Winter= taking away their "fun"

[DoodlesDuckies]

I fell bad taking away my ducks/geese fun away for the winter. Right now the weather is stable to have them run the 5 acre yard during the day with 3 kiddie pools and food available all day. Every morning they waddle excited to the yard when the doors open...they waddle ALL OVER THE PLACE. When it starts to freeze, very soon in these parts, I will need to take away their fun of pool and running the yard. The neighbor is allowing me to fence off their field (about an acre) this winter for them but it isn't fun access to corn fields, tall grass, wooded areas, watery ditches, frogs and bugs galore. (1 drake, 6 ducks, 1 goose and 1 gander)

How do I start taking away those things? Start with the fenced area and only keeping them in there with their pools ect...and slowly taking those away too? What can I do to keep them happy and occupied all winter? I don't need angry birds picking on each other when I finally got a good thing going with them all getting along.

Thanks!

 

[p4PaDuck x2]

Just gradually take away the pools then there free ranging time and area until they are in their coop. And I it isn’t below freezing and around 55 degrees the you can spray them with warm water. The really like it. Just be sure to somewhat dry them water droplets off or they will freeze

 

[p4PaDuck x2]

Buy them a little bitty wind chime and hang it to where they can get it and maybe a toy that gradually gives them treats? I don’t normally do this but it works!

 

[p4PaDuck x2]

If you don’t mind, what is your experience with your geese? What breed do you have?

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

If you don’t mind, what is your experience with your geese? What breed do you have?

This is my first year with ducks and geese. I got 2 goslings in spring and hatched out my ducks. One gosling (my male) got ill and I had to put him down. I tried everything to keep him alive and it was just so sad to see him fade away. I did find another goose for my female- he fit in great. My female took a bit to accept him but they are thick as thieves now. They are separate from the ducks at night, but wander with them during the day for the most part. The ducks have a ton of energy so they are ALL over the place. Kind of like crazy toddlers into everything. The geese are more laid back and are more interested in what we are doing. The breed? I have no idea, they came from hodge podge farms. The gray one, Eddie, is my female-have had her since a week old. The white one (Rusty) is the male-he is about 2-3 years old and came from a little old lady's homestead. He lost his mate in an owl accident. They do not let me touch them (ok, I can catch them if I have too) but they will be right by us when we are doing yard work and just overall nosey. Never have attacked anyone. They honk from time to time but nothing annoying. Rusty has hissed at my dogs before when they get too close, the dogs just walk away. When I hear people say geese are mean, I dont see it.

In all honesty, I love my ducks but I do enjoy the geese more. JUST MY OPINION.

is there anything specific you would like to know?

 

[Velociraptors]

This is my first year with ducks and geese. I got 2 goslings in spring and hatched out my ducks. One gosling (my male) got ill and I had to put him down. I tried everything to keep him alive and it was just so sad to see him fade away. I did find another goose for my female- he fit in great. My female took a bit to accept him but they are thick as thieves now. They are separate from the ducks at night, but wander with them during the day for the most part. The ducks have a ton of energy so they are ALL over the place. Kind of like crazy toddlers into everything. The geese are more laid back and are more interested in what we are doing. The breed? I have no idea, they came from hodge podge farms. The gray one, Eddie, is my female-have had her since a week old. The white one (Rusty) is the male-he is about 2-3 years old and came from a little old lady's homestead. He lost his mate in an owl accident. They do not let me touch them (ok, I can catch them if I have too) but they will be right by us when we are doing yard work and just overall nosey. Never have attacked anyone. They honk from time to time but nothing annoying. Rusty has hissed at my dogs before when they get too close, the dogs just walk away. When I hear people say geese are mean, I dont see it.

In all honesty, I love my ducks but I do enjoy the geese more. JUST MY OPINION.

is there anything specific you would like to know?

Chiming in real quick to say that it looks like you’ve got an African grey and an emden (the white one!) The white patch on the grey’s side in the second picture is really interesting. Almost like a birthmark! Africans are what I’ve kept throughout my life and I really like them.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Chiming in real quick to say that it looks like you’ve got an African grey and an emden (the white one!) The white patch on the grey’s side in the second picture is really interesting. Almost like a birthmark! Africans are what I’ve kept throughout my life and I really like them.

The male I had that passed was an African also then?...he was such a sweet boy. I held him ALL the time. It only figured he was the one to get sick and die. So disappointing to say the least. (picture is Clark-male that passed)

The gray one came from a farm with MANY different breeds so could the white spot be from some cross breeding?

My white goose has gray in his feathering also??

 

[Velociraptors]

The male I had that passed was an African also then?...he was such a sweet boy. I held him ALL the time. It only figured he was the one to get sick and die. So disappointing to say the least. (picture is Clark-male that passed)

The gray one came from a farm with MANY different breeds so could the white spot be from some cross breeding?

My white goose has gray in his feathering also??

Crossbreeding is very likely! If one was the result of it, then it’s possible the white one was too. I noticed the grey in the feathers after I posted. Also the orange beak for the African, which is a sign of crossbreeding as well. Their beaks should be black. I can’t say what they were crossed with of course, other than African/emden for the two mentioned above, but they’re not any less special! Clark was definitely an African, yes.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Crossbreeding is very likely! If one was the result of it, then it’s possible the white one was too. I noticed the grey in the feathers after I posted. Also the orange beak for the African, which is a sign of crossbreeding as well. Their beaks should be black. I can’t say what they were crossed with of course, other than African/emden for the two mentioned above, but they’re not any less special! Clark was definitely an African, yes.

I am hoping they have a gosling or two in spring. Probably asking for trouble with that but I would like them to give it a try. I don't know how well they would be as a nature hatch-happy little family? Or nightmare? LOL

The breed doesn't bother me as long as they behave and these guys are good, so far. Spring will tell a different story from what I have read.

 

[p4PaDuck x2]

This is my first year with ducks and geese. I got 2 goslings in spring and hatched out my ducks. One gosling (my male) got ill and I had to put him down. I tried everything to keep him alive and it was just so sad to see him fade away. I did find another goose for my female- he fit in great. My female took a bit to accept him but they are thick as thieves now. They are separate from the ducks at night, but wander with them during the day for the most part. The ducks have a ton of energy so they are ALL over the place. Kind of like crazy toddlers into everything. The geese are more laid back and are more interested in what we are doing. The breed? I have no idea, they came from hodge podge farms. The gray one, Eddie, is my female-have had her since a week old. The white one (Rusty) is the male-he is about 2-3 years old and came from a little old lady's homestead. He lost his mate in an owl accident. They do not let me touch them (ok, I can catch them if I have too) but they will be right by us when we are doing yard work and just overall nosey. Never have attacked anyone. They honk from time to time but nothing annoying. Rusty has hissed at my dogs before when they get too close, the dogs just walk away. When I hear people say geese are mean, I dont see it.

In all honesty, I love my ducks but I do enjoy the geese more. JUST MY OPINION.

is there anything specific you would like to know?

I find that the bigger the duck the more laid back and friendly they are. How loud are the geese compared to the female ducks