This shouldn't be so hard... geese are easy to herd. Basically, if you raise your left arm, they will turn to the right and vica versa. I find using my cane for an arm extension helpful... makes the signal more visible.

All you have to do is set up a large dog crate with some kind of barrier (chicken wire, snow fence etc.) to funnel them towards the destination. They will likely hiss and even pinch if they are frightened, so the less actual handling until they get to know you the better.

Once they get used to you they will likely become quite friendly... Geese are wonderful: intelligent, responsive and lots of fun. Good luck rounding them up!

If you use a dog crate be sure to put heavy cardboard or plywood in so they have a firm surface. Geese are very vulnerable to foot and leg injuries. Don't rush them while herding -- just keep a slow even pace and they will do the same to maintain the distance ahead of you.

NEVER try to restrain or lift geese by the feet or legs the way you might with a chicken. If you must handle them, grip them firmly but not too tightly by the neck and then pick them up by the body, restraining the wings to keep them from flailing. Carry the goose so its head is facing backwards under your arm. They are far easier to herd than to carry.

Yes- herd them into a pen of some sort. Then have a large dog crate ready. It will fit two most likely. They will panic if separated.
As Maggie said make sure the bottom is good. If it is mesh only, it's needs something else, feet slip through and when you put the crate down you'll break legs.
I have caught them by hand and it isn't worth the trouble, unless you have no options.
When you get them home, make sure they are fenced into an area well, with food and water etc. Once they've adapted to their situation (their house) they do well freeranging if it is safe from animals and traffic(at least part of the day, cuts feed costs down dramatically). But give them plenty of time to adadpt and don't ever expect them to be friendly, that would just be lucky.

HI . I love my geese. It has been my experience that every flock of geese has a leader. If you can get the leader under control first the rest will be easier to capture. If it were me I would offer the geese some bread or corn. The goose that leads will come to the food first usually. I would make a circle of some wire or an enclosure of some wood pallets and herd them into it. Remember geese can fly a little 4 foot wire is only a temporary obsticle for them. They can go right over the top. Grab the goose firmly by the neck and a wing. I would put the goose in a feed bag (50 pound plastic bag and tie the bag shut) you can cut a hole in the bag for the head to pop through. The bag will make it easier to carry the bird and protect feet and wings. How will you keep the birds on your property after you move them? It will take a while for them to imprint on you . They will need an area to graze and water deep enough for them to drink and bathe.I have a small plastic kiddie pool for mine in warm months and a 4 inch deep plastic seedling tray for in the winter. I feed my geese game bird crumbles and cracked corn in the winter. Good luck with your birds
Linda

Mountain Man - Why do you think the geese are unlikely to become friendly? Is it because they are already grown, rather than having been raised from goslings? Or are some breeds friendlier than others?

Linda - I agree that offering them food is a good idea, but I'm not so sure about trying to get them into a feed sack. My geese are very gentle and friendly but that would spook them and then they can be MOST uncooperative. ;-)

I am wondering what kind of geese you have... some must fly better than others. I have one Pilgrim goose, one Buff and a mixed breed gander (Toulouse/Embdem?), all about 7 months old. They CAN fly, but I have never seen them get more than a foot off the ground--and only that if they can run and flap hard to take off. Mine free range, but I have barriers at strategic points. Most of these barriers are only 2 -3 feet high, but they contain the geese nicely.

Not to hijack this thread, but what do you give your geese in the winter in the way of greens - and how much?

RedRobin - One more thing you should know about geese! They will nibble or chew on anything. If you use a heated bucket for their water, be sure they cannot get at the cord, even if it is protected by one of those guards. My geese got hold of a heavy duty extension cord and chewed right through it in one night, copper wire and all. Mercifully, it was not plugged in.

They also tend to swallow small inedible objects like coins, screws and nuts, bottle caps etc. -- often with fatal results. Make sure their area is free from things of that nature. Maddening creatures - but oh! so wonderful.

Please let us know how the round-up goes...

Mine like 2nd and 3rd cutting grass hay in winter, also cabbage.

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions!

The roundup is set for Saturday...I've got snow fence, a dog crate and plenty of volunteers...

Another question- would it be easier to get them at night - that is, do they sort of go limp (well you know what I mean), like chickens, at night?

Sorry, can't answer that one from experience, RedRobin, since my geese are always tucked into their half of the poultry house at dusk.(They holler for me if I am even a few minutes late.) My understanding is that geese are alert at all hours -- hence their reputation as "watchdogs". I suggest daytime... at least you will be able to see what you are doing. Just don't rush them... they are easier to manage if they don't feel pressured. Slow, steady movement works best. Good luck! I hate to think of them abandoned like that and hope they will let you give them a good home.

SNOWFENCE.... I tried it and they can go right under it! It bends up and they are under it. (the orange plastic stuff)Try pegging it tight every 3-4 feet. Be overly cautious, because if you miss the first time it will be really hard to get them back into it.
Maggie- I've had embdens/romans/chinese and all have been nasty. The embdens threatened to bite at every visit- hissing and lunging- but never did. The roman goose did bite, and the others were always fearful of me. I got them all seperately but as adults.
I've had better luck feeding Canada geese down at the lake, it's amazing.

Gee, Mountain Man! My three geese are soooo sweet! They greet us vociferously whenever they see or hear us, doing ecstatic "fly-bys" with honking to attract our attention. If ever I need a lift of spirits all I have to do is go outside and call my geese by name..."Willow, Dapple. Buff!" and they respond with enthusiasric honking. I just love my geese... and they seem to love me too!

Geese don't sleep at night like chickens do. They graze, doze, graze, doze 24 hours a day.

When I had geese, Toulouse and Africans, they didn't go under the fence, nor over a 4 ft fence. Really couldn't fly. If the fence had been real loose at the bottom, though, that would've been different. I've had good lucking tacking the bottom edge of fence down with tent stakes, the metal kind with a downward pointing hook.

Make sure they'll have some shade from sun, and LOTS of water to drink. They can drink an amazing amount when the weather's hot.

Well, how'd the Goose round-up go? I hope you had luck getting them all!

RedRobin, RedRobin... We're dying to know how the goose round-up went! Please post soon!

Sorry about the delay....we had to put off the round up til this Friday because of the weather. I also wanted to wait until the family who's been feeding them can help out too...I guess the geese have really taken to the youngest daughter, so maybe if there's some familiar faces around, the birds will be alittle more cooperative.

Geese can see in the dark so it will not help to try and catch them at night. Chickens on the other hand are easy to catch in the dark they have limited night vision. Many a night I have heard geese flying south even on moonless nights.
I do not worry about feeding my geese greens in the winter. They have huge stores of fat . I feed them game bird crumbles and cracked corn in the winter. The geese help themselves to hay the goat drops and I hand them a couple slices of old bread every morning with their hot water. The geese love hot water in the winter they stand in it and bathe in it and drink tons of it. I give it to them as hot as I can . It doesn't seem to bother them at all.