New to geese question.

[Rick5070]

So the wife and I have 2 goslings that we are temporarily housing in a chicken run for a few days. We are looking and giving them new digs and are thinking that a dog run would do the trick for us. So our question is on the dog run do we need to have a chain link top on it or would shade screen work just fine?

 

[kandyg_99]

It should work as long as nothing can get in to get your babies I would go for the chain link top ,I would make it very preditor proof Top,Bottom & Sides....So Nothing Can Get in & your babies can't get out....

 

[Rick5070]

For the time being since the babies are so young I am going to use some of the thick bamboo laid across the top on of the shade material. I have a LOT of bamboo so I can use it until I decide that I need to do something a little more secure.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

Although I admit I used a dog kennel for my geese, I would not recommend it. They can get their heads through the openings. My gander would stick his head out when threatened. That would make them an easy target for a racoon. I ended up putting a smaller gauge wire over the chain link. I just have shade cloth over the pen, but I don't have racoons. I don't know what part of the country you are in, but you may be able to lock them up in a goose house at night. Here in Florida, my geese need very little shelter, and it has to have great ventilation. My geese spend all day free ranging in the yard.

If you are planning to keep them penned all the time, make sure whatever you use is portable. Geese will eat all the grass inside a dog kennel in one day.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

KandyG is right, you def want to try to make it as predator proof as possible. After reading some of the posts by people who lose their goslings (and even older geese!) to different kinds of predators, it gives you something to think about. Especially since its so easy to get attached to the little guys.
I notice your status is a "New Egg", welcome! You'll learn a lot by reading some of the past threads on the Goose Forum, this place is very helpful.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Dog kennels are FINE, as long as you use a strong gauge wire top (you can put the shade cloth over the wire) buy hardware cloth and attach it to the inside of the chain link. Use what is called hog clips ( C shaped wire with pliers) to attach it coming up approx 3' high from the ground up. This stops heads going out and arms of raccoons coming in. Place their shelter inside the pen and lock the, up each night for their safety.