How do you get them to go into shelter?

[The Sheriff]

We got our 2 mini Oregon geese three days ago. I am having trouble getting them to go into their shelter at night. They are too freaked out to be picked up, hissing at us. I have had to put a piece of an open cage over the top of them and then slowly walk them to the entrance and force them in. Today we bought a 5x5 dog kennel and put them in it with an opening to the shelter. They still refused to go in so we had to do it the same way. Will they likely get used to being inside it and go in alone. We have a terrible raccoon problem here and I just can't let them stay out all night. Any suggestions?

Also, what do you feed yours? I bought a 50# bag of waterfowl food that they won't touch. The feed store then recommended a higher protein chicken feed. I just bought a small bag but they seem to like that. I wanted to ask advice before buying more. We made a little pond for them and they love that.

 

[Emzyyy]

We use a broom for the ducks to sort of guide them, and of course plenty of treats.

 

[The Sheriff]

So far treats don't faze them. I'll try the broom. Thanks.

 

[MrsCountryChick]

I got my geese as older hatchlings & always talked to them daily when feeding & watering them or filling their pool (daily they get a fresh filled pool). So even if they've been handled they'll probably still hiss at you until they're used to you (until they accept you as a harmless friend). It may take a little time. Mine chatter to me, softly, (I'm their primary caregiver & take time talking to them, etc daily).... but they still hollar & honk, and at sometimes scream loudly chattering at my Husband & older teenage son who both see them daily. But Mine are in a large chainlink kennel that I move daily in grass eating weather. I worry for their safety, so kenneling is best for us. But even tho it's a Very Large Kennel it's worth all the fuss & hard work to move it as a chicken tractor for them. They have a plastic dog outside dog box for a house & a child's wading pool as a water source (cleaned & filled daily -year round- ).

But for the few times we needed to fix the tarped roofing on the kennel top, I can easily 'herd' them into their house with a stick. Geese are scared easily, so you'll want to move slowly but directly to 'herd' them to where you want them. Hold the stick or broom at an angle while walking toward them. But if you have them in an open area you may need another person (or 2) to help you. & when you get them to their night kennel or pen area have some grain or a treat waiting for them like a peeled banana broken in pieces, a few sliced strawberries, a sliced apple (not the seeds they're poisonous). Mine LOVE fruit. Soon they'll start to associate their penned home with treats. Good Luck! I

Mine!

 

[team guava pastry]

Our little girl can't stand the broom or rake. As soon as she see it, its off to the races you can make her go anywhere you want. Of course you might look like a fool doing it.

My nieghbors are use to my unusual behaviors.

 

[rainplace]

I had/have the same problem with the mini geese I got also. I still have one female that hates going in a night but the other two hop right in there now. What I did is made a corral that goes to the door. Once they get in the corral there isn't anything they can do other than go forward. The female that goes in now at night without the corral was the worst as far as hissing and standing her ground. Sticks and brooms didn't phase her. At one point she rushed me trying to get back out of the corral. I started using the lid from the feed bucket. She hates it. I also make sure that I use the same exact routine every night at bedtime. I go outside and say, "Okay, time for bed," and start clapping my hands. I already have a trained flock so it's not too hard for newcomers to get the hang of it.

I do have the one female who hates to go in there at night and I get frustrated setting up my makeshift corral for a single bird. I think it's because she gets picked on by one of my drakes. A couple of times I've cornered her, carried her inside, and put her in a dog kennel for the evening. The next few nights after that she goes in the night house without fuss.

Anyway, I've always had luck with makeshift corrals and making a bedtime routine.

 

[The Sheriff]

Ok! Thanks for all the help. We will add treats, a broom, and a corral to the routine tonight. This morning they were happy to see me open the gate and Bonnie, of Bonnie and Clyde fame) just barely hissed at me on her way out. Maybe a wading pool inside the enclosure would make it more appealing. I'll look for a small one. They free range during the day on hawk duty for the chickens which, by the way they are excellent at!

Mary

 

[Cottage Rose]

It will take time but train them to herd with a stick
and keep them confined in a pen if you are able
until you have some control over them.
Make sure their wings are clipped.
See my websites raising waterfowl tip page for some
ideas but I would advice daily moving their feed pan
closer and closer to the shelter until they feel comfortable going
around and in it.
If its too small like just a dog coop or whatever its going to be much more difficult
to convince them to go in.
Regarding shelter size...think of geese as small livestock like goats not chickens.
If all else fails you could get some electric poultry netting available via Premier Fencing.

Geese do not need high protein feed. This can cause angel wing.
Try to keep the protein at 16 - 18%.
They are probably use to eating whole grains.
Try some whole oats, mio, barley or whatever you have in CA.
Do not feed corn.
Good luck!