Sick goose

[Miss Lydia]

I am so sorry I can’t imagine how you feel because I haven’t lost either of my geese yet but I know it will be heart breaking. So sorry for you and your gander.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It may help your gander to not be so lonely if you can give him a mirror so he can see himself. Until you decide what your going to do next but geese really do grieve so you might want to consider getting him a friend sooner than later.

 

[hellfire]

Thanks guys. Yes they do grieve. We've had geese since before I was born on the farm as they do grieve. We ah ways had a flock but as they got older I took a few eggs from the last pair and hatched these myself to kee the bloodline going from my great grandfathers day bringing in new blood obviously but these two were brother and sister so was at some point going to get another girl. I will defiantly get another ASAP as even though in the massive poultry fiend he has ducks and chickens nothing comes close to goose love . Unless people actually bond with young geese they also don't understand what a loss it is which is why I know you guess truely appreciate how upsetting it is. He still sees me as a goose as hatched them both myself. You may remember me posting about him trying to mate with me. I've just been sat in the piggery with him as he finally came in tonight after watching me bury her under the apple trees so he knows and has had his evening corn treat which I'm thankful to say he's tucked into.

 

[Miss Lydia]

That is so sweet I am only 12 yrs into having geese my first hatched right here and I tell ya they really are part of the family. I hope you can keep the blood line going with your gander that is very special. What breed? It’s always a blessing to me to meet those who care about their geese more for their true beauty and the affection they have for each other than monetary reasons. Please keep us updated on how he is doing and when you get him a new mate.

 

[hellfire]

Geese are special and like dogs in a way. He's a embden x. The original flock were all true Embden but a few years back now we started looking after a friends goose (he only had one female as a pet poor lonely girl) when he went on holiday. We believe she was a buff Pom of sorts. As he went away more regularly she got to the point two years ago she refused to go home with him. Can't blame her. She stayed and as a older goose we were surprised she started laying so I saved the eggs to hatch from her and our last old boy. The flock by this point had been dying out as my family got older they thought it was extra hassle on the farm. I've since taken on more responsibility and the family business so I decided I didn't want the blood line that had been going nearly 100years to totally die out. Very unfortunately the male passed away and then a fox took her. There was a breach in the fence that happened when the winter winds took a tree down leaving enough room for mr fox. The field has fox skirt deep down and over hang AND electric and In all these years since we went to that effort no fox has got in. They used to wander the farm but with more doc attacks in day time locking up at night wasn't enough. I'm so so glad I took some eggs to save. I had a amazing 100% hatch rate and baby was the only girl. The other 3 boys went to new homes as we've had fighting issues in the past as Embden can be aggressive. I'm lucky I know where they are and in good homes.
The field is large with a river, pond, small orchard, piggery, duck, chickens and lots of grass. They all live happily together and the geese were brought on in my house then in one section of the piggery with gas brooder and large pen to get them used to living outside. When you hand rear them and they sit on your lap every day preening you or sleeping you become mum and very attached. So now I shall find some girls for him and the line will continue I hope. I'll let you know how his dateing profile on goosy love turns out.

 

[The goose girl]

So sorry for your loss. My geese are family members, too. I was devastated when I lost my Keld. I hope you can find a new love for your gander - or goslings he can take care of.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I look forward to hearing all about it thank you. My gander is Embden good thing I love that big goofy boy because he can sure try my patience during this time of year during breeding season. My female is Toulouse.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am so sorry for the loss of your girl -- both for your sake and your boy's. Both of you must be devastated. It's so hard when you don't know what to do or can't do anything. But it's clear you cared deeply about her and gave your best efforts. Again, I am so, so sorry.

I know you can't replace her in your heart, but would does it make sense to find a new girl for your gander? Will a gander accept another female right away, or do they grieve too deeply for a while? I teared up reading about how he tried to preen her; maybe he needs a chance to heal first.

My thoughts will be with you.

 

[Iain Utah]

My condolences to you and your gander for this horrible loss. I know exactly how it feels to be helpless and watch an otherwise perfectly healthy animal pass within a day or two, if not hours. My geese are also family members, with many raised by hand inside, so I understand how much it hurts.

Fortunately, since it is spring time, it should be fairly easy to find another female and it is impressive how quickly a gander can bond with a new girl after losing his mate. You both will find joy in seeing the new relationship bloom.

Best wishes for a better tomorrow.

 

[hellfire]

Thank you all. Made me cry reading people's posts and how others have that same bond. He's following me and the dog now and we've just been sat on the bench. Yes I have a picnic bench in my field! Why not? I've asked about and searching adds. Can only seem to find ganders or hatching eggs right now. I was going to hatch unrelated stock anyway to keep the line but he needs a new lady now. Found one who breeds but miles away! Is £50 the rate for a goose now? Im quite tempted to let him follow me out the field around the farm but not sure if it's a good idea as he's already attached to me but worried if I let him he may either not separate from me and be stressed or not take to another girl. Took a time to wean them off me to living in the field last year.