First pair of Geese

[Leader Bee]

Ahhh right, I was thinking it was like the same sort of thing I spray on my car windscreen when it freezes over, just diluted and added to their regular drinking water - sounds more like some kind of non-chemical deicer that people are talking about then.

 

[CindyinSD]

I wouldn't mess with a de-icer. Geese like to chew, some breeds more than others. If they can get to the power cord they will likely chew it. I'd just give them water in rubber pans and bust the ice out. For just 2 geese, one pan should do fine.

For me, the deicer works great. Mine came with a wire protector already in place on the very well-insulated cord. I run an outdoor extension cord along the top of the run fence, keeping it well out of reach of the geese and ducks... so, it can work as long as you’re not too far from an outlet.

If I were to use a pan (which would work for a pair of geese), I’d want it fairly deep as they need dunking room. In my situation with 4 geese & 3 ducks, I find that they splash the water out of a lesser container very quickly.

 

[CindyinSD]

Couple of questions if I may (i'm getting a pair in spring too, toulouse)

1. What time is bedtime for Geese? I'll be letting them out in a morning to graze but don't want to shut them away too early if they like being out, but obviously i want to make sure they're safe before I go to bed myself.

2. De-Icer in ther water? Great for it not freezing I guess but it seems a bit, well, dangerous to me? Can't argue with people that keep geese already I suppose.

My geese come into the run on their own when it starts getting dark. I don’t make them go into the coop. If it was important to me that they go into the actual coop, or if I had trouble getting them into the run, I would do just as Gray Farms suggests and feed them only in the evening, but I would remove all feed and water from the coop before putting them to bed for the night. It’s so much cleaner that way. I actually prefer their water in the lowest part (if there’s a slope) of the run. That way when I dump the water it doesn’t end up as mud or ice in the run.

The deicer—funny! I should have been more clear. Actually though, there is a possibility of the deicer developing a short and electrifying the water. This isn’t dangerous but it’ll most likely deter the birds from the water. Best test it when you refill if you decide to use one by putting a finger in the water and see if it tingles. If they get buzzed it could be hard to get them to use the water container again.

 

[CindyinSD]

How long would y’all keep them locked up for? The friend I got them from said 2-3 weeks. I’ve had luck keeping chickens in for just 1 day and them going back.

Waterfowl aren’t like chickens. They (or mine, anyway) don’t seem to care much about shelter. They like a bit of a wind break, some cover for the night and they’re good with that. I kept my geese in the run for several weeks along with the ducks, turkeys and roos. The geese and ducks and roos go in of their own accord but I always have to herd in a few of the turkeys. I’d listen to your friend if you have a run for them. If you don’t, I’m not sure you could keep them in much less than a barn for that much time. If no run, you could build one or else you could buy e-netting and an energizer. On the whole, in your situation, I think I’d go with building a run if that’s an option at all. It’s very useful to have a permanent run.

Also the pen theyre in has a feeder full of 16% layer feed and a feeder full of unmediated 18% chick starter is this ok for them?

Males shouldn’t have layer feed, nor should non-laying females. The chick starter is probably okay, but all-flock or waterfowl feed would be better in the long run. You can offer oyster shells on the side during breeding season. If you want fertile eggs, giving them a pond deep enough to float in (both at once) can help. Only the really heavy breeds actually need it, but fertility is better for many breeds if they can go swimming together.