It took a few days, but we confirmed that the geese had bonded so well to the goslings that they weren’t leaving, even to walk to the pond to bathe. Not good.

So, we swapped the goslings into the old chicken coop, moved the chickens to the newer gosling coop (which has improved roosts and nest boxes), and hoped the geese would follow. (How, you ask? Well, did you know four goslings will fit in a wine box? No? Now you know.)

With some encouragement, they did… and left straight for a half hour bathe-and-preen in the pond while the goslings, left behind, peeped madly.

Much better.