Gossling Help :eek:

I think your animal family sounds like a real joy, and it sounds like you are making an excellent "Mother Goose"
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By the way, do you know what kind of goose Bill is? We have lots of Canada geese at the castle here, they can swim about on the moat, but spend most of their time toddling about on the green (they make great lawn-mowers) We occasionally go down to feed them and sometimes they surround us in a big, friendly mob - have to look out for the beaks though, 'cos they tend to poke your legs to get some attention.:D
 
Looks to be working :D
He was much more settled this morning although still quivery. But I tried making goose noises (don't ask :rolleyes: ) & now can get him to follow me when I crawl away from him, & he tucked up to sleep properly, head tucked down to the side & all. Although he only really settled after a spot of mutual grooming. He was 'grooming' my hand with his beak so I tried making similar movements down his back & sides using two fingers like a beak & he settled very quickly :D A bit more time doing that & I reckon I can get him to accept me as a foster mum. It's very time consuming & tiring though. But if I can get him to do that then it'll be worth the hassle. & is also an interesting education in goose behaviour :)
 
Hi Taffy :D

The wild geese around here are mostly white domestic geese that went feral years ago. it's a flock of about 20 individuals, mostly white but some with brown barring. I'm afraid I've never studied their markings closely though. They tend to spend most of their time around 'back beach' which is where my daughter goes for her sea scouts. Although sometimes we'll see them in the paddocks along the road into town.
 
Aww that's great Ciri, you seem to have made a real breakthrough with him now, well done.:thumb: He sounds so cute too - perhaps a subject for one of your lovely paintings when he gets a bit older? :)
 
Taffycat said:
Aww that's great Ciri, you seem to have made a real breakthrough with him now, well done.:thumb: He sounds so cute too - perhaps a subject for one of your lovely paintings when he gets a bit older? :)
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lol, I hadn't even thought that far ahead, but it's a good idea :)

I can't claim credit for the breakthrough. I went & read some Konrad Lorenz "king solomons ring". He spent decades raising & studying the behaviour of a variety of animals in a 'natural environment' & his flock of Greylagg geese were a very significant part of that. i believe he made a film about them once although I've never seen it. It would be real archaic footage now. & was probably only available in academic circles to start with.

Whoops, being summoned, gotta go sorry :(
 
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Woops, sorry Ciri, our posts must have crossed, so didn't see the rest of yours until just now. Regarding the castle, it is situated in the centre of the town here - it's 12th century and attracts loads of visitors. There are siege engines there and each year there is a festival in the grounds, with crafts and food stalls.

We have the white geese too, also swans and the proverbial duck population, all of whom float about on the moat - although we have had the occasional duck nesting at the edge of our garden, which is about a mile away from the castle. We were priviledged to see the mother duck (mallard) waddling across the lawn with a trail of about eight or maybe ten tiny ducklings last year. Really cute. Another year, a moorhen decided to nest nearby. You have to love them :D
 
cirianz said:
lol, I hadn't even thought that far ahead, but it's a good idea :)

I can't claim credit for the breakthrough. I went & read some Konrad Lorenz "king solomons ring". He spent decades raising & studying the behaviour of a variety of animals in a 'natural environment' & his flock of Greylagg geese were a very significant part of that. i believe he made a film about them once although I've never seen it. It would be real archaic footage now. & was probably only available in academic circles to start with.

Whoops, being summoned, gotta go sorry :(
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Oh yes! That was so interesting, and there is also a feature film which came out at the end of the nineties (I think - not very good at dates, or titles!!) The geese hatched, and imprinted themselves on the fellow, because he was the first thing they saw - so they followed him about and generally thought that he was their mum! I think it was probably based on Konrad Lorenz's experiences(?) The geese needed to be taught to fly, so the guy used a microlite plane and flew with them.

