goose attack

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barefoot_boo

Joined: 06 Aug 2005
Posts: 399
Location: Wiltshire

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 05 8:58 pm Post subject:

I sincerely hope that your little one is OK, and that the trauma of the incident doesn't have an adverse effect on how she relates to animals in the future. To echo what's been said before, I think your OH has absolutely nothing to feel guilty about - he was simply being defensive of his young (a natural instinct for any animal

). The goose would have received the exact same treatment if it had tried it on with my daughter - and would now be heading for the pot.

boo

Jb

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 8:35 am Post subject:

Anonymous wrote:

The correct way to confront an aggressive gander, I am presuming this was a gander and not a goose, is to grasp it by the neck quite high up and close to the head

Just one question. What's the gander doing while you are trying to grab it by the neck?

sprinter

Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 42

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 8:53 am Post subject:

It's one of those situations JB that sounds more difficult than it actually is. A ganders neck is the most vulnerable part of it's body. If the gander is going for you, then by definition it's wings will be outstretched away from you. It comes forward you grab it and pull it a few yards "casting" it off as you let go.
If it is going for somebody else, it isn't expecting you anyway and you can shift it easily.
He will still hiss and have a stance but it's highly unlikely he will come back at you. He knows you have found his weak spot and isn't likely to come back when feeling vulnerable.

It is the safest method. A beak can give a very nasty nip. I use the word "nip" in the most vague sense. A nip from a gander can produce a very nasty and painful bruise. However it is the wings that are the problem. A true attack by a gander means he will use his wings. Think of them in the same category as a swan. They can easily break a mans arm.

Hitting a gander with a stick is really a useless and dangerous exercise for both man and beast. A small(ish) stick does diddly and leaves you open to those wings because it's unlikely to deter him initially and he will keep coming forward. Also few people walk around carrying a stick!

In this instance the chap used the only defence he knew of which was a kick. It may have worked it may not, he may have missed and kicked the child. Easy done in a panicky situation.

A goose will rarely attack. I've never known it. They may get defensive while on a nest but then in that situation they will be dealt with by their owners who, hopefully, will know what they are doing.

A few, ganders, are aggressive and will attack during the breeding season but this is by no means the norm. They may follow you out of their territory, swearing a lot as they go, and may easily attack if actually approached by a stranger, but this is by no means standard. Lots of myths surrounding geese particularly the confusion between a goose and a gander.

Geese - breeding season - leave them to themselves and generally they will not bother you either.

Hope this info helps anybody that finds themselves in a similar situation.

mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 10:42 am Post subject:

A good strong pair of welding gloves works a treat when handling geese. A walking stick too...as the bird comes out of his house/hut/chalet/luxury appartment hide behind the door, grab his neck with the walking stick and bring him to the ground, then sit behind him and hold him by the neck.

If he is destined for the pot make sure you have an idea how old he is....the older they get the tougher they are.
Ours look magnificent but are getting on....soon will be 15! Would be as tough as nails!

D

sprinter

Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 42

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 11:43 am Post subject:
That reminds me of a friend who had one of a pair of geese stolen just before Christmas. It was 30 years old! I wonder how long they had to cook it till it became tender?

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 11:47 am Post subject:
That's really sick (the thieving scum, not your joke, Sprinter!), I hope, if that was what it was taken for, that they choked on it.

sprinter

Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 42

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 1:56 pm Post subject:

It was very sad Bugs.

My joke was really tongue in cheek because there isn't much more you can say.

The saddest bit was that her partner was left alone. He never paired up with anybody else and to my knowledge is still alive and well. Was about 4 months ago anyway and the other was stolen about 5 years ago.

People forget that geese form very, very, strong bondings and can live an awfully long time. During that time the goose usually remains quite productive, egg laying wise, although I believe after the age of about 15 you don't get quite as much "activity" from the gander sexually speaking.

mrsnesbitt

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1576

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 05 3:29 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I believe after the age of about 15 you don't get quite as much "activity" from the gander sexually speaking.

Jo is nearly 15 andI don't think he has any thought of slowing down! He's very much active, the noise is rather embarassing and certainly draws attention to what's going on!

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