Goose shed feedback?

Eggnonymous

Chirping
15 Years
Aug 17, 2009
85
7
99
Carroll County, GA
Okay, I looked back and some of you said your geese that "free range" hang out in your other animals' sheds. Well, I plan to let ours share the pasture with our goats and donkey, but the "bunkhouse" is maxed-out as it is (really gotta remodel that one). I am thinking of building a shed for the geese like a large 3-sided dog house in a spot that the goats and donkey can't get to inside the goats' haven area (everybody needs a spot at feeding time ya know!).

I have some left over siding and am thinking a 4 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep with 3 sides, open side south-facing and a shed roof. Does that sound big enough for 3? Someone mentioned a slatted floor. Was that a floor made of something like 2x2s w/1/4 in spacing or a piece of marine plywood with slits sawed through it? Someone else said theirs just nested on the ground w/shavings or straw. Is a floor better or if I site the shed on a high spot should that be sufficient?

I know this is all seems premature since they haven't even shipped yet, but since my projects always seem to take forever I think I'd better get a plan - now!
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Mine live in a horse stall in my barn. I put wood shavings on the floor, rake frequently and add some Sweet PDZ. I have to shovel it all out frequently because they make a big poopy mess.
I'd suggest setting the water and food up on cement slabs (the small ones you can buy at the home improvement store). This seems to help keep the wetness down.
I wouldn't recommend wood slats. they could get slippery. I had a goose slip in mud, outside, last spring and he was crippled for two months. I had to carry him aroud. Finally, took him to the vet who said he has a soft tiissue injury and had developed arthritis in the knee of the opposite leg from trying to limp around. It was very expensive, I was glad I took him, but would rather see you avoid it.
 
I built a 3 foot X 4 foot replica barn with a 3X3 awning for ours. They only go in it to nest. Other than that they prefer to be outside snuggled down under a tree, or just on the snow.
 
I used scavenged plywood and 2x4s to build a shack for them, it had a door to keep predators out. The door was hardwear cloth and there was a hardwear cloth window in back so it had good ventilation (important to have ventilation, they may go to bed wet, and they poop a lot). The geese would be herded in at night, then they just started going in on their own when it was dark, I would shut their door and the chicken coop and then let everyone out in the morning. The shack was about 4x5 and the trio was fine with it, they still use it up at the ranch now.

I'm getting a pair of cotton patch so its going to be time to build another one soon.
 
Two feet deep sounds shallow for geese if you're wanting them to use it?

You're not going to shut them in though? They will likely nest wherever they want. I have my FIRST GOOSE EVER actually building her nest INSIDE the night coop this year, LOL.

Predators are the main reason to lock them up. If you're going to leave them loose (and I did when mine were safe) be sure nothing will come after them.

I prefer a dirt floor on higher ground with no rain sloping toward them, and build that up further. I don't put water inside the coop (or feed -- you can't feed with no water available) and it's just for nighttime, and that has worked fine. No need to clean mine out either, but I have been adding dry layers in really nasty weather.

And I pasture mine with goats, but had to put them separate during the breeding season. The geese started attacking the goats and I didn't want anyone getting hurt. I can't even let the llama in their yard when they are loose, so they might attack your donkey too. Sooner or later the larger animals might get tired of being attacked and trample the geese.

Hehe, and I had to laugh. You actually have a place your geese can enter freely and NOT your goats? I don't have that luxury myself. Only closed gates stop my goats.
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My geese graze with the sheep and all do fine, but I did make a little goose shelter for really bad weather, food, and nesting. They mostly sleep out, but do appreciate the cover when we have snow and very windy weather.

I've got a concrete base (left over from another project) that I layer with straw, then hose out now and again in good weather. I don't keep their water buckets in there, but just outside. I do have a place for feed, but they mostly only snack on that in mid winter.

One thing, I was surprised how small the "doorway" had to be - those sheep can squeeeeeze though just about anything if corn is on the other side!
 
Our goose coop is 6' x 8' by 6 feet tall; they can move around and even flap their wings if they want. Also, I opted for the off ground wood floor approach (with a ramp). Changing out the pine shavings/straw when needed. Don't have to often as food and water is offered outside.

Two windows and side roof vents covered with hardware cloth.

Lots of critters here that would love goosey dinner; especially that bear. Saw where he was scratching the back corner last week sometime, even bit the plywood...luckily the coop is solid.
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