Worried and feeling sad!

[Mathews2015]

I have a year old goose who lost her mate about a week ago, I know she is in mourning but I am worried about her. Since the first day, she has gotten a little better, at first she wouldn't even raise her head, now she raises her head sometimes, will honk very little when she was very vocal, is drinking some but is not eating. She is in the coop with chickens, ducks and guineas but stays to herself. I can get some babies, but will I don't think I can put them in the coop with her until they are bigger (wouldn't want the other birds to hurt them) will she come out of this?

 

[cottontail farm]

Poor thing. I haven't been in this situation fortunately so I can't say how long the mourning will last. Where are you located? Usually a Craigslist search will turn up a goose within driving distance.

 

[MROO]

I have a year old goose who lost her mate about a week ago, I know she is in mourning but I am worried about her. Since the first day, she has gotten a little better, at first she wouldn't even raise her head, now she raises her head sometimes, will honk very little when she was very vocal, is drinking some but is not eating. She is in the coop with chickens, ducks and guineas but stays to herself. I can get some babies, but will I don't think I can put them in the coop with her until they are bigger (wouldn't want the other birds to hurt them) will she come out of this?

Can you look around for a gander? Maybe someone has an extra fellow who might be looking for a lonely single lady.

 

[Mathews2015]

I am going to go buy a couple of babies and see how that does, she is doing better, but my male ducks won't leave her alone, I think they are trying to mate with her and they keep biting her neck and chasing her....any suggestions?

 

[Iain Utah]

I had a very confused drake once that wanted to chase down and rape my geese. Drove me insane! I eventually had to rehome the drake.

Usually a dominant gander will take care of most drakes. Otherwise, once your goose has babies to raise, she will become very protective and ideally handle the drakes herself.

Personally, I would give the drakes a "time-out" to give your goose a rest.

 

[Mathews2015]

I shut them apart for awhile, put the drakes in the coop so she could eat and do her thing, then when she sat down to nap, I switched and put her inside and the drakes outside

 

[Miss Lydia]

If you get goslings you’ll have to keep her and the goslings separated from your drakes. Even a very protective mama goose on her own my not be able to keep the babies safe and drakes can be nasty even kill. Plus once your female meets the goslings your going to want them to bond. It might be instantly or it may take awhile just depends on your female.

 

[MROO]

If you get goslings you’ll have to keep her and the goslings separated from your drakes. Even a very protective mama goose on her own my not be able to keep the babies safe and drakes can be nasty even kill. Plus once your female meets the goslings your going to want them to bond. It might be instantly or it may take awhile just depends on your female.

Pardon what may be a silly question, but I've never raised geese, just chickens and ducks, so I have to ask. Will a goose take on someone else's already hatched babies without being broody, herself? I know with chickens, they usually need to either have similar-aged chicks already or be setting on eggs, themselves. I was never successful with getting ducks to adopt, but that wasn't usually a problem. We had a banty hen who went broody at even the smell of a nest, so she raised any duckling she could gather ... even ones that already had a mama!

 

[Mathews2015]

If you get goslings you’ll have to keep her and the goslings separated from your drakes. Even a very protective mama goose on her own my not be able to keep the babies safe and drakes can be nasty even kill. Plus once your female meets the goslings your going to want them to bond. It might be instantly or it may take awhile just depends on your female.

I have introduced her to them but have not let them alone yet, I am waiting until the babies are old enough to be in the coop outside. Right now they are still in the house at night, they are very young and still have their fluffy look.

 

[Mathews2015]

Pardon what may be a silly question, but I've never raised geese, just chickens and ducks, so I have to ask. Will a goose take on someone else's already hatched babies without being broody, herself? I know with chickens, they usually need to either have similar-aged chicks already or be setting on eggs, themselves. I was never successful with getting ducks to adopt, but that wasn't usually a problem. We had a banty hen who went broody at even the smell of a nest, so she raised any duckling she could gather ... even ones that already had a mama!

I am not sure about this question, this is my first time with this as well. Hope someone answers, then we will both know! LOL