Anyone have an imprinted goose?

[InviteTanner]

The problem may be that she's alone and doesn't have any siblings. When you leave her alone, she's truly ALONE. She's going to cry when you leave, but you're not giving her time to get used to it and find something else to comfort her. I know, it's heartbreaking, but you may be setting yourself up for worse things if you continue to let her sleep with you, live with you, etc.

I had two Sebbies delivered to me as day olds and I put a stuffed animal in with them, and also spent a LOT of time with them. As juveniles they still adore me, very vocal and want to be around me, but they aren't frantic when I walk away like they were when they were babies. It's very comical, if they hear me on the deck or in our barn they'll honk and come running to find me, and the whole time I'm outside they're walking and talking with me, but when I head to a car or in the house they'll wander back out to the barnyard. I've been told this is a Sebbie trait, and we had people over the other day that own several other breeds of geese/ducks and they say mine are the people friendliest geese they've ever been around. If my husband and I sit in lawnchairs in the yard, they'll be sitting at our feet like dogs. If they hear people talking on the deck, they'll walk all the way around until they find a way up, and they'll find a place to sit until we go inside.

I guess only you can find a balance between what's good for you and the gosling, and what's setting her up for more heartache once she's too big to live inside with you. Good luck!

 

[Poco]

My sisters and I have a goose that seems like she imprinted on all three of us and she follows us everywhere even through she's nearly an adult now, but we have a loving natural "caretaker" and "animal/pet" relationship. Their poop is waayyy too nasty and geese like to graze all day and can take care of themselves once they're adults. Our girl gets plenty of attention and even will sit on the porch swing next to us. She's content to be in her pen by herself but still wants to be next to of one of us in pasture. I'm actually trying to get her to be more independent now.

 

[YogiGoose]

I have Emilee, she was hatched June 10th of this year. I have had geese befor but never one that was imprinted. She was the only one that hatched, so I kept her rather then put her down. In the past 2 weeks I have learned more about geese then I thought possible. Im only 2 weeks in so would like to meet other people that have imprinted geese. I don't mean geese you lock up all day and come home to for a few hours, Im talking about geese you live with and allow a natural relationship to be established between MOM ( thats you) and the Human baby ( thats the goose) It was very hard for me to understand that Emilee thought she was human. I even tried to NOT be the mom and put her in with some baby chicks. It wasn't seconds and she was screaming. She was afraid. I took her out and decided that wasn't' the best idea I had had in a while. I then tried to give her siblings, my dog, the rabbit.. all failed but the teddy bear she had had since the day she hatched. Reading a bit I learned they do imprint on inanimate objects so to her, yes the teddy is a sibling.
She will entertain her self in her favorite place in the yard so I do have some free time, however we do sleep together, and she is at this moment sleeping on my foot.
Having EM has changed my life in ways I never would have guessed and I have learned more about geese in 2 weeks then I have in years of watching them at the pond. Im only 2 weeks in and would like to talk to others that have had imprinted geese for a while and can help me with what to expect, how to deal with potentional issues etc. Like the day I had company. Human company. That was interesting. She is very vocal and will ask for what she wants. I don't think I have been yelled at this much even when I had teenagers at home. Im almost 50, so this is a life time commitment for me, and her. If anyone can help us make this as painless as possible that would be great.

Emilee at 5 days



Em 1 week



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Hi! It's now March 31, 2021. I just came across this post while looking for information on how to care for a Canada Goose that has imprinted on humans. Yup, I have one, and he/she is turning 1. Long story. He was hatched by someone else, then placed in the lake. Unfortunately he can't join a flock because he sees humans as his people. He never learned goose rules or communication skills. He befriended me while I was swimming around the lake, and then I rescued him when he got frozen on the lake. There is a lot more to the story. If you still read this post, I'd love to chat with you. How is Em? Please contact me at [email protected] TY Sue

 

[Jhall4563]

I have 2 Sebastopol geese that have imprinted. They come running when they see me but they don't like being picked up much anymore. I agree with bryan99705 about the geese sitting on your shoulder. Don't do it.... lol. When I pick up my almost 3 month old goose Ginger the first thing she tries to do after giving me a big hug is get to my shoulder. They do have sharp claws.... hahaha. They still like being held. Fred will hide his face. Very funny. My 2 have paired up with 2 pekins that are the same age. It worked out very well because they were growing up with 4 chicks. They've more or less gone there own way but still get together while free ranging once in a while. I have lots of chicks, a few turkeys and 2 different kinds of ducks so my geese have lots to do to keep busy and not miss me. I just love my geese though.

Do your geese share an enclosure at night with other ducks / chix? We have recently adopted an imprinted goose that is only a few weeks old. He is living with our ducks and chickens but we are worries about what mat happen as the goose matures, although we prefer the thought of him having companions. Thanks!