Lonely goose?

[ermer124]

Im wondering if someone can give me some information on imprinted geese. I know they can be quite lonely if they remain by themselves, and they are a lot more attached to momma when they're alone too, but I'm really not equipped to have two geese since they get so large. My question is what can I do for her to make her feel less lonely besides getting another gosling? I give her a lot of attention and affection while I'm home, which is most of the time. I do work basically every day, but I'm only gone for around 5 hours at a time, though I do have longer days maybe once a week or so. I want her to be as happy as she can be, and I've got a stuffed animal cow in her box with her that she seems to like, but what else can I do? Or is she doomed to be lonely/sad when I'm not there?

 

[Alaskan Dragonfly]

Im wondering if someone can give me some information on imprinted geese. I know they can be quite lonely if they remain by themselves, and they are a lot more attached to momma when they're alone too, but I'm really not equipped to have two geese since they get so large. My question is what can I do for her to make her feel less lonely besides getting another gosling? I give her a lot of attention and affection while I'm home, which is most of the time. I do work basically every day, but I'm only gone for around 5 hours at a time, though I do have longer days maybe once a week or so. I want her to be as happy as she can be, and I've got a stuffed animal cow in her box with her that she seems to like, but what else can I do? Or is she doomed to be lonely/sad when I'm not there?

You could give her a mirror, but it might make it worse. Plain and simple, a single goose is a lonely goose, even if they have a human companion.

 

[The goose girl]

As long as she is a gosling, she'll feel scared and lonely whenever you're out of sight.

When she grows up, she'll gradually feel safer on her own.

My previous goose, Keld, started venturing outside on her own when she was about three months old. In the beginning she would come back inside to check up on me quite often, but little by little she stayed outside more and more until she only came in for a nap or to beg me to take her for a walk. By then she was around five months old.She usually stayed in my yard, but if she heard the neighbors talking, she'd go visit them. She always enjoyed company, but she didn't always follow me - she seemed to expect me to follow her.

Is there any way you can bring her with you to work?

 

[Mi Ranchito]

I agree with Alaskan Dragonfly....Ermer124, how do you think you would feel if you were the only one, with no one to talk to or be understood? Your little gosling, needs another to talk to and be friends with...

 

[ermer124]

I do have currently have kittens and a wiener dog, but she seems scared of the dog I keep her away from the dog, but I do let her and the kittens play when I'm there to watch(the kittens get a little rough from time to time). I do work a pretty laid back place, so I'm think once I get her diaper harness and she gets just a little bigger I will ask my boss if would be ok to bring her with me. I'm not really able to have a second goose at this point, but if it comes right down to it then I will find a way to make the arrangements and get her a friend. I dont want her to be sad or lonely as I've heard that if they get too lonely they could start to pluck they're feathers out or stop eating and starve themselves.

 

[Rosie42892]

Geese do very poorly alone. They are much more socially interactive then chickens, and slightly more then ducks. I know of people who have tried to keep a single goose indoors and realized that it simply is not fair. They adore being outside in the sunshine foraging. Geese forms such strong relationships that they want constant companionship. Although you may spend a great time with your girl, they want CONSTANT companionship.
I have two girls who were obsessed, to say it lightly, with me while they were in my house in the brooder. Since I could not be there for them 24/7 I "cut the cord" and put them outside with a light in my coop. They still love me, but they are happily being GEESE, rather than constantly waiting for me to come home.

Do you plan on keeping her in the house full time, or transferring her outside?
My favorite and most cherished purchase in the animal form is my geese. They are the most loving, intriguing animals.

 

[momo18clara]

Would you consider getting her a duckling? That would probably keep her happy and they are much smaller than geese.

 

[ermer124]

That is a good idea. I would have to do a good bit of looking around to find somewhere to get one around here, but that would be easier for me than another goose I think. Today is my first long day at work since I've had her and I felt so horrible having to leave her that I literally cried. She isnt really alone today though, which is the only reason I could force myself to leave. My father is at the house and he said he would keep an eye on her. I just know he isn't going to hold her as much as she likes so I feel horrible. If I feel this bad, I can't imagine how she feels. I have to get her a friend. Soon.

 

[goosiemama]

Hi, did you ever find a friend for your goose? I would love to hear your story if you did or didn't.. My Francie goose has a sister that's a doggie and a pretty kitty too, and for two weeks now she has a duckling. All of them are rescues for one reason or another, and all of them interact with each other just fine. My dear Francis has taken the duckling "under her wing" so to speak, and the duck is really comical. I don't know if you are familiar with the children's book Duck Duck Goose, but the author must have had ducks and geese, cuz the personalities are right on!

 

[ermer124]

Sadly I haven't been able to yet. I want to get her a duckling, but so far I haven't found anywhere that I can get just one. I have to buy at least four or nothing....I'm hoping my local TSC will be selling them again before the end of the summer so I won't have to buy so many.... Unless someone on here has one they're willing to sell me I think TSC is my best bet