Aggressive Goose

Ding Dong

I have a female embden goose, which has started laying in the past few weeks. She lives w half a dozen ducks and shares a filed w half a dozen hens too. I have two small children and up until recently, she was happy enuff to let the kids pet her. Only recenetly, tho, she has got v aggressive, now chasing anyone under 4' ft (any of the small kids) and knocking them over and biting. I dont want to have to get rid of her, but whats happening??? is it temporary? is it cos its breeding season?? if so, how long will this last? any advise would be great cos i dont like to think of having to watch the kids every time they go out into the garden

TooManyDogs

From what I've heard geese can be very aggressive. Apparently some people used to use ganders instead of guard dogs!!

http://www.fao.org/docrep/V6200T/v6200T0n.htm#the%20unbridable%20watchdog

KoNiT

yup, neighbour of mine kept geese, always knew when he had visitors...

mikemac

Yes, we heard the story of how geese saved the city of Rome back in primary school

I think what this goose is doing is fairly normal. That doesn't solve anything for you though.

Graces7

When we had geese, it seemed that their vision was not good. They see a blur and so attack.

We had a youngster we had hatched indoors and he was of course bonded; used to walk into our legs with a great frequency.

The gander would come racing, hissing, honking, wings out. Once I banged him round the head with a empty plastic bucket and he never attacked again.

It is a fearsome thing, to be charged by a large goose.

Visitors used to ask to be escorted to the gate. Better than a dog and the eggs are great.

And yes, this will be protective behaviour which the children need to respect and know.

Graces7

PS maybe pen her until the hatching?