I find the phenomenon of imprinting absolutely fascinating and it was one of the things that got me interested in acquiring some geese in the first place. Apparently, birds imprint on humans and other species more readily than any other kind of animal, with geese being the most ‘imprintable’.
Basically, imprinting occurs when the newborn gosling knows itself to be of the same species as the first creature it encounters. Obviously, this is usually the mother goose but if the newborn is adopted by a human soon after hatching, or else is found abandoned, it will attach itself to the adopter with incredible tenacity. The article below describes imprinting in more detail.
http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html
When I first heard about imprinting and geese, I desperately wanted to do it (a lonely moment of madness perhaps?) and, yes, it certainly did happen with all of the goslings, even when we purchased them at a week old. For example, Pearl, Woodroffe and Diamond (our Sebastopol goslings), and Ola and Seli (our Pilgrim goslings) were, from the very beginning, very pattable, pick-up-able and needy of my presence in their lives.
They’re a little big now to pick up but they still follow me everywhere. The imprinting thing didn’t happen with Godfrey, the godfather of gandersom, because we got him at two years of age. He only follows me when he wants to get a bite out of my leg!
I love it!
jmgoyder 
I first learned about imprinting when I watched ‘I’ll Fly Away,’ that movie about a girl who adopts geese. Wonderful film.
Never heard of it – will look it up – thanks!
You’ll love it.
Fascinating stuff – this imprinting.
I can just picture you now……………..walking around the paddocks and back yard with 10 fully grown emus, 9 ducks, 8 Sebastopols, 7 pilgrims, 6 cockatoos, 5 cockatiels, 4 turtle doves, 3 peacocks, 2 black swans and……………….a fully grown Son (who’s trying to get your attention before you disappear over the horizon).
You are a poet!
Fascinating, Julie
Also quite weird – I mean, why geese?
While I was driving home 2 nights ago in the pouring rain, I found a newborn gosling in the middle of the road. When I ran and picked him up i looked around for any others or even the mother and it turned out he had been separated. I went to a local feeds store and picked up starting feed. So far, he’s been eating very well and is really happy. He has been following me around at my very heels and hates to be separated from me. So, I’ve had to sleep with every night. I’m assuming he’s imprinted on me and it’s the cutest thing. This morning i didn’t shut my bedroom door all the way and he ended up in my bathroom while i was taking a shower and i ended up putting him in with me. He loved it!!! again, he remained at my feet. I’m only 19 and a freshman in college, thankfully, living on my own in my apartment. I purchased diapers for him so I’m curious to see how that turns out. My concerns are him maturing and learning to fly. I would be so heart broken if he flew away south in the winter and never returned. If you could let me know what else i can do to raise him and what to expect when he matures. Thanks, Ashley!
This is a real dilemma for you because it sounds like he is definitely imprinted on you however he would probably be better with other goslings even though this would be hard for you. He will indeed get big and want to fly and to mate etc. I am hoping others may have advice so would it be okay if I copy/pasted your comment for my next post?
Yeah, i’m sure it will be hard. I have noticed his eye wound getting worse. He keeps scratching at it causing irritation. I have been cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide every few hours. Is there an ointment i can use? and yes you can repost my comment.
Heaps of people have put advice on my blog so please check it out. It sounds like you should take him/her to a vet? Let me know how it goes.