Spirit - the amazing grey dewlap toulouse gander!

[Triplell]

They are really fighting. If anything comes close to them then they bite, beat you with their wings, and chase you. They are doing it to the other geese and the ducks. SOmetimes even me. I had to sseperate my call ducks after the drake went flying into a wall from one of them. The only real solution is to totally sperate them from the others but then I have to try and keep the water from freezing. These two are usually my docile and calm ones. I guess hormones are kicking in big time. This morning they both had a African cross by both wings and were really bitting the heck out of it. I am so frustrated and sadened that they are doing this. I know that they can get very mean but in Dec and not in Feb, ot March? I think Mother-Nature has things really messed uo right now.

Marty I am so sorry for your loss, were the dogs yours or stray's? I would be totally devestated if that happened to me, as I'm sure you are. At least you were able to save two, but you too have a long hard road to go with them. Thank goodness they are slowly getting better. I pray that they coninue to heel and recover.

 

[Iain Utah]

That sounds like extreme behavior for this time of year for your area. I would definitely separate those two from the others. I would also carry a long stick/broom handle and not allow them to be aggressive with you. Stay safe and I hope their hormones settle down quickly!

 

[Triplell]

They were at it again tonite. I have seperated them but without water and feed tonite. I am gonna have to go to the store and get another heated dog dish or a heated pail. Other wise I will have to just give them some water three times a day. This totally sucks!!! They have cornered one goose continueously and it runs away in a panic now. This is so frustrating with these two.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They were at it again tonite. I have seperated them but without water and feed tonite. I am gonna have to go to the store and get another heated dog dish or a heated pail.

Other wise I will have to just give them some water three times a day. This totally sucks!!! They have cornered one goose continueously and it runs away in a panic now. This is so frustrating with these two.

Maybe a bit of time out will help. Boy I sure don't look forward to this, My gander goes after the drakes since i have no other gander for him to pick on.

 

[Iain Utah]

Good morning! I am super happy to report that Spirit is doing much better since he had the upper half of the rod and the vertical pin removed. Even hubby commented yesterday that he was looking really good moving around the pen. I know in my heart that Spirit is going to be 100% and will have a long, happy, normal goose life.

Triplell, hope your ganders settle down soon. I don't look forward to aggressive gander behavior either!

 

[Triplell]

Most of this has started since having them in the barn at night, my only other choice is to leave them outside where they all seem to get along.

 

[Iain Utah]

I understand. My africans free range 24/7 and get along great, but I bet if I tried to pen them up, all heck would break loose. I imagine you either have to pen them up separately or leave them outside. Makes no difference if they are safely locked up from predators if they ultimately wind up hurting or (god forbid) killing each other inside the safety of your barn.

 

[Triplell]

I do feel bad cause we are down to 0 degress at night and in the 20's during the day. I also will have to feed them inside only but they will have access to water all the time if left outside. I did put out some straw for them to lay on during the day but the ducks have found it first. They are within a fence so they can't venture to far from the barn. Plus the snow isn't to deep yet but I did shovel out a pathway for them.

 

[nonsuch]

Could you make a three sided shelter for the outside ganders? You could also buy a "calf shelter". We have them at all the farm supply stores in Wisconsin. They are make of hard plastic and do not have a bottom, but you could put them on pallets/plywood and put straw over that. I have started putting my Geese into their barn for the night and I have to catch each one to get them inside. Once they are inside, they seem to like it.

 

[1MrsMagoo]

We have returned from a very successful visit with the vet. Everything looks great on xray and we have begun removing hardware. For this trip, the vertical pin, as well as two of the horizontal pins were removed from the upper leg. My vet said that often patients will appear to have a set back for a few days as they adjust to the loss of support. However, he felt Spirit would show immediate improvement as the vertical pin had migrated upwards to the point that it was causing him discomfort when walking. I told my vet that I had let Spirit go in kiddy pool a few times and he said that was fine. The concern would be infection entering through pins, but he has healed extremely well. So long as I make sure pool is clean/fresh filled, he said ok to let him go into pool.

As soon as we got home, Spirit was immediately put outside with his buddies (thank goodness the weather is better today) and looks to be feeling good. Our next visit is in 2 weeks (Dec. 26th) where we expect to remove the rest of the hardware on his upper leg. Then, the final trip we will remove the rods/pins on the lower leg.