Imprinting

[aoxa]

I've raised 12 ducklings. Handled them in the first few days, but they always were terrified of humans. Now they are less fearful, but will not eat out of my hand. Chickens imprinted easier than ducks. Geese imprinted on me without any effort.

 

[Diamond88]

I have no experience with geese personally, but as far as waterfowl go, I've heard that they usually make friendlier, more sociable pets than ducks do. My duck is imprinted on me so she follows me around and she'll eat from my hand, but she's still not keen on being held. Only when she's very tired will she sit on my lap and let me pet her. Otherwise, she squirms away from me pretty quickly. Don't get me wrong, I love her and I know we have a special bond. She very much enjoys my company, and we'll watch movies in bed or play on the computer together. But, if you're looking for a snuggly bird, maybe a goose would be a better option.

 

[archil]

are geese generally quiet?
are there any quiet breeds?
I live in a sub-sub-urban area so I need them to be quiet

The only breeds for sale that i can find so far in my country are
SEBASTOPOL
PILGRIM
ENGLISH GREY (GREYLAG)
CHINESE
and
CAPE BARREN

 

[aoxa]

are geese generally quiet?
are there any quiet breeds?
I live in a sub-sub-urban area so I need them to be quiet

The only breeds for sale that i can find so far in my country are
SEBASTOPOL
PILGRIM
ENGLISH GREY (GREYLAG)
CHINESE
and
CAPE BARREN

Do the Sebastopol.

Stay away from pilgrim, and chinese. Not sure about the others.

My geese are SOOO much more quiet than my call ducks. My muscovy duck is the quietest bird I own. Depends on the breed. I was told by Celtic Oaks that Sebastopol are very similar to Toulouse in terms of temperament and noise, and my Toulouse are extremely quiet. They will honk a couple times a day at me to say hello, but not often. Not loud enough to bother anyone.

My two girls



as little babies who imprinted on me. They would run to the edge of the brooder to be picked up.


<3


Harassing my fiance. They love to pull on clothing and try to eat it. There's a gander in there as well. He's the one in the middle.

 

[archil]

Aw they're so sweet
I absolutely love any kind of bird though

It says that sebastopol "don't fly well"
Does this mean not at all?
I need them to no fly, pretty much for the same reason as I need them to be quiet
It looks like it would be a bit hard to clip their wings with all of that stuff going on

 

[aoxa]

Aw they're so sweet
I absolutely love any kind of bird though

It says that sebastopol "don't fly well"
Does this mean not at all?
I need them to no fly, pretty much for the same reason as I need them to be quiet
It looks like it would be a bit hard to clip their wings with all of that stuff going on

No they won't fly at all. If you really, really don't want them to fly - consider toulouse. The most they get off the ground is with each step they take

 

[aoxa]

Though you are going to get two at least right?

Ducks AND geese should have company. Even if they imprint on you and think they are a human. They would be miserable while you were gone.

 

[donnavee]

Just to let you know, I hatched out 2 ducklings in the incubator - I talked to the eggs when I turned them and they definitely imprinted on me. They loved sitting on my lap and snuggling. However, unless you give them constant attention as a Mama Duck would, they gradually become more wary as they get older. Mine were very friendly until I put them outside with the other ducks - then they had a new family. All of my ducks run to me hoping for snacks and some will eat out of my hand but none are as friendly as my chickens who like to jump in my lap (also hoping for a snack).

 

[archil]

Of course I would get more than one, I hate seeing lonely animals.
Are toulouse geese quiet?
The breeds I listed are really the only ones I can find here So I don't know if I could find any.
Are they docile and friendly? That's a big must.

 

[aoxa]

Of course I would get more than one, I hate seeing lonely animals.
Are toulouse geese quiet?
The breeds I listed are really the only ones I can find here So I don't know if I could find any.
Are they docile and friendly? That's a big must.

Quote: Mine are gorgeous, sweet and loving birds. The gander was never handled before he came here, and now readily eats out of my hands and chews on my clothing like the girls. I didn't even handle my girls much at all. I was gone from 7am - 4:30pm, so only evenings and weekends were spent with them, yet they still bonded to me easily. They followed my boots around everywhere, peeping the whole time. It was adorable.

I love the toulouse. They are sweet and gentle. I raised my girls with chickens from day olds, and they always got along with them well. They even swim in the duck pool with the call ducks (who are basically the size of their heads).

I only have Dewlaps. I don't know where you are located, but there are some breeders all over in the US. You might have issues finding babies at this time of year.. Unless you try to get them shipped from somewhere warmer where they have geese laying now. I think Celtic is getting eggs now from them - though I can't say for sure.