I have a soft spot for geese - my husband, when he was a very small boy, was terrified by a flock who used to behave like guard-dogs on the farm of one of his relatives :lol: they had to be held off with a broom, all hissy and honking, whilst he bolted past to get inside - I would have loved to see that!! :lol:
 
Taffycat said:
Oh yes! That was so interesting, and there is also a feature film which came out at the end of the nineties (I think - not very good at dates, or titles!!) The geese hatched, and imprinted themselves on the fellow, because he was the first thing they saw - so they followed him about and generally thought that he was their mum! I think it was probably based on Konrad Lorenz's experiences(?) The geese needed to be taught to fly, so the guy used a microlite plane and flew with them.
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It sounds like it, that's pretty much what Lorenze did, without the microlite of course. Have you read many of his books?

I have a soft spot for geese - my husband, when he was a very small boy, was terrified by a flock who used to behave like guard-dogs on the farm of one of his relatives :lol: they had to be held off with a broom, all hissy and honking, whilst he bolted past to get inside - I would have loved to see that!! :lol:
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Yes, I love geese too although, ironicly, I first became fascinated by them back when I was 13 & I first started reading Lorenzs' books. Given a career choice I would've become an Ethologist, but, unfortunately, the university here was so small that they had nothing related to it available to study at all. Now they do :rolleyes: Just a few papers in neuroscience & biology, but they are there. But, back then no one had even heard of Ethology so I studied psychology instead.

The castle sounds so cool. NZ just hasn't been colonised long enough to have any real castles or the like. Dunedin has 'Larnachs castle' here which wouldn't even qualify as an old manor house over in Britain.
Someday I have to get over there. So many things to see :)
 
This is a really weird post! lol. Hope things with the goose are going well. Is it any better?
 
cirianz said:
It sounds like it, that's pretty much what Lorenze did, without the microlite of course. Have you read many of his books?
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I was on the verge of turning into a pumpkin last night, as it was getting a bit late, so didn't express myself well. :o I was referring to the film being interesting as I haven't read any of Konrad Lorenz's books - yet! You really sparked my interest in him though, so I've just been browsing the internet to learn a little more about him. I then popped over to Amazon Uk and ordered two of his books, "Man Meets Dog" and "King Soloman's Ring." Think we shall both enjoy them here.
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cirians said:
Yes, I love geese too although, ironicly, I first became fascinated by them back when I was 13 & I first started reading Lorenzs' books. Given a career choice I would've become an Ethologist, but, unfortunately, the university here was so small that they had nothing related to it available to study at all. Now they do :rolleyes: Just a few papers in neuroscience & biology, but they are there. But, back then no one had even heard of Ethology so I studied psychology instead.

The castle sounds so cool. NZ just hasn't been colonised long enough to have any real castles or the like. Dunedin has 'Larnachs castle' here which wouldn't even qualify as an old manor house over in Britain.
Someday I have to get over there. So many things to see :)
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Oh what a pity it was that you weren't able to study Ethology, that must have been disappointing, but sounds as if you went for an interesting alternative.

I found a photo of Larnach's Castle on Google, it looks very impressive - and certainly more water-tight than our castle!! There is a photo here, if you'd like to see it. :D
 
Yes, thank you Chris :D I think I'd enjoy that film. & certainly would learn something :nod:

& Taffy, yes those are two of my favourites of his books. Fascinating & funny, I love them :)
One of my favourite stories is the one about the ducklings that couldn't see him when he stood up :lol:
But reading those books gave me a completely new perspective on animals & I then proceeded to drive my mother crazy for the next few years by refusing to keep my budgeriegar shut in a cage. the budgie was very happy flying around free in our lounge. & my mother was very tolerant of the chewed wallpaper & stains on the curtains :rolleyes: More so than I would've been I think... she had just saved up & re-wallpapered the lounge :eek:
I am so glad that I don't have to be mother to myself :rolleyes:
My children are so much more better behaved than I was... so far anyway :rolleyes:

The psychology was a bit of a wast of time really. It wasn't untill I was in my 3rd year that I really knew for sure that I thought that about 75% of it is either cr*p or patronising rubbish.
It sort of clinched it for me when they taught us that we should "automatically assume anything a parent tells you about their children is a lie until evidence indicates otherwise". Guilty until proven innocent. So much for being 'objective' :rolleyes:
That's when I knew for sure that I was never going to practice psychology & ended up with a worthless degree. But mind you, I did learn some very useful skills so I suppose it wasn't all wasted.

