New to geese, can I help them love me?

[Bluebellhoney]

So we picked up 4 Sebastopol geese a few days ago. The lady I got them from says they hatched sometime in October.
They were living in a big field (penned are night) with their parents and aunts, and haven’t been handled much. I imagine it has been quite traumatic for them being taken away from the family group- we had all except one of the goslings, the last one couldn’t be caught.
We have them in an 8m x 3m pen with a paddling pool at the moment, within the same barn as the chickens but seperate from them.
I would like to do my best to help them trust me, does anyone have any tips?
So far I am taking a lettuce in and then sitting in the pen for a good while each day. They won’t come and eat it while I am there yet. Initially they huddled in the furthest corner staying as still as possible the entire time. Now they still stay well away but have relaxed a little, preening and cleaning themselves while I am there. The moment I move they are terrified again, and they won’t go near the lettuce until I am out of sight.
Today they got in the pool while I was there, and gave themselves a wash, but they were too scared to come out again, and if I move towards them all hell breaks loose!

 

[nuthatched]

If like you said they were raised almost feral, it could take weeks if not months for them to get used to you and trust you. Then comes going to you.
Just be quiet and gentle and talk to them, talk to them while feeding.

 

[Goosebaby]

So we picked up 4 Sebastopol geese a few days ago. The lady I got them from says they hatched sometime in October.
They were living in a big field (penned are night) with their parents and aunts, and haven’t been handled much. I imagine it has been quite traumatic for them being taken away from the family group- we had all except one of the goslings, the last one couldn’t be caught.
We have them in an 8m x 3m pen with a paddling pool at the moment, within the same barn as the chickens but seperate from them.
I would like to do my best to help them trust me, does anyone have any tips?
So far I am taking a lettuce in and then sitting in the pen for a good while each day. They won’t come and eat it while I am there yet. Initially they huddled in the furthest corner staying as still as possible the entire time. Now they still stay well away but have relaxed a little, preening and cleaning themselves while I am there. The moment I move they are terrified again, and they won’t go near the lettuce until I am out of sight.
Today they got in the pool while I was there, and gave themselves a wash, but they were too scared to come out again, and if I move towards them all hell breaks loose!

You’re instincts are right, you’re doing everything right, just keep doing what you’re doing, just give it time. They’re already showing progress from what you described so that’s excellent.

 

[Bluebellhoney]

Thank you, yes I assumed it would be a long haul, I will keep going with my plan then!

 

[Callender Girl]

My geese are American Buffs, but I've always thought Sebastopols were beautiful, and yours certainly are.

It does sound like you are on the right track. There is nothing mine love more than food, and I bet once yours realize you are a human vending machine, they will learn to appreciate you endlessly.

 

[JRies]

Just a little thing to keep in mind pecking order if very important and you want to be the one to lead flock in the end. So respect is almost as important to the goose. while your taming them and gaining trust teach them a few words Birds are pretty smart. If one is a gander or a goose that seems to play boss take some separate time with him lets call it time out or one on one talk time. When the others see you have control over him you will start with the first level of respect and some of there fear will go away..

 

[Bluebellhoney]

Just a little thing to keep in mind pecking order if very important and you want to be the one to lead flock in the end. So respect is almost as important to the goose. while your taming them and gaining trust teach them a few words Birds are pretty smart. If one is a gander or a goose that seems to play boss take some separate time with him lets call it time out or one on one talk time. When the others see you have control over him you will start with the first level of respect and some of there fear will go away..

Thank you that makes sense

 

[The goose girl]

As nuthatched says, talk to them. Geese get uncomfortable when you don't make noise or sit too still - I guess they feel you're lurking or trying to sneak up on them. No sudden or fast moves, announce verbally whenever you're about to approach them, get up, or shift positions. Doing something that makes you stay put but in motion, like weeding or knitting, is also a good idea.

 

[Bluebellhoney]

As nuthatched says, talk to them. Geese get uncomfortable when you don't make noise or sit too still - I guess they feel you're lurking or trying to sneak up on them. No sudden or fast moves, announce verbally whenever you're about to approach them, get up, or shift positions. Doing something that makes you stay put but in motion, like weeding or knitting, is also a good idea.

Oh Okay! That’s interesting. I sat in their pen reading for an hour the last two days, I’m not sure that’s enough movement really... They now will come and eat the lettuce about 3 feet away.
I always greet them noisily and talk to them, I will remember to tell them I am about to move too, thank you.
Im just outsidethe pen now and they have got out of the pool and are happily cleaning themselves so I think they are feeling more confident about me being around.

 

[Goosebaby]

Oh Okay! That’s interesting. I sat in their pen reading for an hour the last two days, I’m not sure that’s enough movement really... They now will come and eat the lettuce about 3 feet away.
I always greet them noisily and talk to them, I will remember to tell them I am about to move too, thank you.
Im just outsidethe pen now and they have got out of the pool and are happily cleaning themselves so I think they are feeling more confident about me being around.

Your well on the way to becoming one of the flock!