Update on the problem ganders at the lake--mean brown Chinese is gone!

[desertdarlene]

Thanks, I wonder what kind he is, though. That explains a little bit as to why he's so aggressive, which I've learned is not typical for that breed. Could be a hybrid. I know the others are embdens for sure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like your park and lake are a popular place for drop offs, Geese can be very mean but I hate to think of an animal being abused. It's too bad theres not a rescue that would take these geese so the public wouldn't have to deal with them, A Santuary [sp] would be the best then they could live out their lives with other geese but not be in harms way or hurt someone. I remember you said the public isn't allowed to feed the water fowl anymore, does the park feed them and what do they do when there too many water fowl? I woud love to have a place where I could have a Santuary for water fowl. By the way I love your pictures. The Muscovy Drake story was especially touching since I have 2 drakes.

 

[desertdarlene]

Thanks!

I don't know what the park is going to do about feeding the waterfowl. There are a couple of disabled ducks that can't feed themselves properly due to deformed bills.

Most of the other ducks/geese are great foragers and I think they'll be fine. There are still people feeding them now and then, but it's been cut way back. Most of them are too fat, anyway, and need to lose weight.

I am going to publish and article on the problem of feral geese in San Diego. Most of them are not managed or cared for at all by anyone. But, at one lake, there are people who do feed them healthy food and handle them, too. So, they act a lot different than the geese at this lake. I don't know what they're going to do with the waterfowl. I think if anyone wants them, they can take them, but many community members may get angry if anyone tries.

Tom, the muscovy, forages/hunts very well even though he can't see well. He was always picky about what he was fed, anyway, only eating birdseed. Sometimes, he ate bread, but not much. He's a little overweight, too. I don't think he's going to live a lot longer. I love when I hold out my hand, he nips at me thinking I have food. Then, when I try to pet him, he would hiss and move a few feet, turn around, and wag his tail like crazy. It's as if he's saying, "oh, sorry for biting and hissing at you, I mean you no harm and I'm really friendly, actually". He doesn't bite hard and I know it's because he can't see and is used to being hand-fed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I know what you mean about the Muscovy drakes . neither one of mine have ever offered to bite me, and they wag their tails like dogs it's so cute, My one was a fly in at the river down below us so hes only lived with us about a year, I feed him and 2 other mixes down at the river for about 6 months winning their trust. Thats Billy Bob he will eat out of my hand now but is still very skiddish, plus my alpha drake Ernie is always making him feel unwelcome. . Ernie came from the river too but he was a walk down, this lady on the other side had a hoard of ducks and chickens and all were killed by dogs or other predators before Ernie made it to the river. He had a female with him but we found her dead one day, didn't look like anything got her she was just dead. Well All my other ducks[the girls] are rescues from the freezer so I guess in a way I do run a rescue I just would like to do it on a larger scale. That would be great to write a story about the plight of waterfowl that are dumped into our lakes and rivers maybe you could get someone interested in helping place these troublesome geese, so they wouldn't have to be destroyed or hurt. Where we live people throw away alot of animals, Our animal shelter is working hard to try to stop it though. Alot of Mt. people were raised to think animals are not much else and have never known what it is like to have a wonderful relationship with one.Sorry for getting on the soap box.

 

[desertdarlene]

I wish someone would set up a permanent, long-term rescue for both ducks and geese, too. I think our humane societies will take in geese, but if they're not docile, they will euthanize them.

Today, the ganders were a lot better and I had no problem with them. They can be silly sometimes and I actually think they do like me even though they're always threatening to bite. They saw me this morning and chased all the ducks away before turning to come up to me. But, I turned and walked away. They seemed really upset that I was gone and got real quiet.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Alot of their attitude could be because maybe they get teased. That is a big nono for geese, and maybe that has happened to them. It's so nice that you care so much, they need a friend and that could be what they see in you, maybe they got their feelings hurt when you turned away lol. I've read Dave Holderreads book on geese and he says they are very sensitive, my gander acts like he's so tough but he's really a big baby. But he keep the everyone in line. Alot of the public just don't know how to take care of water fowl, I got Hoderreads book on geese before we got our goose egg, And I am still learning alot form this forum. Our Animal Shelter doesn't have the room for anything other than dogs and cats. There is a horse rescue close by but thats about it.

 

[redhen]

I feel bad for them. Poor things trying to survive.

I wonder.. they wont let you near the ducks?? I bet they are protecting them? OR maybe they are protecting you from them? Never know whats going on in a ganders head...
Mine does all those strange things to me too.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My gander thinks everything is a predator if it gets around his Alice, he is so protective,

 

[desertdarlene]

I'm not sure why they chased away the ducks, I think it was more that they wanted to be fed before them and they know I like to feed the ducks, sometimes. So, I think it was pure bossiness on their part.

There was one time where two other geese were being jerks to me and the brown Chinese gander and his friend were watching and began calling and making noise each time I walked past those other geese. They watched for a while and when I left, they went to those geese and chased them away from the walkway. It's possible he was protecting them by moving them away from where people walk, but it's hard to tell. I thought that was good that he was watching out for the other geese like a good gander is supposed to.

I've also seen where they watch people walk dogs past the other geese and will warn or chase those geese away from there, too.

I tell you, though, sometimes, it's hard for me to like some of them and I wish they would remove the more aggressive ones. But, then, they do something funny or cute and I forgive them.

BTW, Tom, the muscovy, is a fast learner. Now, he doesn't nip at my hands at all, only took a couple of days to get him out of that habit. I gave him some peas in a small container and he tried them, but decided that he didn't like their texture, so he didn't eat them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have to remember to get my ducks and goose some peas, it's like my gander Sammy and I we have a love hate relationship, he likes to hang around me when I'm outside and he talks to me real soft but it's almost like he can't help himself he'll eventually reach out and bite me. He seems to be trying real hard to be a good boy as of late, but I can't let my guard down. I can pet him as long as I hold onto his neck up close to his face, and then let go real quick, I've never had a goose before just this gander so don't know how different their temperments are. Is there alot of goslings born there at that lake? Or is mostly ganders that are dumped?