Can Geese Be Good with Children?

[jessi]

People sometimes tell me they want to get some geese because it would be nice for their children to have them to play with. I tell them that geese can be fun for older kids, who can be taught how to respect goose boundaries and how to behave safely around geese, but that kids under 8 or 9 should probably not be exposed to the critters.

Perhaps a single goose as a pet would work out, if it had the right personality. But the more geese you have, the more likely a child could be injured. Geese develop a herd-like mentality when you have more than two, and are very territorial, especially in spring and summer (breeding season). That can translate to sneak attacks from behind if you're in "their" area, biting, and even getting knocked down and wing-beaten. I would never let a small child into a yard unsupervised with geese.

What is the experience of the other forum members? I decided to enter this topic because there is very little information on the Web about geese other than this forum. If people do a google search for "geese and children," they are likely to be directed here. So I thought we should provide some information on this subject for the public who are looking for it.

I just placed four goslings into a new home and was amazed at how many calls I got (from my Craig's List ad) of people wanting geese for their children. People need to understand that geese are not play animals. Having geese is rather like raising bees. You wouldn't send your five-year-old out to collect the honey, and as a beekeeper you'd expect to get an occasional sting. It seems to me many people don't understand this, get geese for the wrong reasons, then dump them when the animals chase and bite their kids (or their owners).

Geese are not "mean" and they do not chase and bite out of meanness. They do it out of instinct, their instinct for nesting territory, and their need to protect their mates, nests, eggs, and young. Geese have tremendous passion, great attitude, and once they love you or hate you, it's forever. They form strong bonds with one another (or strong animosities, for instance if you try to keep two ganders in too small an area for both to have their own private territory). They are wonderful animals, but with special needs that need to be understood and respected.

What is other people's experience with geese and children? I'm sure what we share here will help a lot of people and keep a lot of geese from winding up in homes where they are unwanted.

Jessi

 

[BlackBart]

I raised Geese as a child but my parents understood Geese and taught me.
For the majority of children I don't think it is a good idea. The Geese will suffer unfairly.

I like Geese, they can become very tame and my favorite goose, Meg, used to follow me everywhere. When we would go for walks to the beach, I would loosely tie a string around her neck and use it like a leash. She was really sweet, she used to make little goose noises.
Her mate, Gregory, was only territorial in mating season and we respected his boundaries.
They both lived to ripe old ages.

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
My whole flock of 18 young geese are great with my kids and others kids (with supervision so the dang kids don't ruin my training)...like big loud puppies. My older geese who were not hand raised I trained to stay back from strangers and my kids were taught how to handle the geese even in their crankiest times. I think anyone who thinks they are just going to take a goose home and hand raise it and forever more it will be friendly and completely safe may have another thing coming.

I know what I am doing and am an animal trainer and you have to know how to handle geese yourself before you can train your child. Some geese will be just peachy...females more likely. Others even hand raised can turn shy and you can't tell when they are babies. What happens if a particular goose doesn't turn out as expected? If you handle them wrong and with geese it doesn't take much, you can ruin them forever. One incident with visiting obnoxious children ruined my older flock completely.

Even friendly geese can chew very hard and can hurt fingers and toes unintentionally. Male geese during breeding season will threaten and if they get away with scaring someone off will gain confidence and even pinch hard. Females on a nest might be uncharacteristically in a foul mood and nip. They can hiss like the biggest baddest snake you have ever thought of hearing. With kids one pinch, one nip and most run for the hills and want nothing to do with the bird after. Then what??? It has to be ok before you get a goose if it is friendly and wants your attention or if it decides that it would rather not be social, one has to be ready to put up with the breeding behavior. And the POOP!!!!! OMG!! And the parents have to commit that no matter what the bird is THEIR responsibility and not the children's and if anything goes wrong it is on THEM not the child or the goose.

In my opinion if they want a big bird specifically for their children to make pets of and handle, they are far better off with a duck or one of the large breed hens. Those don't get nearly as temperamental and nasty most times. My kids like their geese no doubt but that is because they feel in control at all times and never in danger because I taught them how to handle all common goose behaviors and how to properly handle the geese. Even still they (and I) moan when they have to go out and do the daily "egg battle" between the males trying to protect the female and nest to the female who refuses to get off the nest and just dying for a nip if you get close enough. Why mess with such an unpredicable, moody and LARGE pet for little kids- get them something nicer and more their own size. Geese are far better suited to older children and adults as a project.

 

[Davaroo]

I can tell you my daughter would say NO!

When she was little, there wasn't a goose within eyesight that didn't take it as a challenge to accost her. She would run shrieking, the goose driving down on her neck outstretched. The poor child was literally petrified at the sight of geese for years after.

Considering the size of some geese, I'd say its better safe than sorry - keep kids and gooses apart.
The same thing can be said of kids and roosters...

 

[Cottage Rose]

I would advise any potential buyer that geese do not make good children's pets!
Even geese bonded to humans at birth eventually grow more independent with age and can be very temperamental and bite during the breeding season.
I think any breeder with any ethics is going to discourage impulse buyers that have no understanding of the nature of geese to buy their child something like a puppy or a kitten.
There are many out there desperately in need of a loving home.

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
I think any breeder with ethics is going to educate and suggest to an impulse buyer they may want to think again no matter who the goose is for- especially if the plan to make close pets of them. Many adults get the geese for themselves and then find out that they poop ALOT everywhere, and they chew like the worst toddler and teething puppy put together, they can and do eat and destroy landscaping, and then they grow up and are not cute babies anymore and they can honk loudly, pinch, hiss and threaten when the mood takes them...then they don't want them anymore.

But then again that's what I like about animals. They are so honest and true to themselves and others. They do what their kind has done since time began with no apologies.