The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[mothergoose08]

I am kind of scared to be around my gander, and I really hate that. I want to be more comfortable and socialize with him. He won't let go when he bites, and honks non-stop. He also is scared of my chickens, but they are very small compared to him. They attack the girl goose, and I don't know why. But the gander doesn't fight. He runs away. And he runs away from me, but when I walk away, he follows distantly. I have a lot of problems with them, and I don't know what to do.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am kind of scared to be around my gander, and I really hate that. I want to be more comfortable and socialize with him. He won't let go when he bites, and honks non-stop. He also is scared of my chickens, but they are very small compared to him. They attack the girl goose, and I don't know why. But the gander doesn't fight. He runs away. And he runs away from me, but when I walk away, he follows distantly. I have a lot of problems with them, and I don't know what to do.

You need to read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/561849/geese-training we can not let our ganders think we are afraid of them this thread will help you understand how to train him to respect you. Never let him bite you, carry a long pole mop handle will work broom too keep him away from you with it. You can enjoy them you just have to know how. The chickens attack the female goose? my geese are the terrors of the yard and won't tolerate the chickens or ducks getting close.
How old are you geese and how long have you had them?
Welcome to BYC

 

[mothergoose08]

My chickens think they are bigger than the geese, and they aren't scared of hardly anything. That is why they attack the girl. Maybe it's a territory issue, even though they are kept apart. They live in neighboring enclosures. My geese are almost 9 months old and I have had them since they were a day old.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My chickens think they are bigger than the geese, and they aren't scared of hardly anything. That is why they attack the girl. Maybe it's a territory issue, even though they are kept apart. They live in neighboring enclosures. My geese are almost 9 months old and I have had them since they were a day old.

What your seeing from your gander is breeding behavior and it is very typical, and normal so don't feel your alone in this we're all seeing it but most of us have learned how to deal with it. My gander isn't even allowed to bite my boot because it will escalate into biting my leg or what ever he can bite, now my young gander is trying it out he is 8 months old. so I am having to pin both to the ground holding the neck down too because if you don't they can still bite. I pin just like another gander would do I lay them on their bellies and put my knee down on them hand on neck I am not holding them hard enough to hurt them but just letting them know I am bigger than they are. When I release them [this I am doing at separate times] they are pointing away from me so they can make a quick get away lol sometime my older gander will turn and try again and I just pin him again usually after 2X he just takes off and is a pretty good boy the rest of the day, A broom will help keep him from getting to close if he even starts towards you put the broom between the 2 of ya. you want him to keep a respectful distance right now. once mating season is over they are back to being pretty mellow unless goslings are around. Please read the link, we're not advocating abuse here just wanting others to know there is a way to train your geese to have respect for their care takers with out the caretakers being hurt in the process. Yes I know those bills hurt I have been bit many times in the almost 8yrs I've had geese.
As far as the chickens go how about fencing or netting over either their pen or the gooses to keep them from attacking the goose.

 

[mothergoose08]

Will exercise help my gander to calm down? There is a large field next to my house that I can walk him in. He has enough space to walk outside, but he can't be free range, as I also live close to a road and neighborhood. I have tried to walk him before, and I think it might help.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Will exercise help my gander to calm down? There is a large field next to my house that I can walk him in. He has enough space to walk outside, but he can't be free range, as I also live close to a road and neighborhood. I have tried to walk him before, and I think it might help.

Exercise is great for them but as for getting him to stop any aggression I don't think it will work. It is just in their nature to be protective this time of year and the only way to curb that is for you to train him. Those hormones are surging right now and at the age of the young ones it's pretty high. If you can keep him safe though by all means get him out and get some exercise. good for females too. we live in the mountains of NC and mine get alot of exercise walking up an down the hill in our back property.

 

[mothergoose08]

We are thinking of moving them to my uncle's barn, which is next to my house. I think that would be good for him. My sister tried pinning his head down, and then he seemed to back off a bit.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

We are thinking of moving them to my uncle's barn, which is next to my house. I think that would be good for him. My sister tried pinning his head down, and then he seemed to back off a bit.

Exactly. He realized your sister is "dominant goose" and in control of him. Keeping geese means you have to be the keeper, and teach them you are the boss, you are Mom or Dad goose!
My large breeds I will pin with my body if needed, I am less than 5 feet and under 100lbs. My Embden is a large gander to me, but he is not going to be my boss. I have been pinched a few times and he is my most aggressive boy. All of my geese know Mom means business. If one tries to get me, I grab the neck, carefully but firm just below the head. My other arrn gets both wings, flogging from those wings hurts more that biting! Pull him tight against me or sit on him! Then we sit there until MR mean bird stops struggling. I am now the alpha, and he knows not to challenge me again. Sometimes its 15 minutes! But this is what has worked on all my ganders, and I have not had to give any up I wanted to keep.
Geese are like a dog or better, and are an amazing friend. My chinese fella Gee is 3 now, and walks with me all day when i do my chores. He bows and weweees at me, and sure tears into any aggressive young roosters that may go after mom too. My family, grandmothers always kept geese, and am proud to carry the tradition and teach my daughters too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We are thinking of moving them to my uncle's barn, which is next to my house. I think that would be good for him. My sister tried pinning his head down, and then he seemed to back off a bit.

I hope if you move them to the barn you can give them outside time because being locked in a barn may give exercise but they need fresh air and sunshine too. and grazing time when there is grass. remember when pinning just like jchny said if you don't get those wings pinned to they can really flogged you good so it's important the whole body is pinned not just the head. read how jchny2000 says she does it. Very good advise.

 

[Stormy Cashmere]

Jchny2000 I am mothergoose08 sister,I'm almost 6ft and 150lb so I don't have a lot of trouble pinning him down,do you think picking him up and holding him until he calms down would help?