spring attitudes

[fowlmood]

Is it the goose or the gander who usually gets the sudden "bad atttitude" in the spring? Or is it both? My embdens are about 10 months old. I'm not sure yet of their sex but they have suddenly gotten goofy. They now chase each other round and round in the pool pulling on each others' wings. They seem to be acting on mating rituals and since they are young, I don't think they have really gotten it figured out as to whos supposed to be doing what.

Anyway, yesterday I had to give one of them an attitude adjustment. After I reclaimed my alpha position they seemed to be fine. I'm sure this will be an ongoing ordeal this time of year. I was just wondering, is it the male who gets aggressive to protect the female or is it the female who is hormonal and getting ready to protect eggs? I'm still trying to figure out which one is which. Since there is no nest and no eggs yet,I'm trying to guess based on behavior.

 

[noahsgeese]

My two Embden geese (1 male and 1 female ), when my goose had eggs then it was the gander that was being aggresive but I do
think that if you get by the gander and go for the goose then the goose will attack you.

Hope this helps!

Noahsgeese

 

[amity3520]

I don't have the most experience, but my male has been super aggressive this spring, obviously so. He's usually a bit testy, but he goes right after me now, the only one he doesn't bother is my father who is the one caring for them mostly. The goose is pretty sweet, even with me, but she goes after the dog regardless. They haven't seemed protective over the nest too badly, and have let us take eggs, but I know that will change if our goose gets broody... but I'd definitely say the ones with the attitudes are males, from my limited goose experience!

 

[redhen]

my male has been a brat lately.. he even attacked a hen today...

 

[fowlmood]

Thanks everybody. I thought it was the male, but that one seems like the smaller of the two. Although I admit, I do get them mixed up a lot. It's kinda funny to watch them now. I'm sure when they get older they'll have this mating thing figured out but they don't seem to know who's supposed do be doing what right now. Maybe that's why he's so cranky...... Are there any submissive positions to put a goose in when they come after you? I held on to his bill and while he was wing slapping me I marched him right backwards out of the barn until he figured out I wasn't going to let go of him. Finally he did settle down and I let him go. I did NOT turn my back on him for quite awhile though.

 

[Cottage Rose]

When my ganders get too aggressive with me during the breeding season
I grab them and either hug them while calling them insulting names...
like "you wuss" or "you don't scare me you bag of wind"...
or pin them on the ground and hold them there for awhile.
They don't like that and it usually puts them in there place for awhile.
Repeat as needed.
Watch out for those flapping wings.
Those can do some real damage if you get hit in the eye.
Just grabbing the beak and allowing them to beat you with their wings
is not a good idea. You are still allowing them to show dominance.
Display complete control over them.
Once they know you mean business,
if they try acting uppity with you just walk confidently and directly
toward them and watch them turn and run off like a little girl.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

When my ganders come after me, I grab the beak first, then I reach underneath with my other hand/arm and hoist them up in the air, supporting their legs. I then fold their wings inward and pull them close to my side and hold them there, just like I do my roosters. After a moment or two I can usually let go of the beak.

They do NOT like this! But I tell them that I am the boss and I am not going to tolerate their nonsense.

My husband, of course, thinks I'm nuts. He rolls his eyes at me and chuckles. None of them attack him!

I walk around with them for a few minutes until I can feel their body relax. Then I put them down and they run like heck in the other direction. It's many weeks before one of them come after me again! LOL

Laurie

 

[rainplace]

Rommy has recently decided that I am not his friend anymore. I get a lot of hisses from him. It's compounded by the fact that his sweetie, Ranaya, loves to follow me around and be in my business. Rommy hates it! So far all I've had to do is spread out my "wings," puff myself up, walk slowly towards him, and ask him what the heck he thinks he doing. So far he backs off.

Mr. Mini, now known as Mouse, has been quite randy of late but hasn't shown anything other than curiosity towards me. His female on the other hand cannot stand me near him. She also gets upset when Rommy and Mouse get loving with each other in the pond.

 

[Cottage Rose]

How you handle it depends on how aggressive a gander is.
Some will just hiss and back off if you simply walk toward therm
but some will full out attack you.

 

[rainplace]

Cottage Rose, do you know if it has anything to do with how well they know you... or how friendly they are out of breeding season? Or is it more hit or miss?