The African and Chinese goose thread!!

[NathanZee]

All the makings of an excellent gander! See how he interacts with the goslings and you will know. Mom will normally be very cautious even with Dad. When moving day comes, you want to separate the babies so they are not stepped on by the parents. I lure the adults away with a favorite treat, and block off the goslings. Then I move gander first, goose and then the babies I gather, move and release to run to Mom. I have a larger flock so usually there are more birds involved, but the trampling risk is there anytime you move broody geese and goslings. The babies need to be sure footed to be able to move if an adult may step towards them in a defensive state of mind. As always, I share this due to personal experiences. Your geese, if frightened or confused may trample a gosling unknowingly.

They hatched! Five of them, the other one didn't make it for some reason. Thank you so much for all of your help! James and Elizabeth are both being great parents, except that Elizabeth gets angry with the goslings when they leave the nest and tries to get them to return. Is that normal? James loves talking to them too! We keep them on the nest a couple of days as you said, so they can walk a little better. How soon can they go swimming in the pond? Wild geese usually go after a day or two don't they?

 

[Patriciaallison]

They hatched! Five of them, the other one didn't make it for some reason. Thank you so much for all of your help! James and Elizabeth are both being great parents, except that Elizabeth gets angry with the goslings when they leave the nest and tries to get them to return. Is that normal? James loves talking to them too! We keep them on the nest a couple of days as you said, so they can walk a little better. How soon can they go swimming in the pond? Wild geese usually go after a day or two don't they?

How wonderful! What kind are they? P

 

[Chena Farms]

Here are my bad mannered Africans with my super sweet American Buff

I should clarify....only the boy Africans (Uncle Waldo and Boris) are bad. Abby is super sweet and mellow.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: So precious! Congrats on the great hatch! Just a day or so longer when they are walking well. Is your pond safe from snapping turtles? If not I would wait a while for that. Gosling are a very popular predator meal.

Here are my bad mannered Africans with my super sweet American Buff

I should clarify....only the boy Africans (Uncle Waldo and Boris) are bad. Abby is super sweet and mellow.

Lovely geese, and welcome to BYC!

 

[Chena Farms]

I got my geese last spring. I have 2 African males, 1 African female and 1 American Buff female. I hand raised my geese and have never had a problem with them attacking me until recently. The two males are full on charging me (scary!)

I'm assuming this is happening because it is breeding season? Does anyone have any suggestions on stopping this?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

I got my geese last spring. I have 2 African males, 1 African female and 1 American Buff female. I hand raised my geese and have never had a problem with them attacking me until recently. The two males are full on charging me (scary!)

I'm assuming this is happening because it is breeding season? Does anyone have any suggestions on stopping this?

I am a small person right at 5 feet tall, maybe 100 pounds. That said, I also have 3 ganders. A very big Embden, and 2 chinese. All 3 boys have learned its not smart to cross me. Its best to use the natural language they understand, pinning the opposing "goose". It is not cruel, its teaching them in their own language whats not ok.

You have to remind yourself you are bigger than they are. When they charge, I grab the neck firmly with one hand just below the head, pulling him towards me, my other arm goes around those wings. Get those wings, they hurt! Down we go! I pin the gander down to the ground. I try to hold with my legs in case anyone else tries to get in on the fight. Once he stops struggling I release him, I do not let go of that neck until then. Hold out your arms, scolding him loudly and make him walk away. thats the "victory dance" once you have won the "gander fight" and exactly how they do it. Usually once is enough, sometimes you need a repeat, like my Big Boy Embden. He is a massive bird, very territorial and fiercely protective of his goose hens. I have been pinched a couple times pinning him, but he has to know its not ok to attack me. Once you establish your pecking order in the flock it should stop. Its really no different that teaching a puppy to not bite or scratch you.

Other people use large plastic garden rakes to scare them, but its just putting a band aid on the problem. Successfully keeping geese means being able to control gander behavior. It is intimidating to see that charge towards you! Hopefully other members can offer ideas as well.

 

[NathanZee]

How wonderful! What kind are they?
P

Hatchery quality Africans, much lighter than true Africans plus they don't have dewlaps. Here's their mother.

So precious! Congrats on the great hatch! Just a day or so longer when they are walking well. Is your pond safe from snapping turtles? If not I would wait a while for that. Gosling are a very popular predator meal.

Lovely geese, and welcome to BYC!

Thank you! They are all walking quite a bit today, except for the one that hatched this morning, its a little more wobbly.

The last one to hatch has two yellow stripes on its back that the others don't, will it look different as a adult, or will the differences disappear? Yep, it's safe. During the hot part of the summer it dries up so there aren't any fish or turtles.

 

[Patriciaallison]

Hatchery quality Africans, much lighter than true Africans plus they don't have dewlaps. Here's their mother. Thank you! They are all walking quite a bit today, except for the one that hatched this morning, its a little more wobbly. The last one to hatch has two yellow stripes on its back that the others don't, will it look different as a adult, or will the differences disappear? Yep, it's safe. During the hot part of the summer it dries up so there aren't any fish or turtles.

Why are hatchery birds diff?

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote:
@servpolice has lovely Africans and can better explain. Hatchery are less likely to meet SOP (Standard Of Perfection) for the breed, and are not as closely watched for meeting standards. Many are actually a chinese and african cross. Super African are closer to the real thing. Its all in what you want honestly and availability of a good breeder.

 

[Patriciaallison]

@servpolice
has lovely Africans and can better explain. Hatchery are
less likely to meet SOP (Standard Of Perfection) for the
breed, and are not as closely watched for meeting standards. Many are actually a chinese and african cross. Super African are closer to the real thing. Its all in what you want honestly and availability of a good breeder.

Ok I am looking for white Chinese and can't find a breeder. The best thing I have is a hatchery in the area that gets them on occasion. But I want nice looking quality birds I don't want a mutt. Although I love the birds I have! The ducks I got from the hatchery I believe one is a mix. I wanted blue swedes and got one with weird brown strips. It does not make him any less fun and lovely but if you buy something thinking it's one thing you want it to be that thing.
P