moving my baby geese outside and need help.

[sdebolt76]

Ok I am building a large coop, run today. 20x10 shade cloth, cover from rain, and swimming hole. What else do they need? First geese ever my daughter is going to show them for FFA. Do they roost? Do they need to get off the ground ? Should I keep their bin with shavings there for them to sleep in? I want them to be as happy as possible.

 

[sdebolt76]

Oh yeah they are almost two weeks old and just growing like weeds...really have out grown their bin where we have kept them inside.

 

[Goose and Fig]

They don't roost- just need a warm, safe, dry place to sleep at night. I use straw for outside. Do not put water and feed where they are going to sleep. And if you have a pool set up, make sure its not too tall at this point that they would have any trouble getting out of it. They can also drown in buckets. I use the 2 gallon for little geese and put a brick in the bottom, so if anybody does get in they can get back out.

 

[sdebolt76]

I have a small shallow rubber feed bowl, the ones u would use to feed a horse on the ground? I thought it good because it gives them space but when in it they cant swim its not deep enough ...lol they climb in waddle around and sit in it. Of course as they get bigger plans to semi bury a kiddie pool. Also when can i take them off the wet chic starter? Should i be feeding them anything else?

 

[Goose and Fig]

I use those bowls too- they are great!
They don't need wet chick start. It can get moldy if you have it outside when its warm. Give them dry crumbles with a little brewers yeast and access to greens/grass as much as you can every day. We have very little grown here because its still early, so I give mine celery and turnip greens and romaine. Whatever you have- melon rinds are great too.