Problematic aggressive Gander

[bigbillybagel]

So around March time we were given a goose (5 years old) and her two babies who were around 4-5 weeks at the time. We mixed them with our hens (carefully at the time, of course) and then when I had the time I moved them to their own patch, which they are enjoying immensely.

The problem is that Gustavo (the male obvs) is acting up. With me he is fine, in fact he scuttles away whenever I go close unless it's to give him some food and then he willingly eats from my hand which I do occasionally. Everyone else though, is fair game it appears. He has gone after my youngest (who is 9) a fair few times and it seems to be increasing. It doesn't stop there either, he has also gone after my wife and eldest son (who is as tall as me but he wasn't put off by this). He has given both my youngest son and wife bruises as he pinches quite hard.

My wife rang me today at work to tell me that he'd gone after them both again this afternoon when she let the geese out to roam around, and she's pretty adamant that Gustavo is going to end up on our plates for Christmas, which I'd like to avoid to be honest!

What advice do you have for me to stop this behaviour? I have put myself between Gustavo and what ever has been his target many times to deter him and it always works as when he sees me he scuttles off quickly, but of course it's not really the answer as I can't always be there!

Thanks

 

[HappyDuckie]

Whenever he charges towards you or anyone else, push on his chest and hold him back while firmly saying NO. Or, when you go outside bring a broom or stick and when he comes close, use the broom/stick to keep him away. If these things don't work, the dinner table will without a doubt

 

[bigbillybagel]

Whenever he charges towards you or anyone else, push on his chest and hold him back while firmly saying NO. Or, when you go outside bring a broom or stick and when he comes close, use the broom/stick to keep him away. If these things don't work, the dinner table will without a doubt

My youngest has a plastic katana sword that he has used to keep him away (or try to) but he is hugely insistent. Yet other times he'll move away from him. More often than not he won't though.

He has also gently pushed his head down to the ground too, but that doesn't deter him either.

As for my wife, she's made of stern stuff and has tried the firm NO, the push in the chest and the pointing/pushing the head down.

If he sees me around he tends not to chance his arm, but it is getting annoying tbh. I'm loathe to eat him, other than this issue he's a funny little chap.

 

[HappyDuckie]

I've seen this issue in a few other threads, I'll try to find the links so you can read others ideas. Personally, if I had this issue and it kept going on and wasn't changing, he'd be destined for the dinner table.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-getting-into-the-habit-of-biting-me.1424913/

 

[gimmie birdies]

With any bird if you show fear, they will bully you.

 

[Goosebaby]

You all have to be consistent, carry a broom handle or some other kind of staff, anything smaller just doesn’t have the same effect. Your 9 year old may just have to get used to carrying it around like Gandalf. For some reason kids are the nemesis of geese, I’ve wondered if it’s their size and that most kids move around a lot.

When he charges give a firm NO and pick him up and carry him around, pushing him away only encourages more aggression from my own expierience, it just proves in his mind that you’re rival ganders challenging him, picking him up breaks that chain of thought and teaches him his place in a way that shows him he’s smaller and weaker but that you’re also showing him mercy. It’s the only thing that’s worked with me.


The best way to pick up an attacking goose...
When he approaches quickly grab him by the head “to prevent him biting,” hook your other arm around his torso pinning his wings and lift, the faster the better. Then walk around with him a little, he’ll leave you alone for awhile.

Do this every time he attacks, think of it as training for him. If you’re in the northern hemisphere then we are on the verge of breeding season, his aggression is just beginning, he can’t really help it to some degree, but he will get more mellow towards late spring to summer when his horomones settle down so retraining him is crucial.

 

[bigbillybagel]

You all have to be consistent, carry a broom handle or some other kind of staff, anything smaller just doesn’t have the same effect. Your 9 year old may just have to get used to carrying it around like Gandalf. For some reason kids are the nemesis of geese, I’ve wondered if it’s their size and that most kids move around a lot.

When he charges give a firm NO and pick him up and carry him around, pushing him away only encourages more aggression from my own expierience, it just proves in his mind that you’re rival ganders challenging him, picking him up breaks that chain of thought and teaches him his place in a way that shows him he’s smaller and weaker but that you’re also showing him mercy. It’s the only thing that’s worked with me.


The best way to pick up an attacking goose...
When he approaches quickly grab him by the head “to prevent him biting,” hook your other arm around his torso pinning his wings and lift, the faster the better. Then walk around with him a little, he’ll leave you alone for awhile.

Do this every time he attacks, think of it as training for him. If you’re in the northern hemisphere then we are on the verge of breeding season, his aggression is just beginning, he can’t really help it to some degree, but he will get more mellow towards late spring to summer when his horomones settle down so retraining him is crucial.

It's more of an issue with my son and wife, I'll suggest to my wife to pick him up (she's done this before but just to give cuddles) but I'm not sure my lad will be up for picking him up!

I see the logic though and will definitely try this as the thought of having him for dinner doesn't sit well for me as I see all my animals more as pets than anything else

 

[Leader Bee]

If you're in the northern hemisphere then we are on the verge of breeding season, his aggression is just beginning, he can’t really help it to some degree, but he will get more mellow towards late spring to summer when his horomones settle down

Aww man, breeding season is going to last ages!

 

[bigbillybagel]

My youngest just tried the broom method. Told him just to hold it, not in an aggressive manner with the bristles facing the floor. Gustavo wasn't having any of it and scuttled away from him. I was near him, but stayed as far away as I felt necessary.

He needs to try it when I'm not around though tbh, but we've left the broom handy just in case.

 

[Goosebaby]

My youngest just tried the broom method. Told him just to hold it, not in an aggressive manner with the bristles facing the floor. Gustavo wasn't having any of it and scuttled away from him. I was near him, but stayed as far away as I felt necessary.

He needs to try it when I'm not around though tbh, but we've left the broom handy just in case.

The magic staff “broom” is too mighty to be challenged.