Feather pecking

Goosehill

In the Brooder
Sep 3, 2024
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In a pen of 5- 2 ganders and 3 geese, one of the geese has a bare patch on her rump, feathers pulled out and raw. I have identified the dominant gander as the instigator of this and if given a chance he will chase her until he catches her and just pull feathers until she escapes.
She is penned separately at night for her own protection but has become a timid creature even during the day when they have free range; she wants to be with the others but he chases her away. She is a little lighter in weight than the others and certainly not as strong but has improved with being penned with supplementary food at night

I'm considering a bitrex type product as used for chickens, but it seems to me that this gander won't give up this bullying behavior readily? and can't be trusted with smaller geese or ducks. I am considering placing him in confinement for a few weeks to change the pecking order but it seems the picked-on goose will likely be at the bottom of a new pecking order...

Any ideas, I'm thinking he may need a new home and that could be in my freezer yet?
 
How old? In my experiences this type of behavior is harder to fix in adults. We had to put one in the freezer because he decided one day it was his job to get rid of the new babies. He also was the one instigating the attacks and killing of chickens. With him gone the others stopped the behavior.

I could remove him for a few weeks and see. Otherwise he would be Christmas dinner here. You ratio is off anyways. You have 1 gander too many.
 
The gander in question is at least 3 years old, the other one is only a year old but bigger and stronger, quietly protective of his mate and quite laid back. They get on fine, both ganders have paired up leaving the picked-on goose without a mate...

I have included in their free range area a patch of rough Kikuyu grass and weeds for them to forage about in, as well as scattering their maize in the ryegrass/clover which covers the remainder of their range. My thinking is that it gives them something to do other than play dominance games, much like occupying the minds of squabbling children. So far it seems to be working.

Apparently Stockholm tar is very good for discouraging feather picking too...
 
The gander in question is at least 3 years old, the other one is only a year old but bigger and stronger, quietly protective of his mate and quite laid back. They get on fine, both ganders have paired up leaving the picked-on goose without a mate...

I have included in their free range area a patch of rough Kikuyu grass and weeds for them to forage about in, as well as scattering their maize in the ryegrass/clover which covers the remainder of their range. My thinking is that it gives them something to do other than play dominance games, much like occupying the minds of squabbling children. So far it seems to be working.

Apparently Stockholm tar is very good for discouraging feather picking too...
Extra space and ability to graze will help some. But there are some ganders that will just be troublesome…

I’ve raised around 70 something geese the last three seasons, in that group I’ve seen many ganders that behave very well, and two that killed goslings and would make war constantly with other birds or people. In my opinion, it is often easier to remove (either sell or cull) the problem ganders. The flock will appreciate them being gone.
 
Extra space and ability to graze will help some. But there are some ganders that will just be troublesome…

I’ve raised around 70 something geese the last three seasons, in that group I’ve seen many ganders that behave very well, and two that killed goslings and would make war constantly with other birds or people. In my opinion, it is often easier to remove (either sell or cull) the problem ganders. The flock will appreciate them being gone.
I caught him in the act not long after and he had a humbling in front of his girlfriends- held down, on his back until he submitted. The younger gander seems to have taken the lead and the problem seems to have gone away for now...
But yes, when I'm sure the younger gander has worked out what he is supposed to do the call of the freezer will become loud and clear.
 

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