Adopting older goslings- will they still imprint

[Ejmaggz]

I am adopting 3 Sebastopol goslings this week. They will be 4 weeks old.

I am nervous about their age. Will they still bond with me or imprint if I spend time with them? Or is this too old to expect this?

I have chickens, ducks, and quail. These are my first geese.

Thank you!

 

[Debbie292d]

I know turkeys can imprint as young adults as my neighbors turkey did to ME and I did nothing but be in my yard. She kept coming across the road to see me when I'd be outside.

I would spend a lot of time with them and I'm sure they will as they are still young and they'll learn you're the "mom" of them.

 

[Jenbirdee]

If you spend time with them yes

 

[Iain Utah]

Imprinting only occurs at birth. However, they will still bond with you at that age.

 

[JRies]

I am adopting 3 Sebastopol goslings this week. They will be 4 weeks old.

I am nervous about their age. Will they still bond with me or imprint if I spend time with them? Or is this too old to expect this?

I have chickens, ducks, and quail. These are my first geese.

Thank you!

They will respect you, Listen to you and look to you. So much better than imprinting on you.

 

[chickiesmommy]

I got 2 at 4 weeks old and 2 weeks later 4 more at 5 weeks old. They come to me and are friendly. I can get them to walk outside with me. They are not overly attached (which I do not want but yes, they consider me mom and talk to me and will let me hold them). And they feed from my hand and they will tap me to let me know they want food. They definitely will bond with you but I have 9 now and they will generally be together than with me. I love our relationship though.

 

[chickiesmommy]

 

[Ejmaggz]

I got 2 at 4 weeks old and 2 weeks later 4 more at 5 weeks old. They come to me and are friendly. I can get them to walk outside with me. They are not overly attached (which I do not want but yes, they consider me mom and talk to me and will let me hold them). And they feed from my hand and they will tap me to let me know they want food. They definitely will bond with you but I have 9 now and they will generally be together than with me. I love our relationship though.

Mine will still eat from my hands when I have treats and if I sit near them they will come over to me. But they don’t like me picking them up. They are friendlier with me than my ducks are for sure. But not as friendly as I was hoping. Not sure if that is an age thing or a goose thing.

 

[chickiesmommy]

Mine will still eat from my hands when I have treats and if I sit near them they will come over to me. But they don’t like me picking them up. They are friendlier with me than my ducks are for sure. But not as friendly as I was hoping. Not sure if that is an age thing or a goose thing.

 

[chickiesmommy]

Mine will still eat from my hands when I have treats and if I sit near them they will come over to me. But they don’t like me picking them up. They are friendlier with me than my ducks are for sure. But not as friendly as I was hoping. Not sure if that is an age thing or a goose thing.

I think it depends on the individuals. I don't think geese in general like to be held but 3 of mine will let me hold them. I like the level of closeness...they are friendly but not needy. I have goats, dogs and pigs I raised from babies and boy are they overly attached to me at the hip. If I'm home, they will cry when I'm not with them. So imprinting may be a good thing if you're always home and have only a few babies.