Geese are often considered nasty, dangerous, and scary. But this isn't always true at all.

There are cycles geese go through in life that can cause them to become more territorial or protective for a term, but they are actually really great pets and animals, so if you have been on the fence and trying to decide if you should adorn your property with a gorgeous gaggle of geese - read on.

Geese are actually fiercely protective of their homes, other pets around them, and even you, which is where they tend to get a reputation for being a little on the defensive sometimes.

As geese mature they act like guard dogs, alerting you when someone has arrived at your property, they honk and hiss in a way that would normally alert their gaggle to a potential threat, and then attempt to scare it away.

Like most animals, unless they are approached during this display, they won't generally attack out of nowhere..

Geese are also relatively low-maintenance, which makes them not only a cool and loyal bird, but also easier to care for.

The main things you will need are secure fencing, nesting areas, a water source big enough for them to get in to (I use a shell pool which I refresh weekly for one bird), a grassed area, as this is their main food source, and you need to be prepared for the fact that geese can live for as long as 15-20 years and are a long-term addition to the family.

In fact, geese are great at keeping your grass short and weeds at bay - so they are great gardeners too. Remember of course, the buy product of munching on your high-quality grass is not a great look, so make sure you don't let them onto the croquet lawn!

If you especially want a tame goose and not just a backyard protector, it's best to purchase them young and hand raise them with a lot of human interaction and attention.

If you live in a more residential area you will need to check local council guidelines to make sure it is legal to keep one in your yard depending on where you live in the Highlands.

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