Human food is not healthy for geese. Even if the geese are in a public place, such as a park, refrain from feeding them. [2] X Research source Geese are easily domesticated, especially if they are getting most of their food from you. [3] X Research source You may want to construct signage in your area letting others know not to feed the geese. [4] X Research source
Changing grasses may only work if there is another source of food for the geese. Geese will eat most short grasses and legumes if it is all that is available. [6] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source You may have to treat your grass with a chemical repellent, such as anthraquinone, which triggers digestive irritation in geese. There are several goose repellents available, many of which contain Methyl anthranilate, a chemical that makes grass taste bad to geese. [7] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Let your grass grow taller in the winter, and limit the amount of watering and fertilizing you do in the spring. [9] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If you have a pond on your property, let the grass grow up to 20 inches to prohibit geese from gathering around it. Let the grass grow several feet across the property. Your property will look shaggy, but the geese will likely search for another nesting area. [10] X Research source Geese prefer open spaces where they can see predators and feel safe. Tall grasses disrupt this feeling of safety. [11] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Only dogs that have been specially trained by a handler should be used to scare geese away. [13] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Do not let the dogs catch or harm the geese. If not specially trained, the dogs may cause the geese to re-locate to the water, where the dog will not pose a real threat. [14] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If the geese are nesting or raising young, do not attempt to scare them away with a dog. [15] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Cutouts of dogs or coyotes may work better in an area where geese have already learned to fear these animals. [17] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Keep cutouts moving by placing them on a swivel. The wind will cause them to appear more lifelike to the geese. Move the cutouts around your property to maximize the effect. [18] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Like decoys, sonic repellents may only work as a temporary solution. Geese can get used to loud noises rather quickly. Sonic repellents are much more effective if the geese associate the noise with a mobile threat, such as a dog or a person. [20] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Addling prevents geese from tending flightless goslings, and limits the number of geese in an area. [22] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source You must be properly trained to addle eggs. There are courses available online to guide you through the process. [23] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source You must register with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service before addling eggs. Some states require special permission aside from registering with the U. S. F. W. [24] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Geese often return to their nesting places from the previous year. Keep records of nest locations to make finding nesting areas easier. [26] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Geese build oval nests out of vegetation, mulch, and other similar materials. Goose feathers on the ground may be a sign that a goose nest is close by. [27] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Don’t approach a nest alone. When approaching a goose nest, it is important to work in small teams of 3-4. Geese will actively, and aggressively, defend their territory. [28] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
If you know the eggs to be older than 14 days, it is no longer humane to coat them in corn oil. [30] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If a goose egg floats in water, it is past the 14 day limit. Return the goose egg to the nest. Do not dry the egg off as this can disrupt the protective outer layer of the shell. [31] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Your state may have other requirements for disposing of goose eggs. [33] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Consuming goose eggs is illegal, as is trading, buying, or selling. [34] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Once the eggs have been removed, you can scatter the nesting material to discourage geese from using the nest again. [35] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
