Questions about a pair of male geese…

[SilverBirds]

They odd thing about their flying is, when I’m out to feed the hens and sheep, they see me/hear me and if they’re a distance from my barn and pasture, they’ll come zooming full speed and land where I place their daily feed ration. If I delay in feeding them they knock on the man door to the barn until I come out with their feed. They really are my friends and I’d keep them penned if it didn’t damage them.
Again, any thoughts on adding a pair of ladies? I’m thinking that might be an option which may serve them to be less inclined to wander?

@Miss Lydia, do you have any thoughts or know anyone else that might? Geese are not my forte.

 

[Parkerchandler]

I fear getting females will do more harm than good. Geese are already aggressive animals, and when they are protecting mates and young, they bring it to a whole new level. You'd also need to get at least 4 females, though more may be needed depending on how the ganders treat the ladies. My other worry is that the females will be aggressive wanderers too, and now you have a little gang walking into the road and harassing people. My opinion? The boys are just fine without the girl, but you may feel differently.

I guess I’m just trying to seek alternatives. Perhaps I and they would be better served by moving them but I’d miss them. And I’d really worry about them. I’d almost bet they’d end up flying back here even if they were re-homed. I wonder?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I keep my geese and ducks and chickens fenced on half acre. we have a mountain river down below us that would be awfully tempting if they were not fenced. We also have many predators so fencing is the only way we can protect ours. Besides having them safely locked up at night. I still have the mate to my gander who died and she has bonded with the ducks I won't get another goose since she is going on 11 yrs now. But I don't think bringing in females will do much to keep the boys home unless the females go broody then the gander will become Mr bodyguard. Plus if the boys get along great getting females will most likely cause the ganders to fight each other.
I vote for building a large pen and getting them used to staying in it plus getting used to your schedule of letting them out to forage while you supervise. Once you get them into a routine they will be fine. Feed them only in their pen also give treats only in the pen that way you get them used to going in to eat and get specials and it will make it easier for you to get them back once you are finished supervising their time out. I put treats like dry dog food and dried mealworms in a coffee can with a lid and when I want mine to come down from the top part of their property I start shaking the can and whistling and here they all come running. They are easy to train it just takes time.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC Best of luck with the geese

 

[Tookie]

Hi and welcome to BYC!

 

[Isadora]

Hello! I would not add any females at this point. Likely to compound the problem. Seems to me like you should make it official and fence them in.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. To me it appears that the only solutions are fencing, penning, rehoming. Adding females might result in behavorial changes and would only result in more geese crossing the road.

 

[Parkerchandler]

I keep my geese and ducks and chickens fenced on half acre. we have a mountain river down below us that would be awfully tempting if they were not fenced. We also have many predators so fencing is the only way we can protect ours. Besides having them safely locked up at night. I still have the mate to my gander who died and she has bonded with the ducks I won't get another goose since she is going on 11 yrs now. But I don't think bringing in females will do much to keep the boys home unless the females go broody then the gander will become Mr bodyguard. Plus if the boys get along great getting females will most likely cause the ganders to fight each other.
I vote for building a large pen and getting them used to staying in it plus getting used to your schedule of letting them out to forage while you supervise. Once you get them into a routine they will be fine. Feed them only in their pen also give treats only in the pen that way you get them used to going in to eat and get specials and it will make it easier for you to get them back once you are finished supervising their time out. I put treats like dry dog food and dried mealworms in a coffee can with a lid and when I want mine to come down from the top part of their property I start shaking the can and whistling and here they all come running. They are easy to train it just takes time.

I’m so thankful for all the help. I may try the fence and just call it a shotgun wedding. The father tells the boy(s) yer gettin married and yer wandering days are over.
I hope it works…

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. We'd love to see pictures of your geese, hens, and sheep.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Welcome to the coop! I use the Forums and Articles tabs at the top of the page to do research. You can get lost for hours. It's nice to know you are minutes away from getting help with questions and emergencies!