geese on a hay bale

Paper Mulberry

I knew very little about what geese did, why they did it, and what they enjoy doing. One of the things they love most is to get up onto higher objects such as hay bales, cinder blocks, etc. I would assume they like these higher places because it means they are sort of in the sky. Like they are flying. The instincts of flying are still somewhat there in these domesticated geese but they cannot go anywhere. Apart from the instincts of being up in the sky, they also just like to have some fun. Most of their fun involves pecking at things and swimming around in the water. They may just stand there on the hay bale or whatever the thing is or they might also be grabbing pieces of hay or pecking at the thing. 

Overall, I think they really like heights. Some of them are not as likely to be up there. Each individual goose has a different personality meaning some are calmer and less excited about adventuring into the heights. Others love to be on high places. Once I had a goose standing on a perch for chickens. Just standing there. She definitely seemed rather relaxed on her high spot, looking down upon the other geese. Maybe they feel like the boss when they are higher up than other geese? It probably makes them feel bigger. Whatever their reasons for ascending into the high places it is fun to see them up there! 

​Some geese will lay eggs on top of the hay bales but I have never had one who only lays in high places. Perhaps some do. If you look at pictures of wild geese in their nests some of them are on top of a giant mound by the water. Others are simply under a tree with a small, simply-made nest. It varies from goose to goose!

The variation from goose to goose is what makes raising a flock so much fun. You never know what you are going to get!