Toulouse Geese Thread

[Miss Lydia]

Something new happened this morning while feeding Ricky & Lucy and I was hoping you guys could shed some light for me. I go out every morning & evening to feed them their treat for the day. This morning I was doing as usual sitting down & tearing off a head of Romaine. We were having a nice conversation while they ate. Ricky my gander always nibbles sweetly on my hands, arms clothes, etc. then he jumps up on my head and shoulder & flaps his wings honking!!! Hops down, nibbles some more then does it again but this time skidding down my back side Lol I can't lie I was a bit startled. Was he attacking me or playing??? Maybe something totally different.....if you catch my drift

Either way I'm feeling a little abused HaHaHa!!

If my gander who is Embden did that I'd say all out attack, I have 2 Toulouse one I know is female the other only 4 months old and pretty sure she is too but My gander who is 7yrs old is really beginning to act up, I have to daily stop him from biting me,[he is in protective mode] I only feed them out of a pot with a handle he'll eat out of my hand but right now I don't want to give him the opportunity to bite me. As for letting him jump onto your head and shoulders I would stop that also, you are to be the dominant leader in their flock and you maybe giving the wrong signals by letting him do this. you don't say how old they are?

 

[epulsifer]

They're 5 months old Lydia. I was hoping it wasn't attack mode he was in. If so it was very gentle. I also don't want him to feel he's dominant over me. If he does it again how should I handle him? If I bat him off I don't want to hurt him, I'm afraid if I do that when he hits the ground he might injure himself. I enjoy sitting with them but I guess if he continues I'll have to stop. Poor Lucy just look at him just as startled as I was LOL

 

[epulsifer]

Oh and I've been told that Ricky is Toulouse & Lucy Pomeranian.

 

[jtn42248]

If you suddenly find yourself with an irresistible urge to re-do your bedding into the shape of a nest you might need to worry. But seriously, as Miss Lydia indicated, even at 5 months of age he may be testing his place in the flock. You have always been the alpha and he may be challenging your place. As much as we all love spending time with our geese we have to remember that they are not human and they are not dogs...they are geese (birds) that have a very clearly defined hierarchy within their flock. The male will always want to be at the top of the hierarchy and will challenge the existing alpha whenever he feels the opportunity is ripe for him to win and take over.

I have a chair under a really big Oak tree out in my field. I take my three Toulouse out several times a day to give them an hour or so each time of just free range grazing. I sit in the chair and watch and occasionally will get up and run a little ways out into the field and they will get all excited and fly to me. Then we walk back to my chair, I sit and the graze at my feet. It is all very peaceful and nice. However, the times that they, especially Sting my gander, start to bite at my foot or chew on the stick I carry for snakes and other critters, I push them away and say a firm NO!

I believe geese are intelligent enough to learn certain very basic commands like NO means to stop doing what you are doing. I have been doing this for a while and on those occasions that they take flight and head for the road I shout NO and they immediately come back to the ground, turn around and come running back to me.

So I would suggest that you continue your routine with your geese with one change. Begin to establish limits as to what they are allowed to do. Once they figure it out it will be better for them and for you.

 

[epulsifer]

That cracked me up!!! No urge for nest building here

Thank you so much for your view on the situation, I really appreciate it. I agree with everything! I'm Thinking me putting myself on the ground & down to his level gave him the perfect opportunity to challenge the hierarchy. They are much more intelligent than most people give them credit. I make a noise like the old school game shows when you get the answer wrong and they will stop in their tracks when doing something unacceptable so I'll be on my toes next time he decides to challenge. Now Im off to find a good goose chair to hangout in the yard with them

I feel much better about the situation now. Thanks again guys

 

[jtn42248]

Some behavior that I have not seen before. My three were in their pools splashing and bathing. Then all of a sudden they all jumped out and ran around in circles like they were playing tag with their wings out stretched. Were they just playing or is this some sort of ritualistic behavior that I have not seen before and what does it mean?

 

[livininbrazil]

Some behavior that I have not seen before. My three were in their pools splashing and bathing. Then all of a sudden they all jumped out and ran around in circles like they were playing tag with their wings out stretched. Were they just playing or is this some sort of ritualistic behavior that I have not seen before and what does it mean?

Yeah! Party!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Some behavior that I have not seen before. My three were in their pools splashing and bathing. Then all of a sudden they all jumped out and ran around in circles like they were playing tag with their wings out stretched. Were they just playing or is this some sort of ritualistic behavior that I have not seen before and what does it mean?

Party is right, mine were doing it too. all 4 got in the pool next I see the 2 young ones are swimming in circles with their wings open the 2 adults jumped out then the 2 young ones they ran around the pool and jumped right back in Missy even leaped into the air it was hysterical.

 

[jtn42248]

Yeah! Party!!!!

Party is right, mine were doing it too. all 4 got in the pool next I see the 2 young ones are swimming in circles with their wings open the 2 adults jumped out then the 2 young ones they ran around the pool and jumped right back in Missy even leaped into the air it was hysterical.

Well, I guess our invitations are in the mail. It was the funniest thing and I could tell they were really having fun. Must have been something in the alignment of the planets to trigger them all over the place.

 

[clmschke]

~Sigh~ Well, after weeks of discussions, arguments and such, Dave and I decided to divest ourselves of the Toulouse geese in the flock. Not because we don't like them, but we've got 26 geese and it's becoming unmanageable. Instead of consigning Buddy and Molly to freezer camp, we're working on getting them new homes. If you know of anyone in the area of WI, IL, IA, MN ...we're located in South Central WI, near the border. I had one person that I had hoped wanted them from Racine, but she's declined. Here's Buddy with the plain beak

And Molly with this year's hatch. She has a black tip to her beak. The kids are all grown, and doing well on their own. She's a good Mom...so if you know of anyone, please let me know. And yes, that's an African goose behind her. If anyone knows anywhere else I should offer up these two, please let me know of that as well. Thanks! Brenda