What Is Egg Addling And Is It Effective At Geese Control?

Is Nest Destruction A Viable Geese Control Method

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects many native bird species, including their eggs and nests. Nest destruction is a clear violation of the act and is punishable. Even though geese are migratory birds, they are also creatures of habit. Adult geese tend to nest in the same areas, and even return to the same nesting sites year after year. Destroying a goose’s nest won’t cause them to vacate the area forever. Geese are also persistent creatures and are likely to build a new nest nearby if their nest is destroyed. Nest destruction isn’t considered a humane method of population control and can cause stress to the adult geese. By implementing humane methods, geese can continue their lives uninterrupted and without being harmed. Continue reading to learn more about egg addling and other humane options for geese control.

Addling As a Humane Option

Because Canada geese are federally protected, there are some challenges with geese management. Canada goose populations continue to rise in both the US and Canada, making goose control increasingly necessary. Addling is considered a humane option for wildlife management and for maintaining goose populations. Geese egg addling methods are all non-lethal. Because no adult birds are hurt during the process, and goose egg addling occurs before embryo viability, there is no direct harm to the birds. The eggs never hatch, and there is no destruction of goose nests.

Because there is almost no direct disturbance to the geese, they can continue living as normal without any threat to their lives or survival abilities. During egg addling, it is important not to disturb the wildlife population to ensure the ecosystem stays healthy. While egg addling is a method of population management, the goal is to avoid causing any harm. This humane method of geese control is less stressful for the geese than many other proposed methods, like capture-and-release. The entire process is designed to help control the population of geese ethically, and without causing pain. Simply put, the geese can continue with their lives, and the eggs will never become viable.

Are Canada Geese Federally Protected?

Both Canada and the US have formally recognized that egg addling is a humane method of wildlife population management. Any removal of eggs from a nest of a protected species requires a federal permit. Any egg removal that occurs without a permit is a clear violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Any geese removal methods that physically harm the geese, their nests, or their eggs are not permitted. If someone had unique circumstances and believed that the population of geese on their property was causing severe problems, they could apply for a permit that would specify the exact methods and strategy used for population control.

Goose dogs have become a popular solution for managing geese without harming the birds. Goose dogs can safely and humanely herd the geese away from the property repeatedly, sometimes causing the geese to relocate entirely. Go Geese Go has specialty-trained border collies that mimic the experience of being hunted for the geese. Goose instincts imprint this fear and lack of safety into the birds. If done prior to nesting, geese develop a fear of the area and won’t feel confident in their abilities to protect their nests. These services are available for residential properties, golf courses, hospitals, airports, shopping centers, cemeteries, manufacturing facilities, and more. Contact Go Geese Go to learn more about our services and how we can help reduce your goose pest problems.

The Migration of the Canada Goose

Geese migration occurs twice a year. Flocks migrate south as the temperature drops, and then return north once the snow begins to melt. The primary reason for migration is comfort. During winter, food and resources are much easier to come across in warmer regions. They return north to molt, nest, and raise their newborn goslings. Historically, this cycle repeats annually; however, with changes in urban development, not all geese vacate their northern homes in the fall.

We see geese spending more and more time in urban areas, and as they become more accustomed to our accommodations, their numbers will continue to rise in our cities. Manmade environments like golf courses, parks, recreational facilities, college campuses, and retention ponds all provide an ideal habitat for geese. These areas often lack dangerous predators, supply water and food, have desirable nesting sites, and are comfortable, wide-open spaces. As geese become accustomed to these environments, they become less dependent on seasonal migration. As time goes on, we see more geese that are becoming non-migratory, making their enormous population even more daunting.

Hire Geese Control Professionals

Go Geese Go offers goose control services for clients of all sizes. While geese migrate seasonally, all cases are unique. We meet our clients at the site to survey the issue and develop a plan of action to keep your properties goose-free throughout the entire year. For more information, reach out to Go Geese Go, and we can get started!