WHY shouldn't geese eat out of your hand?

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
awww

where's that "blushing" smiley when you need it?

just passing on what I've learned the hard way and the education that other folks have graciously granted me, and helping to fill in the details of some of the other excellent posters here...
always more fun if we share.

you'll get it figured out, just a little faster if you can avoid some of the mistakes others of us have already made.

 

[goosemama]

I am new with geese but raised sheep for 15 years but no longer. I KNEW perfectly well back then from experience & reading that the lambs could be cuddled when babies but to lay off as they grew (particularly the rams). Only bottle fed babies really are friendly and bond with you - otherwise even ewe lambs are standoffish. But you court trouble when you have a lot of hand contact (petting on the head a real NO NO) with ram lambs. For some reason this past info just didn't transfer when cuddling those sweet fuzzy little goslings this Spring - I forgot they will grow up and get hormones one day just like the ram lambs. My two hand raised goslings have now been adopted into the main flock totaling 8 and both babies are being protected by the male Brown Chinese gander(who is actually their father) although they were hatched in our incubator. They come when I call and all 8 come together talking away but don't nip or act aggressive (yet?). When I take treats or greens down I don't hand feed but throw it on the ground so the chickens & turkeys all get a fair chance. But this thread has been very helpful to remember there is sometimes a fine line between over loving and teaching discipline that you are the Boss!

One final point was made that the Head Gander eats first? I've been remodeling a new shed for the chickens which has pellets & corn in the hoppers at all times. As the geese walk by and look in I call them in. They all headed for the corn pan and the daddy Brown Chinese Gander who seems to be the lead guy waited at the back of the pack "watching the other's backs" while they ate - then when they were done he ate. He is definitely #l protector and puts the different ones in order with a poke or pinch to keep them in line. Just a different observation at my end of my pack.

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
I think there is a difference when you've got a gander protecting goslings and when you've got a flock of all adult geese. in my all-adult group, the boss goose (don't yet know if it's goose or gander) eats first, nips the others so they back up if they're crowding. but I have seen ganders stand guard while goslings eat, and then quick nibble - watch - quick nibble - watch - once the babies are starting to lose interest.

 

[SouthernPride]

I have 2 females, both have imprinted with me, one more than then other since I got her at about 2 weeks old. I could not imagine not be able to hand feed them. I will sit in a chair out by the coop and they know it's treat time. I've tried all kinds of food, they seem to be a bit picky. Lately I tried green grapes. I bite off half and hold the other half will they squeeze the juice out and bite off tiny pieces. The one I hatched is the more dominate one and she always eats first. I did have a gander and he was showing signs of dominance with my husband and he was only about 5 months old at the time so I think I can see where it might get a little hazardess if the gander was trying to "claim" me as his own.

 

[pete55]

Well not quite the same but here's another example. We live near an estuary that is known as a major tourist attraction for its Swans. There's the Swans, Canada Geese, Eygtian etc and the tourists flock there year round. However due to persistant hand feeding the birds are becoming problematic. there have been many reports of bites and the swans just lie all over the road blocking traffic as they associate the cars with food.

Signs have been put up but the tourists continue the feeding then complain when they're bitten saying the birds shouldnt be there!!! They cant read the signs to feed them by the water and throw the food down

A real shame if they change it as its quite a sight to see

 

[goosemama]

Pete, what lovely photos of the Swans - thank you for those. This same problem is played all over the States and Canada with the Canadas staying often in the north all winter long instead of migrating south.. In Western NY we have a small harbor which is kept unfrozen by the warm water outtake of the power plant situated there. Its the winter home to thousands of Canadas and people stop at the adjoining park with buckets of corn in their car trunks. The geese have no fear at all and I've seen them waddle up to the parked car knowing a meal is forthcoming. The ground there gets too "slippery" from the goose droppings its no longer safe or pleasant to walk - but I'm sorry I still love to see them (although I don't feed them - I have enough of my own to feed).

Had a thrilling moment this Spring on one of our warm clear days I was standing in the barnyard and heard a soft muted honking - looked up thinking a flock of Canadas were going over high up in the sky and couldn't locate them??? After some frantic neck twists I saw them right over my head only about 30 feet up in the air and they were SWANS - I was so delighted. First time I have ever seen them fly over our property. They had black bills and feet so guess they were either Tundra or Trumpeter and they were headed north to the lake and Canada beyond I suppose. Pairs are popping up now in inlets and Bays along Lake Ontario to nest which is something new. Odd to see these gorgeous birds one day as we were traveling the highway past the huge, smelly steel plants in Burlington/Hamilton, Ontario to see a pair of swans gliding in a little marshy runoff pond beside the 4 lane highway.