The gossling is going well. He seems quite happy around me now & will follow me around outside down the back paddock (with me honking & making generally gooselike noises :rolleyes: ) (although I have to lock all (5) of the cats inside in order to go for our strolls & collecting them all is a job & a half :wall:
He doesn't get afraid of me now & when something gives him a fright will run to me for protection/comfort. But he gets very lonely. I expect that he's never been alone before in his life & I can't be with him all the time. I try to come & spend time with him whenever he gets agitated - I'm getting very good at reading his cry's, but no idea yet what the proper response noises should be - or hungry of course. & I make soothing 'goosey' type noises at the door when he just needs some comfort or reassurance that I'm still there (5 times since I started writing this). But that still leaves a lot of time on his own shut in his cat-box, & it's likely to be at least another week before we can build him an enclosure outside.
So it's not ideal & I'm very tired but I'm enjoying & learning very much. It is quite fascinating. I've looked after injured animals before, but the last time I had to raise a baby bird I was 17 (& the cat got it shortly after it learned to fly :( ) & this's much more labour intensive. The gossling is much more intelligent than the fantail was so becoming the mother substitute takes much more effort, but is also more rewarding.

I'm rambling aren't I :o

Better go :)
 
Ciri, you certainly don't "ramble" it's really enjoyable to read your views and experiences.

I echo your feelings regarding caged birds
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(what an understanding mother you had!) and it makes me feel sad to see them on sale in pet stores - although as a child, we too kept a budgie, who lived for 9 years. Some of the animal books I've enjoyed over the years, were those written by Gerald Durrell (the conservationist) and James Herriot (vet) also Joyce Fussey and Doreen Tovey who wrote entertainingly about the animals they kept/lived with. There were more, but I have since forgotten the names of their authors, as it has been a while since I read them.

Wow Ciri, no wonder you became disillusioned about psychology when they were giving you such biassed advice. :eek: That is pretty creepy, when you consider that it is often the opinions of such people, which can help decide upon someone's future. I'm not sure if you would agree, but my own feeling is that some folk have a "natural" aptitude for understanding and "reading" others (guess I am partly talking about body-language here :) ) It obviously helps if one can understand the "language" and interpret the signs of course. I have been fascinated by some of the books of Dr Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape; Manwatching; The Human Zoo; etc., etc.) His Cat and Dog Watching books were also very interesting. (We currently live with three cats:))

Glad to hear that the gosling is thriving, sounds like you are doing such a good job in catering to all his needs. :thumb: He must look so cute toddling around with you. Can you stand a daft suggestion? If you feel that he might be lonely, do you think it would help to try putting a bit of soft blanket into his box, with a small transistor radio (if you have one small enough) rolled up inside it, playing very softly? I guess you'd need to see how he responded to a talk station, or whether he preferred something musical :lol: That tiny bit of noise, might just help to fill-in for the sound of his mum's heartbeat, etc. (.... Ok, I just know that people reading this will now be phoning for the men in white coats to come and take me away :p...but hey, it might just work. :D
 
Taffycat said:
Ciri, you certainly don't "ramble" it's really enjoyable to read your views and experiences.

I echo your feelings regarding caged birds
nod.gif
(what an understanding mother you had!) and it makes me feel sad to see them on sale in pet stores - although as a child, we too kept a budgie, who lived for 9 years. Some of the animal books I've enjoyed over the years, were those written by Gerald Durrell (the conservationist) and James Herriot (vet) also Joyce Fussey and Doreen Tovey who wrote entertainingly about the animals they kept/lived with. There were more, but I have since forgotten the names of their authors, as it has been a while since I read them.

