Godzilla was just doing his job. I was trying to herd Billy-Bob out of the gaggle (for reasons I'll get into below), and Billy-Bob was using the females as cover... which led Godzilla to mistakenly believe I was hassling the females. Uh-oh.Godzilla got a good beak-hold on the back of my knee (through the jeans, no less), and wing-beat the living sh*t outta my leg. He remained latched on until my attention was directed towards him, and then gave me a couple more beats for good measure. Once it was clear I was no longer going after "his girls", he let go. I'm really proud of him, despite the hurtin' he put on my leg. He's doing his job: full-force offense when needed, then letting go when danger is over. Good boy!
On the other hand, Billy-Bob's personality has recently gone from charmingly cranky to down-right mean. He's getting rough with the ladies, and is bullying and interrupting Godzilla's wooing as well. We've enough ladies for them both, so it shouldn't be a matter of competing for scarce females. The past few mornings we've taken to isolating Billy-Bob from the group until they've had a chance to eat some greens in peace, then let him out when they come over to the pen to "see" him. I realize it's getting to be mating season, but mean poultry/fowl get eaten, and if he doesn't calm his crotchety-@ss down soon, he's going to become Sunday dinner. Seriously. The only question will be the method in which to do so.[pics: back of my knee (do you know how hard it is to take a pic at that angle?), and Godzilla in the Mist.]
Isn't it amazing how much those wings can hurt?! In my experience, the second in command male is always the meanest (I guess he's more frustrated). Good luck!! :)
ReplyDeleteOWwwwwwwuh.
ReplyDeleteHe's lucky you walk away feeling proud and not vengefully hungry!
http://www.epicurean.com/featured/goose-with-chestnut-stuffing-recipe.html
ReplyDeleteHi - I just found your blog via Mary Jane's farm. You are an inspiration. Now if only I could get my husband on board!
ReplyDeletelove, Emily
http://wideopenspaces.squarespace.com/
Geese are good food - I say go for it. Like you, I commend Godzilla for doing his job, and not tipping over into mean, but that owie looks like it hurt. I think Billy-Bob getting rough with the ladies is the characteristic that should move his expiration date up. Keep us posted on the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI dunno...I think most geese are ultimately kind of a-holes. Ours certainly is. Spouse wisely points out that without the competition, Godzilla may become just as aggressive. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThat said, chestnut stuffing is always fabulous :)
@Emily: hello, and welcome!
ReplyDelete@warren: I was originally thinking "strangle, hatchet or rifle-shot", but I like your style :-D.
@Karen - perhaps, but Godzilla was always a sweetie, especially since we raised him as a gosling and he bonded with us. That said, being near mating season, I'm not surprised he chomped. Usually he just does the head-down-neck-shaking thing if he think's we're hassling the womenfolk. Otherwise, he and the gaggle will hang out next to me when I sit on the lawn :-).