Do geese make good pets? That’s a question that a lot of people seem to be asking lately. And the answer, as with most things, is it depends. Geese can be incredibly friendly and loving animals, but they also have a lot of personalities and can require a fair bit of care. If you’re thinking about adding a goose to your family, here are some things you should know first.
Do Geese Make Good Pets?
Geese are amazing, large, quirky birds that can be a great addition to your flock. However, they are large and can be temperamental so there are pros and cons to owning them! Keep reading to find out five reasons why geese make great pets, and four reasons why owning them may not be for you.
Are you adopting a pet bird for first time? Must read “The Pet Birds – Ultimate Guide To Be a Responsible Bird Owner“.
Pros
First, let’s start with the pros.
Social Animal
Geese are perhaps best known for their distinctive honking call, which they use to communicate with other members of their flock. However, these birds are also highly social animals that enjoy the company of humans.
In fact, geese will often form strong bonds with the people they see on a daily basis, and they have even been known to defend their human companions from predators.
Easy To Train
Geese are often considered to be nuisance animals, but they can actually make excellent pets. For one thing, geese are highly intelligent, and they can be trained to do tricks or even walk on a leash.
Easy for Care
Geese have long been prized for their eggs and meat, but in recent years, they have also become popular as pets. Thanks to their friendly dispositions and gentle nature, geese make excellent companions.
They are relatively low-maintenance creatures and only require a few minutes of care each day.
Learn More: The Essentials of Owning a Bird
Cons
Now let’s look at the cons.
Required big Space
Geese are large birds and require a lot of space. They need a comfortable place to nest and room to roam. A big open space is ideal, but if you don’t have that, you can still provide a good home for geese. Look for a spot that’s away from busy roads and has some grassy areas for the geese to graze.
Make sure there’s access to water, too. Geese are social creatures and do best when they’re part of a flock, so try to provide a home for at least two or three birds.
Aggressive in Threatened
Geese are aggressive when they feel threatened and may bite or attack people or other animals. They are also known to chase and peck at people and animals that come too close to their nests. Geese can be very protective of their young and will often attack anything that they perceive as a threat.
In addition, geese may become aggressive if they are startled or if they feel that their territory is being invaded. If you encounter an aggressive goose, it is important to remain calm and avoid making sudden movements.
Slowly back away from the bird and do not turn your back on it. If the goose continues to approach, you may need to use pepper spray or a stick to defend yourself.
Noisy and Disruptive
Finally, geese can be noisy and disruptive, especially when they honk constantly. This can be a problem for people who live near a park or other body of water where geese tend to congregate. In addition, the droppings of these large birds can create a mess and attract other wildlife, such as rats and mice.
For these reasons, it is important to take steps to keep geese away from your property.
Ultrasonic devices that emit a high-pitched sound are one way to deter geese, as the sound is unpleasant for them but not harmful.
Another option is to use a motion-activated sprinkler system, which will startle the geese when they approach. With a little effort, you can keep your property free of these noisy and disruptive pests.
Overall, geese make great pets for people who have the space and time to care for them properly. However, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re considering adding a goose to your flock, be sure to do your research beforehand to make sure that it’s the right fit for you.
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Do you have a goose as a pet? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!
