Raising domestic geese: Imprinting

Listen to this radio story about domestic geese (MP3 download)

Even though they do have a bit of a temper, geese can make a welcome addition to any country acreage. They keep your grass trimmed and serve as an excellent form of insect control. Goslings are also quite fun to watch, especially when they've mistaken you for their mother. Also known as imprinting, this is the process that causes the newly hatched bird to become rapidly and strongly attached to a parent or parental surrogate. Imprinting is instinctual behavior for geese and other precocial birds. It is thought that imprinting can only occur during the short time following a gosling's birth.

Radio interview source: Bobbie Drye, "Mother Goose"

For additional information, we recommend the following resources:

Raising Geese: Basic information for those who wish to begin raising geese.

Animal Behavior: An overview of the essential logic behind common domestic animal behavior traits, including imprinting.

Understanding the Behavior of Domestic Geese: Gain valuable insight into the actions of young goslings.

Photo: Oklahoma State University