What goose is this?

[schatze]

I have chickens and ducks, and everyone on my street knows this. I got a call today saying one of my ducks was in my neighbor's yard, which was odd because it was pretty far for my girls.

I got there, and it was a goose. My neighbor once called to tell me my chicken was there, and it was a redtailed hawk, so I wasn't surprised she was mistaken. The goose was obviously lost, wandering around, going into the street, and then it chirped a bit. I wasn't sure what to do, and then it followed me home.

The moment my delinquent silkies saw her/him, they attacked, so now the goose is in my bathtub. S/he let me pick her up without any sort of struggle. S/he's extremely calm, actually.

Can anyone tell me what kind of goose this is, about how old, and if male or female? Can s/he eat what ducks eat?

 

[GitaBooks]

That is not a domestic goose, at least, I really don't think so. It looks like it may be a young Egyptian Goose or some other exotic goose.

People do keep them, though I hear they don't tend to be too tame. It may be a lost pet. I'm glad you are helping it!

 

[Kevin565]

It also appears to be a young Egyptian Goose to me as well.
You'll need to be cautious because they can become extremely aggressive especially during breeding season.

 

[jtn42248]

It does look like an immature Egyptian goose or mix of one. If you plan on keeping it I would suggest that you do some research as they do have a reputation for aggression during mating season and they have some unique nesting requirements. They are not really common in the US (if that is where you are located) so it is probably an escape from someone. Check if anyone around you or at your local feed store knows of anyone that has Egyptians. They may be looking for this one.

 

[PoultryQueen101]

I also would suggest getting it pinioned if you are keeping it. If you dont, it will likely put a nice gash in your arm someday.
That is, if it is an egytian. I would also do what the others suggested.

 

[schatze]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, she is an Egyptian. Where I live in Texas there are hundreds of them, they're very invasive. I'm not sure how she wound up where I live considering the river is quite a walk and she would only fly about 15ft. She only did that twice in the time period I had her.

I took her to my vet, and he said she looked good and could be released in the park with the other Egyptians where she could find a mate.

There's a big builder here who wanted to hunt them. So, he had a flock imported to his property, and now they've evidently taken over every park in this area and neighboring towns. Sometimes people eat them; they're not missed.

 

[GitaBooks]

Thanks, everyone. Yes, she is an Egyptian. Where I live in Texas there are hundreds of them, they're very invasive. I'm not sure how she wound up where I live considering the river is quite a walk and she would only fly about 15ft. She only did that twice in the time period I had her.

I took her to my vet, and he said she looked good and could be released in the park with the other Egyptians where she could find a mate.

There's a big builder here who wanted to hunt them. So, he had a flock imported to his property, and now they've evidently taken over every park in this area and neighboring towns. Sometimes people eat them; they're not missed.

I didn't know that. That's interesting. How do they survive during the winter?

 

[schatze]

I didn't know that. That's interesting. How do they survive during the winter?

Our winters are pretty mild. We had a freeze last year that was gone by 10 that morning.

Here are some from the park.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry if you already said but are you in the USA? Egyptain are very expensive to buy from what I have heard to see all of these at a park makes me wonder if some got loose[flew off] and are reproducing in the wild now.


I've never seen any in the wild here in our part of NC

 

[schatze]

Sorry if you already said but are you in the USA? Egyptain are very expensive to buy from what I have heard to see all of these at a park makes me wonder if some got loose[flew off] and are reproducing in the wild now.


I've never seen any in the wild here in our part of NC

Yes, I live in Texas. Years ago the owner of a construction company here wanted to hunt them, so he imported a flock. He and his people didn't get them all, so now they've become incredibly invasive. They're seen as pests since they've caused many native species to be moved out of our general fauna. They've since spread to the waterways of several nearby towns.