Wow Ciri, no wonder you became disillusioned about psychology when they were giving you such biassed advice. :eek: That is pretty creepy, when you consider that it is often the opinions of such people, which can help decide upon someone's future. I'm not sure if you would agree, but my own feeling is that some folk have a "natural" aptitude for understanding and "reading" others (guess I am partly talking about body-language here :) ) It obviously helps if one can understand the "language" and interpret the signs of course. I have been fascinated by some of the books of Dr Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape; Manwatching; The Human Zoo; etc., etc.) His Cat and Dog Watching books were also very interesting. (We currently live with three cats:))

Glad to hear that the gosling is thriving, sounds like you are doing such a good job in catering to all his needs. :thumb: He must look so cute toddling around with you. Can you stand a daft suggestion? If you feel that he might be lonely, do you think it would help to try putting a bit of soft blanket into his box, with a small transistor radio (if you have one small enough) rolled up inside it, playing very softly? I guess you'd need to see how he responded to a talk station, or whether he preferred something musical :lol: That tiny bit of noise, might just help to fill-in for the sound of his mum's heartbeat, etc. (.... Ok, I just know that people reading this will now be phoning for the men in white coats to come and take me away :p...but hey, it might just work. :D
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That's a very good idea :D At the moment he's just in a nest made of shavings. I'll have a hunt around & see if I can find anything small enough :)

Yes, I also grew up with & still love to read animal books, Have you ever read "Never cry Wolf" By Farley Mowat? I love the half canoe, & when he goes around marking his territory :rolleyes:
Most of what we know about wolf behaviour now has come either from his study or from studies that were based on it. Although I don't think anyone else integrated themselves to guite the extent Farley Mowat did (re the mice)

The gossling has been renamed Pringle & is currently settling down to slleep in my left arm nook. Apparently I make a good bed :rolleyes: I also make a good shower companion I'm told (he was absolutely soaked by the time he'd finished playing in the water) :lol:
I'm sure the men in white coats will be along shortly:nod:
That'll be nice... rest :D :cool:
 
Oh I loved Farley Mowat's "The Dog That Wouldn't Be" which I read quite a few years ago. I remember hearing him in a radio interview and immediately bought that book - speaking of which, the Konrad Lorenz books were delivered yesterday, so looking forward to reading those (haven't had time to dip into them yet :( but I think my husband also has an eye on them, so good job I sent for two! :D (I'm making a note of the Farley Mowat title you mention, and will see if I can get it in good old Amazon)

I love the gosling's new name, "Pringle" sounds very suitable somehow - and cute :nod: he must be a lot better company than a rubber duck at bathtime!! :lol: And really enjoys getting wet, by the sound of it. Looks like he has really begun to look upon you as "mum" he must be feeling very relaxed to sleep whilst you cuddle him like that - bet he looks so sweet (hint ..hint.... maybe you'll get a moment to sneak a quick pic of him ...:rolleyes: )
 
OMG! One week & he has literally doubled in size!!! & he eats like a horse! A pile of grass that would last him a couple of hours last week is not enough for even one feed! He can eat 4-5 times that in a single feed now & is in definite danger of starving to death if he doesn't get fed for a whole 2 hours or so :rolleyes: & his mush mixture is now 3x his previous amount. & this doesn't include his grazing time up the back paddock.
Now I remember why I didn't want to have any more babies. Although, after this I think my kids are coming to the same conclusion. My daughter is definite that she doesn't want children after all this! :(

I've got some piccys, although they don't have any size references & I forgot to take piccys on the first few days so i can't show how much he's grown. I'll get them resized & posted as soon as I get the time. My morning skive off (Tomo's got him for a snooze now but i can hear him peeping again) is running out now.
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Gosh Ciri, you really must be doing all the right things - it's great to hear that he is doing so well :thumb: Sounds as if he is really one of the family now Really looking forward to seeing the pics too - there'll not be a dry eye in the house!! :D I wonder how old he has to get before his "peeps" turn into "honks?" ;)
 
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