Backyard Poultry Forum

After a very successful Euroa Auction today I finally have a goose for my long time bachelor gander Ronnie!

I have a medium sized yard I lock him in at night (10m x 8m) so when I got home I put her in there first. She seemed to make herself at home almost immediately which was a surprise as she was one half of a pair that I convinced Auctioneer to seperate. I was expecting her to be fretful and missing her partner as geese "marry" for life.
Feeling confident I put Ronnie in with her and she seems very happy to make his aquaintance. They are already "attached at the hip" after only a few hours.

I normally free range Ronnie and my other pair (that sleep in a different yard as they were not too friendly to Ronnie whilst they had their goslings with them).

I am thinking I will keep the two newlyweds in the yard for a day or three to let them bond fully and for her to become used to her new home.

Will they bond that quickly?
The other pair seem very curious about the new addition. Should I keep them away from the yard for the time being?
Is she just being friendly or is she actually more serious?

Thanks for any advice you might have to make this a happy union!

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Buff Cochins, Light Sussex (Standard & Bantam), Silkies, Salmon Faverolles, Coloured Indian Runners, Geese, Peafowl (Blues, Pied and Whites), Dogs, Cats, Goats, Sheep, Alpacas and Horses!

geese fall in love. but lonely geese will make friends with each other. She still may miss her first love so watch her. They can fret to death.

Now if she and her ex had never had babies you may be in luck. Their bond really sticks after having babies together.

If that hasnt happened.... wait and see. breeding season will tell you. If she rejects his advances then you may never get goslings.

Cheers.

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MY WEBSITE http://shambhala-birds.webs.com

Trim one side of the goose's wings (unless you've already done that) to keep her grounded when you let them out. To rebond a goose/gander to a new partner, it needs to be out of "honk range" of its old partner.

I find, aslong as they ARE a pair and not 2 ganders, that geese bond within a day or two. If there's continual squabbles, check the sexes.

You'll probably find your goose is quite noisey calling for her lost partner. They do quieten down eventually......

Jacquie

I bonded my geese for the first breeding season, starting from March, they normally bonded within a week or so, but do not get let out until a month has past..

When they do get let out together, they join the flock to wash in the dam, but if they come back to their bonding pen, then no worries.

If they do not, it maybe time to sell them or one of them.