Not as friendly anymore!

[Island Girl]

My sweet and cheeky goose, Pooper, used to be super friendly and loved getting scratched, rubbed and would nuzzle up to you like a dog. Just a sweetheart. Now that she finished laying eggs, her behaviour has really changed. She doesn’t like to be touched or scratched anymore and doesn’t play in her pool either. She’s way better with the chickens though! Can anyone possibly answer or give some insight to this change?

 

[GranderTheGander]

Maybe she realizes now she is a goose, not a person. Maybe laying eggs kicked in her goose instincts, giving her hope of having other geese, particularly goslings, around soon. Chickens are smaller birds like goslings. It sounds like she is your only goose, though, and the eggs aren't fertile. If so, maybe you should get a gander or another goose. Have no guesses whatsoever about the pool aversion, though. She shows no signs of being egg bound or calcium deficient or anything else, right?

 

[BlueBaby]

Maybe she think's that she's a chicken, and chicken's don't normally swim?

 

[GranderTheGander]

Maybe she think's that she's a chicken, and chicken's don't normally swim?

I never thought of that! L L

 

[Goosebaby]

I’m guessing she just stopped laying and she’s started or is currently molting?

When birds are molting they’re really uncomfortable, their pin feathers are sensitive and being touched isn’t something that’s enjoyable. They’re also very tired because it takes a lot of energy and nutrients to grow a whole new set of feathers.
Just give her time, spend time with her and give her lots of treats, she may be back to her old self once she feels like her old self again.

Sometimes geese do change, especially if she’s a younger bird, some just grow out of liking to snuggle like they did as a juvenile, kinda like people do, it’s not necesarily a sign she doesn’t like you, just that she’s more mature.

 

[Island Girl]

Maybe she realizes now she is a goose, not a person. Maybe laying eggs kicked in her goose instincts, giving her hope of having other geese, particularly goslings, around soon. Chickens are smaller birds like goslings. It sounds like she is your only goose, though, and the eggs aren't fertile. If so, maybe you should get a gander or another goose. Have no guesses whatsoever about the pool aversion, though. She shows no signs of being egg bound or calcium deficient or anything else, right?

No issues with eggs. She’s growing new feathers in now, maybe that’s why she hasn’t been in the water? Too cold? Anyhoo, thanks for the feedback!

 

[Island Girl]

I’m guessing she just stopped laying and she’s started or is currently molting?

When birds are molting they’re really uncomfortable, their pin feathers are sensitive and being touched isn’t something that’s enjoyable. They’re also very tired because it takes a lot of energy and nutrients to grow a whole new set of feathers.
Just give her time, spend time with her and give her lots of treats, she may be back to her old self once she feels like her old self again.

Sometimes geese do change, especially if she’s a younger bird, some just grow out of liking to snuggle like they did as a juvenile, kinda like people do, it’s not necesarily a sign she doesn’t like you, just that she’s more mature.

Thank you for your feedback! She’s currently growing her new feathers right now. I never thought about the sensitivity of it. She’s still a lovely girl regardless!