How many never lock their geese up at night?

[Country Parson]

OK, I'm looking at rearranging my poultry pen set-up and am considering just having a large run (no building/pen) for my geese at night. I would have a large calf-hut for them to go into (imaging an oversized dog house), but there is no door.

Am I setting myself up for danger? I have a broody goose, and having her in with all the other poultry in the hen house is becoming problematic.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

We're not locking ours up at night but its because our Great Pyrenees sleeps with them. They have 6ft high fences surrounding their pen and a127 lb dog with them. Nothings bothering them!

Laurie

 

[Shiloh Acres]

I once lived in a place where I had a large fenced area and coops for ducks, geese, and chickens, but after several years with ZERO predators except hawks who sought out chicks, and cats who were always faced off and scared away, I stopped locking any of them up. Everyone was fine (unless you count the fact that my banties very nearly established a feral chicken colony).

Where I live now, there is a very aggressive coyote population, feral cats that hunt in cooperating groups of 2 or 3, and who knows what else. I lost a number of free-ranging chickens during the day, and two milking goats out of a locked barn at night (coyotes).

I lock up my geese EVERY night, except the trio that nested on what is essentially my back porch, and I used to lock them in the porch at night although now they are allowed a small fenced run along the back of the house. They are never more than ten feet from the house, and the llama is outside their pen.

It depends on your predators. If I had coyotes or wild dogs, or foxes, I would definitely lock them up. Raccoons can take a goose too. A single dog may well be frightened away from a flock of geese in defensive mode, but just a few coyotes could easily wipe them out.

It also depends on the security around them. If a big dog ranges around their yard and can protect them, or if you have a good hot-wire system, you might be fine.

Myself, I always tend to err on the side of caution in most decisions.

 

[The goose girl]

My goose is not locked up at night, neither were the previous geese I owned. He just runs around in the yard. He built himself a den beneath my lawn furniture.

My neighbor told me he'd seen a fox several times last year just a few feet from my yard. So I actually don't think it's a good idea not to lock him up, but I've tried and he really, really hates it. Only once or twice a month does he want to stay inside. I'm weighing his desire to stay out against my duty to protect him - so far his desire has won.

The breeder I got him from told me that his neighbor used to let his large flock of geese stay out at night. It went well for five years, then a fox came one night and killed seven of them. Now he locks them up at night.

Foxes are the only threat around these parts.

 

[pete55]

Here in the UK foxes are a problem. We wouldnt dare leave our geese out at night but have to get up early in the lighter mornings as they make such a noise to be out at sunrise! Just couldnt stand the thought of finding them killed by a fox.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine are never penned and lately have been spending their evenings on our pond. This winter they just slept in the front yard or in the barn if it was snowing. The only birds I've lost have been broody ducks and guineas with hidden nests, I've not lost any geese in over a year. But we have 'guard dogs' loose all the time so maybe that helps.

 

[mominoz]

I "used to not lock up" years ago , my first geese, had double fencing 4 foot.But it was rural near edge of suburbs, where possums and raccoons dwell (Raccoon Creek, should have given it away). I lost my geese gradually, finally caught as they injured the last one, two large raccoons working together..... I lock up now as I live next to hay fields and National Forest. I also hot wire top and bottom day yard and night pen. NO loses in 2+ years of geese or ducks.I free range in 4 foot fenced acre+ daytime. I also have 4 dogs nearby in their own yard.
Depends on if you want extra time & less work, or 99.5% safe geese....

 

[bel]

All it takes is a roaming dog slipping in, or worse a group of dogs. I lock my birds up at night.

Maybe you could find a way to add a door to the calf hutch?

 

[MothersEarth]

My geese free ranged at night, and just hung out near the porch to sleep. Until I lost Mama goose to a cougar out of my yard in full daylight, with the dog out and about. Now I secure pen when I'm not outside to work, and though gander has lock down bunker for night, he's lodging fully secured on back porch as his preference and until I'm sure that cat moved on. My half-grown pair freaked out and chased a bear out of the squash patch. He avoids the yard like plague. But cougars can't be managed or intimidated same. May end up with another pretty hide on the wall if necessary. I will not lose another goose..

 

[JRies]

My geese free ranged at night, and just hung out near the porch to sleep. Until I lost Mama goose to a cougar out of my yard in full daylight, with the dog out and about. Now I secure pen when I'm not outside to work, and though gander has lock down bunker for night, he's lodging fully secured on back porch as his preference and until I'm sure that cat moved on. My half-grown pair freaked out and chased a bear out of the squash patch. He avoids the yard like plague. But cougars can't be managed or intimidated same. May end up with another pretty hide on the wall if necessary. I will not lose another goose..

Well said. I live in a area where penning is important. Yes geese do a good job at alert they have no defenses against a prowler.