Getting home after dark? Putting them up?

[chickenslithers]

I'm planning to add some geese at home as free-range backyard fowl. It'll be a small flock, 2 or 3 parents and ideally a few youngsters for meat each season.

I'm wondering what you guys do when you don't get home before sunset.

The area where the goose shed will more than likely be isn't going to have lighting. I'm just wondering what it's been like, in your experience, getting them safely locked up especially during winter when it gets dark so early.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

You might consider a large chicken tractor. That way, you can keep them cooped up, but they still get to forage, and you could move every day. I've always wanted geese, but am not allowed too, because someone has bad memories of geese attacking, and biting them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My geese herd real well. Start them off when very young slowly walking behind them using your arms as guides that way when they are grown they will know the drill. I'd also install motion lights for protection because if you can't lock them up till after dark they will be subject to predation. Or dawn to dusk lights at least that way maybe the preds wouldn't be as brave. Geese have no protection from any predator that has teeth.

 

[Gray Farms]

Feed them only in the evening when you get home, in their coop/pen. They will train themselves to go inside in the evening to await their feed. After just a week or so they will be in their pen waiting on you when you get home.

 

[Percheron chick]

I give myself mine lettuce at night to get them in the pen. They will do anything for a head of romaine.