Will a tall female goose bond with a short male?

[Jessi8]

Lydia, until a year ago, when I lost the first goose to cancer, I had two ganders and three girls. The dynamics about who was "head gander" was squabbled over most years in the spring -- sometimes to the extent of bloody fights. So I learned to separate the two sets of geese once the hormones started. They were only divided by a short fence -- enough to maintain the companionship, but to prevent any fighting. Then in the fall, I would always put all five back together again. Seemed to work out great for everybody. No more squabbling or bad feelings.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Lydia, until a year ago, when I lost the first goose to cancer, I had two ganders and three girls. The dynamics about who was "head gander" was squabbled over most years in the spring -- sometimes to the extent of bloody fights. So I learned to separate the two sets of geese once the hormones started. They were only divided by a short fence -- enough to maintain the companionship, but to prevent any fighting. Then in the fall, I would always put all five back together again. Seemed to work out great for everybody. No more squabbling or bad feelings.

What breed are your geese? and is cancer pretty prevalent in older geese?

 

[Jessi8]

The geese are all mixed-breed. I don't know how common cancer is.

 

[the poppster]

Thanks for your thoughts, Lydia. I'm going back and forth about this. I found out this morning that the girl I was considering is actually bonded already to a male (part of a foursome -- three girls and a gander). I don't think the farmer's too likely to sell her -- she's way overpriced, so now I'm guessing it would be better for her to stay where she is. I'd hate to break up a family. But if I find one lone female goose in need of a home, and if my geese are continuing to be sad for much longer, I would think it might be a good idea to get another goose for them. How long are they likely to grieve like this, I wonder? is it a stage, and then they'll be happy again, or will they never recover their joy without another female being added to fill the hole? I wish I could get into their heads and know what's the right thing to do. 

Jessi

I can not in any way claim to be an expert on geese...but I agree 100 percent with getting a young female for your widowed gander...do just what what Miss Lydia said...and keep them apart with a fence for a while so they can get acquainted with each other...I would even go so far as to separate the widower from the others for the time...so it's just him and her...the size doesn't matter...taller or shorter...bigger or smaller...gray,brown or white....I don't think they really care...

 

[the poppster]

Thanks again, Lydia, SO much. Very good advice. I was thinking perhaps to wait until spring. I'm concerned that two paired geese may not want Preston around once the hormones kick in again with the new season. If that happens, he'd be very lonely and left out. I've heard, though, that breeding season is not a good time to introduce a new goose to a flock. What do you think?

Jessi

I would do it as soon as possible..to avoid the hormone problem...if all works out with a new girl, you won't have the stress of a gander with flowing hormones and no goose to direct them at.

 

[the poppster]

I bought a goose to protect my chickens and ducks...never figured out if it was a boy or a girl...but the only thing he couldn't protect them from was a Black Bear...it pushed a 4 by 5 ft hole thru the wire fence and went on a rampage....the goose may have tried....and lost....I never saw him again....God love him...and bless Old Gooser Honkkala.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I bought a goose to protect my chickens and ducks...never figured out if it was a boy or a girl...but the only thing he couldn't protect them from was a Black Bear...it pushed a 4 by 5 ft hole thru the wire fence and went on a rampage....the goose may have tried....and lost....I never saw him again....God love him...and bless Old Gooser Honkkala.

Very sorry for your loss. Geese have no way of protecting themselves let alone any thing else in their charge.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The geese are all mixed-breed. I don't know how common cancer is.

Until I read about yours I hadn't heard of cancer in geese but I guess that is always a possibility just like in any animal that reaches old age or middle age.

 

[Jessi8]

Poppster, Miss Lydia's right. Geese should NEVER be bought to "protect" another animal. You will just get them killed. It's terribly unfair to them and is little better than animal abuse, in my opinion. They are one of the smartest, loyalest animals you will find, and they don't deserve to be exploited. It's a little late to be sorry.

 

[mominoz]

You can add a goose at any time. Having sold some of mine, one may get upset, so I got him a new wife and put her next door for a couple days , then turned them out and they were good to go. I have to separate some of my older geese in breeding season from the younger gandars to prevent fighting, but after breeding season (late spring) , everyone gets back together, although, the older family unit keeps somewhat apart... (they had goslings this year). But they and the Africans who are in different pastures ,"meet a the fence" at least once a day to gossip... One goose may think he is a Saxony duck though as he was brooded with them as a "late egg", and seeks them out often...