Sadly, Grady the angel-winged gander is no longer with us. During the wee hours of Independence Day, raccoons attacked in the goose pen. The one casualty was Grady. Greta Goose is A-okay.
I won’t even tell you the guilt I’m feeling now as I knew the raccoons had been raiding their food lately – but I wasn’t convinced they could harm my geese.
Rest in Peace, dear sweet Grady. There wasn’t any hint of mean spirit in you. You were a wonderful companion for my dear Greta Goose. You were a trooper.. apparently protecting your Greta girl up to the end.
Here is the last picture I took of Grady – last week during our early morning walkabout. In spite of his Angel Wing Issues, he truly was a beautiful-handsome boy.
Until I have the goose area more secure, Greta has been inhabiting a large pet taxi in the house at night. I pack her in the house at dark, and back out in the morning. She’s been a polite houseguest, with only an occasional honk-honk.
Raccoons are smart, and some of our more cute wild creatures. I won’t argue that one bit. However, this time of year, please make sure your coops and pens are secure and raccoon-proof ~ as it’s their time to be more aggressive to find extra food for their babies. We know they kill chickens and other small feathered creatures. And yes, they do kill geese also :(
.jpg)
20 comments:
oh, i'm very sorry. he was a beauty...
Oh no! I am SO sorry to hear about sweet Grady. I am glad that Greta is OK though. She must have been traumatized by the whole ordeal, poor thing.
How sad. What a beautiful animal!
Do they pair for life?
How sad!!
Raccoons are beautiful and curious and smart, but they can also be aggressive killers of smaller or weaker creatures. People tend to forget that--and that they have great dexterity for doors, latches, cupboards, you name it.
I'm glad you have Greta safe with you at night. She must be lonesome.
I used to raise geese so I know how attached you can get, this saddens me too! So sorry! Geese mate for life, but I hope Greta will remarry one day! I love geese!
i knew they could be vicious but never knew they'd kill a goose! so sorry!
I'm sorry :( I"ll keep you and the rest in my prayers. I know that loved ones, even animals, birds, mean so much to us !!!!
I live in an apartment complex...although I'm not very far from the country. It's a nice mix of city/rural where I live. In any case th ere's a little stream and field nearby. RAccoons like to visit our apartment complex. They eat the kitty food that our n eighbors leave out for the cats. I haven't heard them lately, though. I suspect they'll come for a visit.
It's not been too much of a problem, except for those times when my dad came home at 9p.m...It's not super late, but there was a raccoon ready to greet him as he got out of the car...
I'm glad that Greta Goose is okay!!! Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :) :)
For years I thought that geese were safe from predators because they are fighters, especially the ganders. Then one day I watched a fox carry one off in broad daylight. I hate to lose animals to varmints; I haven't had chickens in years because the raccoons killed them as fast as I could buy them.
That is sad! Sorry to hear about Grady.
Glad you houseguest is polite. Does she honk in the middle of the night?
Hope you have a nice weekend.
Melinda
So sorry to read about Grady!! Those darn raccoons!
very sorry for your loss. so sad.
Poor Grady - - - and the trauma for Greta. Oh, my! Will she miss him? How old are/were they? Will you get another mate for Greta? It must be the week for wildlife adventures. My daughter had a corn snake climb an outside wall to get a bat! http://bearcatfeet.blogspot.com/
Aw, that is so sad. Poor Grady and Greta!
I am sorry about Grady, he was beautiful. :(
I am so sorry. That is so sad. My feelings are with you. Rest in Peace, handsome Grady.
Tammy I'm so sorry to read this. He was stunning.
How sad. I'm so sorry Tammy. He was a pretty boy and has me dreamin' of geese of my own some day... Raccoons are evil (but cute). Best wishes to you and Greta!
hugs,
Leslie
I'm sorry to read this...they really do become a part of our family. Thank you for the reminder of how I need to keep my eyes on our hens. They're secure at night, and in an enclosed run during the day, but I was just told that a raccoon will actually reach through the run wire. My new little apple tree, loaded with apples, was broken in half...I'm assuming a raccoon scrambled up it for food, and I understand the need, but the tree is right next to the coop. They're out during the day now being braver than usual. And as silly as it sounds, I put a baby monitor in the coop so I could hear any scuffles. Again, so sorry to read this. -Mary
Oh wow..I hadn't heard and realized you left a link. I'm so sorry, he looked just precious Tammy! Gosh, there are really preditors to watch for -our animals are family and mean so much, I don't need to remind you! I'm glad you playing it safe and Fort Knox is fitting..(hugs and a prayer for your hubby too)
Oh terrible!! He certainly was beautiful.
Post a Comment