has a bald spot, weirdly she’s the one constantly propositioning Leo so she’s into it I guess? If it gets too bad, like if he’s actually injuring her, biting to the point of bleeding, or if he holds her head under too long you may have to seperate them, which is easier said than done because they’ll despair being apart.
This behavior will continue through breeding season.

She now has open sores. Is there an ointment I can use on her?
Thank you.

 

[jjj7jjj]

She might not be cooperating which can make him more aggressive. Give them a shallow pan just deep enough in water that he can have the moister he needs to put his little tool away and be able to dip his head to preform his mating ritual. and she wouldn't get in unless she is ready to lift her tail. Put him in Gander Jail for a little while give her some deep water for a good bath and then do the same for him. During breading if the water is too deep he will get extra aggressive because he is trying to hold her down and float at the same time. Just some thoughts.

We were told they wouldn't breed until they were two years old? Currently only 10 months old. Could you recommend an ointment for her sores?

 

[Percheron chick]

Is she laying? I find my yearling gooses are very poor layers and that their eggs are often infertile but they'll sure try.

 

[JRies]

dont give up be the top dog. A little time in gander jail will help. Teach you husband how to go pick up the Gander and also be the top dog. Your going through thous silly teen age years. Well almost. They have the tools but not the guidance. Think of this as middle school. "went though that one with human 2 boys" Life dose get better. But it takes some work. I agree with Goosebaby separate then but then unite. Note my Name "Drakezila" his real name is Moca is one of the most manageable drakes in my flock. But it took some time lots of help. He is now the granddaddy to my flock. You have hit a great milestone with your geese. What you do with it is up to you. Here are some suggestions. Pick him up walk around with him if he dosent like it hold him on his back till he calms down dont ever hold him by his leg's but you can hold on to the legs. If he dosent calm dowm put him in a quiet place "gander jail" dont leave him long just enough time he know what its for. Then repeat as needed get your husband to do the same thing and repeet as needed. Sometimes multiple times in sequence. Always use a command word that lets him know its going to happen before you take action and give him a min to thin about it. NO is a good one I use EXCUSE ME! Dont give up take control teenagers grow up to be great adults and great additions to our family's. Geese do in in 1/4 of the time of humans.

 

[JRies]

Im going to suggest since no one answered the mail question of what of the sores on her neck I use triple antibiotic or neosporin when I need to and ther is the chicken Blue kote that is a antibotic and hides the red. but try putting out a new post "my goose has sores what do I do"

 

[yesterDAYNE]

I generally use non-pain relief triple antibiotic if I'm going to wrap the wound, otherwise I'd probably use blue kote or maybe just apply some vetericyn spray (not sure how easy it is to get, I work at a vet office so I just get it there) daily until they heal.

 

[jjj7jjj]

Is she laying? I find my yearling gooses are very poor layers and that their eggs are often infertile but they'll sure try.

She has made a nest in their coop, but no eggs yet. Thanks for your help.

 

[jjj7jjj]

Thank you all for these great responses. Today we'll try to become top dog. =) Ryan, our gander is going to get a time out when needed.

 

[Iain Utah]

Usually, the sores self-resolve. If you apply topical ointment to sores, make sure you do not use anything with "pain relief" as that is toxic to geese. First year breeding can be brutal to watch, until the pair figures things out. But typically, while it looks awful, the girls are not unwilling participants.

Production breeds can hatch babies in their first year, while breeds like dewlap toulouse are not fertile until 2yo. But all breeds get frisky the first spring, even if they are only 6-8 months old. My hatchery african girls showed breeding behaviors at 4 months.

As for aggression towards humans, I find the best way to establish dominance with gander is to pick him up and carry him around like a baby.

Best of luck getting through your first breeding season!

 

[Goosebaby]

She now has open sores. Is there an ointment I can use on her?
Thank you.

If it’s just bald spots she won’t need anything, the feathers will regrow, I’ve put neosporin on wounds before and new skin on really bad ones.