Geese Attack

[Garvey]

My gardening buddy was kind enough to share with me the location of her "horse manure" stash - a farmyard! Some of the best muck I have ever seen. While eagerly digging out the gardening gold this morning, I was subjected to a vicious and totally unprovoked attack by four geese! I never released how horrible these animals are! Be warned..... I received some quite nasty leg wounds!

[mothhawk]

Best "watchdogs" you can have, geese.

One of my favourite poems by Ogden Nash:

Be careful not to cross the gander,
A bird composed of beak and dander,
His heart is filled with prideful hate
Of all the world except his mate.
And if the neighbors do not err
He’s overfond of beating her.
Is she happy? What’s the use
Of trying to psychoanalyze a goose?

[Nicos]

Ouch!
...yes indeed they can be very aggressive especially towards strangers!

We have only experienced ours up to the age of 7 months and by then the boys are more than happy to nip yr bum as you walk past.

Sorry to hear you got the brunt of those four, it can be quite alarming can't it!!?..and I hope your legs recover quickly!

[Penellype]

Sounds nasty - hope you recover quickly. I remember being attacked (also at a stable yard) by a cockerel and that was quite bad enough!

[rustylady]

Turkeys are even worse

[Chippy Minton]

W have wild ones at work, one of them lays an egg every year next to one of the doors, then her mate stands on the path and attacks everyone, just by the restaurant, fantastic viewing

[Potstubsdustbins]

That brings back some memories.

Many years ago after my first early morning shooting session with my BILs we called by their recommendation at the Three Stags Head on the A623 between Stoney and Tideswell for a good full fry breakfast.

The pub was attached to a farm and you had a choice of fresh eggs, chicken, duck or goose. I only chose goose that once. The owner looked at me and said "you'll have to get your own their out back" and handing me a sweeping brush remarked "you'll also need this."

My BILs were local and must have known what was coming to this green city lad. When I got back in the pub they were all curled up with laughter, I had ............duck eggs instead.

Potty

[Scarlet]

Turkeys are even worse

I agree! One of mine I couldn't turn my back on, I used a dustbin lid with a sweeping brush handy. I had the last laugh when eating my Christmas dinner...

[Vince G]

Three Stags Head on the A623 between Stoney and Tideswell
Potty

Stayed just up the road from there last Sept in Houseley. Awesome pub, fantastic beer, chatty host once you get past the smalltalk, good food, dog-friendly....fantastic place.

[Alison]

They scare the hell out if me, had one do that at Kew once, shudder to think about it even now.


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[kathyd]

So... on a slightly more serious note (is that possible in here?? Lol ) - are there any 'nice' geese around?? I'd quite like a couple to help keep the grass short, but I'm very wary about them after everything I've heard... I was thinking 2 females, no males so no breeding and over-protectiveness? Would this work, or am I dreaming? And are any breeds slightly less bolshy than others?

[mothhawk]

I've never kept geese, but a quick goggle around brought up this page comparing breeds. Several there I've not heard of. The pilgrim geese seem a good choice, and I like the thought of being able to tell their sex at hatching too

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Vince, would that be the Bull in Foolow or the Stags?

I haven't been there for many a year.

Potty

[Aberdeenplotter]

My Gran had geese on her farm when I was a wee boy. I remember Eddie the gander well. He was vicious.

[Bigmallly]

by then the boys are more than happy to nip yr bum as you walk past.

That's boys for you Nic....................I remember being boxed in by over protective Geese parents after a fishing jaunt, pretty scary I can tell ya.