What do goose noises mean?

[lina500]

Our geese are about 6 weeks old. They used to follow me around the yard, but now they spend more time hanging out with our three ducks. Whenever I come outside they call out to me. I used to think they were saying hello--when I talk to them they talk right back. However, yesterday I picked up the little duck and put her on my lap. One of the geese got very excited by this and came over and was calling out again. I wondered if he was trying to protect the duck from me? Does that mean the geese calling out is not as friendly as I had assumed?

I'd love to read more about goose behavior because I have no idea what they are doing. If you have any links or suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

 

[tillyita]

Not necessarily, s/he could have just been calling out for his friend. You need to watch the body language - it says much more than the vocal language.

 

[lina500]

Anyone know anything else about what geese are trying to say when they talk to us??

 

[livininbrazil]

Our geese are about 6 weeks old. They used to follow me around the yard, but now they spend more time hanging out with our three ducks. Whenever I come outside they call out to me. I used to think they were saying hello--when I talk to them they talk right back. However, yesterday I picked up the little duck and put her on my lap. One of the geese got very excited by this and came over and was calling out again. I wondered if he was trying to protect the duck from me? Does that mean the geese calling out is not as friendly as I had assumed?

I'd love to read more about goose behavior because I have no idea what they are doing. If you have any links or suggestions, I'd appreciate it!

Anyone know anything else about what geese are trying to say when they talk to us??

Of course, as Tillyita said, the body language says a lot, but geese are really vocal, too.
I doubt your goose was trying to defend the duck as such. I think it has more to do with pecking order and who belongs where.
If you separate some geese for a week, say, and then they go back with their family, there´s a lot of noise, heads snaking, etc, it´s like "I´m back, guys!" greeting and also a jostling of who´s who.
When I go in with my birds and pick up another goose, duck, chicken, for instance, the geese are very aware of something different and keep an eye on me and make a lot of noise, too.
They shout when we drive off, when we come home, when my boy´s friends are here, when a student arrives, when there´s a strange dog around, the list goes on.......anything that´s a bit different to the norm.

So, I can only imagine that you haven´t been spending a lot of time with them lately, or picking up ducks, etc, so you´ve become the visitor. It happens. Anything a bit different, and off they go with their noise. I´ve put some of my youngsters in a different pen to sell, not far from their parents at all, but at night they´re still calling to each other! They´ll calm down.

Just spend as much time with them as you can, to stay part of the family.

When it´s time for nesting, you´ll hear a whole new repertoire.

 

[lina500]

Thanks! That's very interesting. I do spend a lot of time outside, but I haven't been picking up the ducks a lot lately, so maybe that's where the confusion was.

You say that body language means a lot. Do you have any specifics? I recognize that they do certain things (like outstretch their necks when they are "talking") but I don't know what it means.

 

[livininbrazil]

Thanks! That's very interesting. I do spend a lot of time outside, but I haven't been picking up the ducks a lot lately, so maybe that's where the confusion was.

You say that body language means a lot. Do you have any specifics? I recognize that they do certain things (like outstretch their necks when they are "talking") but I don't know what it means.

Well, there´s just so much. You´ll learn as you go, really. There´s nothing desperate to look out for that you won´t understand when you see it, if you see what I mena...like when they´re scared, you´ll know it. When they´re feeling fruity you´ll know it, when they´re feeling like they own the mplace...you´ll know it! Enjoy them and watch them. They´re fascinating.

Oh, outstretched necks when they´re running at you or someone else is Go Away...outstretched necks when they´re talking to you or somone else is a greeting......

 

[lina500]

Thanks, livininbrazil! It seems like they are always happy to see me, so I hope I am right.

I just found some great stuff on the Metzer Farm websites, including this one: Preventing Nipping, Controlling Noisy Greetings in Geese

 

[livininbrazil]

Thanks, livininbrazil! It seems like they are always happy to see me, so I hope I am right.

I just found some great stuff on the Metzer Farm websites, including this one: Preventing Nipping, Controlling Noisy Greetings in Geese

That was interesting. I don´t think about it, but actually I make as much noise as my geese early in the morning, I bend down and put my hand out to them and touch them, and I didn´t even think about behaviour stuff, it just comes automatically... My neighbours must think I´m crazy.

 

[lina500]

I do, too. And I am certain my neighbors think I am nuts!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I do, too. And I am certain my neighbors think I am nuts!

I'll join the crowd except I don't have neighbors[thank goodness]