Toys and distractions for geese?

[Mojo Chick'n]

Ok, I have three geese who think I am mama (they are about 4 months old) and they follow me everywhere and want to touch whatever I touch - usually with much nibbling and pinching with their bills

It's not being mean and I know they just want to check everything out, but I need safe things for them to chew on (instead of my flesh, shirt, pants, shoes, chair, toes, fingers, lighter, insert anything near or on or under me....)

I did discover this morning that they can be distracted with fresh green beans off the vine. Tasty, nutritious, and it doesn't yelp in surprize when they nibble it too hard.

Yesterday Fred, my gander, snatched a few feathers off one of the cockerels tails as he passed by - the cockerel squawked, and Fred honked and ran (they scared each other - it was rather funny, actually, although the cockerel didn't think so).

They act like bored toddlers, so I figured maybe they need some toys or distractions to keep them from becoming big brats.

any good ideas out there?

meri

 

[Whispering Winds]

I know it has to be frustrating, but this is just the funniest thing to visualize. Do you think little medium size balls might help? I can't think what ducks would like to play with . . .hope someone else has had this issue and can give you some good ideas!!!

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
I had thought about rubber balls or dog toys - I figure it would be good if it were something with different textures, and different sizes, etc... I know they like to "play with" the lawn chairs - well, anything, actually

they seem to explore everything with their mouth, so it will have to be something safe to chew on or something that can be considered food

Maybe I could float some rubber toys in the pool for them to... hmm... maybe not

they may try to dunk the ducks next time they happen to find them in the pool. nevermind that one

I had considered hanging some stuff from a pole or a sheperds crook post - maybe stuff they can smack and pull on without hurting themselves... not sure how to attach them, though.

This morning, Fred stripped off a (very thin) piece of wood from a pallet and he and Lucy were playing tug of war with it.

btw - my third goose is named Ethel (we don't have a Ricky

but Lucy sure does have some 'splainin' to do.)

meri

 

[waibel zoo]

You could put a tennis ball on a spring (picture a cat toy) and attach the spring to a wooden base, or part of a deck, whatever. I would think non stuffed dog toys would be good. Go to a thrift store and get some plastic baby or toddler toys. You will have to "play" with them first. I would think rattles and sqeakers would be fun for them.

 

[Whispering Winds]

Could you tie sticks (short, sturdy with blunted ends) to a cord and hang them from a tree . . .to bat around . . .if they like lawn chairs so much maybe the webbing loose would make them happy to drag around. I did not realize that ducks played like that . . .it sounds like you have a daycare with toddlers!!!! I love it!!!! REALLY makes me want ducks!! You need to do a video for all of us and post it on You Tube!!!

 

[Cottage Rose]

Geese are grazers/nibblers.
They need grass to graze on.
If you have them penned up
buy them leafy baled hay and offer
them some daily to pick at.
Anything like melon rinds or corn cobs work good too. Give them any extra garden produce you have.
Also old logs or branches are great to chew on.
Make sure the variety isn't toxic or too sappy
such as pine.
They won't be as nibblely when they get older but that tendency never goes away.
I doubt they would play with balls and such.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Mine were very nibbly the first few weeks. Now that they are free ranging during the day, they aren't so nibbly.

Things that float in their water can be fun. Mine had a blast with blueberries. When they were younger, I used to give them timothy hay. Not sure how much they ate and how much they just shredded, but it entertained them.

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

Quote:
They are free range - which is part of the problem

(they only go into the pen at night) they come right up on my porch. (easier getting up than down for them).

I have given them watermelon, haven't tried corn cobs.

Maybe I just need a few dangly toys (like those dog ropes) to hang off my belt loops, so when they go after my shirt or pantleg I can offer them those to play with.

 

[rainplace]

I had read somewhere not that long ago on this forum that geese parents dicipline their goslings. So when they would get my toes (ouch!) I'd do a no no no no no in that 5 talk thing they do, and flap my arms. I had to "nip" my male at the same time to get him to stop.

Corncobs and uncut lettuce hearts keep them busy for quite a while too. The two of them still follow me everywhere, they just don't "nibble" on me anymore.

 

[Cottage Rose]

The excessive nibbling is a baby thing...just like kids and puppies they want to mouth everything.
I get mobbed by my goslings if I set on the ground or in a chair. They group nibble me and when I've had enough I just shove them away and they move off.
If that don't work a full fledged hug might ward them off.
I put up 2 foot garden fencing to keep them away from my house.