Geese help required

[fartoomany]

I have just taken on 4 Geese for a while- 1 Gander and his 3 wives. They belong to my brother and have come to me temporarily! They only arrived yesterday - can you tell me how long it be until they are used to me-if at all!! I have them in an enclosure so they can get used to me and my way of doing things, I will then let them out onto my fields, but I have horses so everyone needs to get used to each other first? They hiss and get cross with me, but I try to stand my ground. Thank you.

 

[Davidd]

Hello, they should settle down soon, but it is the start of the breeding season and most ganders will become a bit a naughty! Just try and be calm around them and let them settle in- they soon get to know you.
regards, David

 

[fartoomany]

Thank you - I'll no doubt be in touch again - when 'he' gets naughty! They do seem bewildered at present, and haven't eaten much? Hopefully by the weekend they'll be more settled.

 

[steeple ducks]

As long as they have water and grass or put some wheat in the water so anything else wont get to it first, my mature geese don't appear to eat much at all either.

The horses could be a problem as they could kick the geese.

I don't know about aggressive geese but hissing in non-agressive geese suggests they are worried about you. Also it is the start of the breeding season so even the gentlest ganders start to carry on. As you have only one male it should be OK but he will keep himself between you and his lady's so don't try to split them up cos he wont let you. Geese are sociable and respond to your behaviour if not too scared to pick up on it. So be calm and gentle and keep talking.

Hope its settling down now?

 

[fartoomany]

Today was eventful! My farrier came today instead of Thursday as arranged, I couldn't be there today as had to work. Farrier arrived 7.40am - Geese seemed ok within their electric fence pen, I left to go home. Later the farrier contacted me to say that 1 of the geese had decided to come through the elec fence to see him? - Goose not happy with farrier! the geese have only been with me since Sunday but obviously yard rules must apply-best to warn off even though the person has been invited- the other 3 geese then decided to follow Mr Gander-then all 4 where out? I can't have my mobile on at work so blissfully unaware of the mornings events until lunch time. All 4 geese then decided to take themselves back to my brothers who fields are much further on along the track - luckily some regular walkers saw them and shooed them into a field. My brother then came and walked them back to upto me - 4 geese now safely tucked up in bed after their eventful day!
I do remain calm with them, talk to them but stand my ground-they do go quiet so assume they are beginning to trust me? The geese are away from my horses and I don't intend to have them out with them, I can keep them seperate. How long do you think I need to keep them confined before I can let them roam alittle further? as I say they have only been with me since Sunday so still early days! I'll keep you posted on the events - hopefully not a repeat of today.