Unwanted feathered tenants

[Bill Mullen]

We moved into our new house a couple months ago. It has a nice big inground pool in the back yard, but since the previous owner was ill last year, the pool has not been used since 2006. We have a pool company coming in a couple weeks to open it and do whatever it takes to make it fantastic for the grandkids.

Problem: A pair (male and female) of Canada Geese have taken up residence in the pool for the past two weeks. They swim around as if nothing is wrong and if I shoosh them out they're back as soon as I'm in the house. My neighbour told me they made the pool their home last year because nobody ever went into the back yard to scare them away.

How can I gain control of my pool without having PETA picket my house?
Are Canada Geese tasty?

Thanks
Bill Mullen

[Wand Raymond]

Pool Cover? They will make a terrible mess, worse than a dog, and their feces can carry Salmonella bacteria.

[Bill Mullen]

Originally Posted by Wand Raymond

Pool Cover? They will make a terrible mess, worse than a dog, and their feces can carry Salmonella bacteria.

The winter cover is still on the pool but because we had a lot of snow which has melted, there's actually a foot of water on top of the cover.

I know they are terrible, dirty pests. Instead of being a protected species there should be open season on them.

Bill M.

[Wand Raymond]

http://www.birdcontrolsupplies.com/geesecontrol3.htm
http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/broc...dageese-e.html

and do a Google search "Geese deterrent"

Honk, honk, honk.....

[Joe Farsetta]

With a proper level of chlorine in the water, and an effort to shoo them away, you should be able to get control of the situation quickly. With proper filtering and chlorination, the small abount of feces they produce should not pose a real hazard, unless not monitored and managed.

In NY, Canadian Geese are not a protected species. Ensure that they are indeed Canadian Geese and not mallards.

With only two (for now) the situation is manageable.

You may want to try and create a safe haven for them elsewhere on the property. They are migratory birds and likely feel safe. They will try and return year after year. If one is separated fromthe other, and not transported together, they will lileky never be re-united. Often when females and their yound are relocated without a male, the offspring and female are killed by other geese.

We had a bit of a war last summer at our town pool over a mallard family in the pool and on the grounds. We had two warring factions: the Duck Squad (protectors) and the Old Bastards.

We prevailed and learned lots about mallards, geese, similarities, differences, and public health.

[Wand Raymond]

The problem is not the feces in the water, its the feces they leave on the pool decking and grass areas, they love eating nice green grass. Not to mention they are noisy.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Bill We do have a huge problem with the Canada's.
These are more then likely Maxima the largest of the 11 varieties of Canada geese.
I used to raise them years ago ( permit required )
They where almost extinct many years ago and there was a push to help save them .
Now they are a huge Nuisance who do not migrate.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/w-fact/0003.html http://rochesterenvironment.com/geese_problem.

Javex jugs tied along a rope is the way to herd them .
Fish line tied down low over the water upsets their flying ever three feet across the pool.
Get them gone now or thet will stay for ever.

[Bill Mullen]

Thanks for all the great information, guys. I'll let you know how successful I am.

Bill M.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by bmullen

Thanks for all the great information, guys. I'll let you know how successful I am.

Bill M.

Would anyone ever know if they disappeared onto your table or into your freezer. Just tell everyone you finally got rid of them!!

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

Would anyone ever know if they disappeared onto your table or into your freezer. Just tell everyone you finally got rid of them!!

Strong line fish hook and Corn ,I am told works well ,or a box made from stove oven liners and door that swings in only,add corn inside .
Please be carefull they are strong and do bite and twist at the same time Hurts Like he77. Been there.

[bjones5]

A 1 or 2 year old territorial cat works wonders at ridding yards of unwanted feathered visitors.

[Rob A. Parker]

Bill 12ga Shot gun BB or bigger shot works every time. Be carefull around the pool liner.They taste real good BBQ

[James F. McKee]

a little greasy for my taste in the oven, but now a slow fire on the grill with the right BBQ sauce and You may be wishing You could get another pair to fly in next year....I have also heard that the fishing line 18" off the ground/pool works great.....jim

[George A. H. Luck]

I saw the fishing line thing work quite well at Cape Canaveral. The fish line was strung at about 10 feet above the ground at irregular intervals. Kept the sh*thawks off the equipment. Tried it over my own pool last year to fend off a squadron of black birds who decided that it would be great fun to re-enact the attack on Pearl Harbour over my pool. My air defense system worked well and they laid siege to the neighbour's pool instead.

[Marcel Gratton]

Originally Posted by bmullen

We moved into our new house a couple months ago. It has a nice big inground pool in the back yard, but since the previous owner was ill last year, the pool has not been used since 2006. We have a pool company coming in a couple weeks to open it and do whatever it takes to make it fantastic for the grandkids.

Problem: A pair (male and female) of Canada Geese have taken up residence in the pool for the past two weeks. They swim around as if nothing is wrong and if I shoosh them out they're back as soon as I'm in the house. My neighbour told me they made the pool their home last year because nobody ever went into the back yard to scare them away.

How can I gain control of my pool without having PETA picket my house?
Are Canada Geese tasty?

Thanks
Bill Mullen

Ingredients

1 cup wild rice, raw
10 lbs goose
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons orange zest, grated
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 cup celery, sliced (with leaves)
1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
1 (17 ounce) can whole chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh sage leaf, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried sage)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram

Directions

1. 
   
   Cooked wild rice according to package instructions (you should have about 4 cups cooked). Set aside to cool.
2. 
   
   Preheat oven to 350ºF.
3. 
   
   Remove giblets from goose. Remove loose fat from around cavity openings. Discard or reserve for another use.
4. 
   
   Prick skin and fat with a skewer in several places, being careful not to pierce meat.
5. 
   
   Sprinkle goose inside and out with salt and pepper. Rub with orange zest.
6. 
   
   Fry bacon in a skillet until crisp. Add onion, celery and parsley and sauté 5 minutes.
7. 
   
   Stir in chestnuts, cooked rice and herbs. Season to taste with salt.
8. 
   
   Stuff goose with this mixture. "Sew" cavity shut with skewers and cotton twine. (do not stuff goose until ready to roast).
9. 
   
   Place goose breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Roast about 20 minutes per pound. (if skin begins to brown too much, cover loosely with foil.).
10. 
    
    Remove to cutting board and let rest 15 minutes.
11. 
    
    Remove stuffing to a bowl and carve goose.

Bon appétit!