Stray Geese

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I won't be able to cover that area, though. Do you think the Coopers hawks will be a major threat? I can give them a shelterand other things to run under for cover.

Hawks have not bothered my geese. I had a hawk kill a muscovy duck once but it could not take it. Geese are generally too big for many predators to mess with although it can happen. It's always best to provide some place for them to get out of the sun if they wish, so that should technically work as hawk cover.

 

[Isadora]

Hawks have not bothered my geese. I had a hawk kill a muscovy duck once but it could not take it. Geese are generally too big for many predators to mess with although it can happen. It's always best to provide some place for them to get out of the sun if they wish, so that should technically work as hawk cover.

X2

One time my geese all charged at a hawk that tried to snag one of my ducks. They had a baby at the time so they were very protective. Neat to see.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thelma and Louise are joining us next week! I'm preparing a section of the goat pasture for them so that they'll be protected by the goats' electric fencing and be away from the ducks and chickens (although I'd love to integrate them with the ducks at some point so they can all share a really big pool).

ALSO - The gander in the pic might be up for adoption. Thelma and Louise are being fostered at a local farm, and the gander has taken to them. I am not super keen on taking the gander because then I can't keep them with my ducks. But I HATE the idea of separating them. I think the gander is the only goose there. Poor fella.

So... what size house will the 2 geese need? What size if I add in the gander?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Update:

Looks like I'm getting all three. Holy moly! Not what I expected, but here I am.

I have a large dog house I bought off Marketplace, but I got it when I was only expecting to get 2 geese. The dog house is 4' x 4'. It is too short at only 3' tall, but I can easily extend the height. I have every intention of building something better later when the weather is better,but will this work for now? Breeding season is coming up, yes? This makes me a tad nervous.

My plan is to section off a part of the goat pasture for them so that they have room, are separated from the ducks and chickens, and they are surrounded by electric fencing. I will keep them in that area for a couple of weeks and then let them loose in the goat pasture. The goats have about 1/2 acre and we rotated seasonally. I plan to offer the geese pellets in the morning and at night, but pick up any pellets and open their gate into the pasture so the goats don't eat all their feed.

Help me out. Am I on the right path here?

Thanks, everyone! These geese need a new home asap. I'm working as fast as I can to make it happen!

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Update:

Looks like I'm getting all three. Holy moly! Not what I expected, but here I am.

I have a large dog house I bought off Marketplace, but I got it when I was only expecting to get 2 geese. The dog house is 4' x 4'. It is too short at only 3' tall, but I can easily extend the height. I have every intention of building something better later when the weather is better,but will this work for now? Breeding season is coming up, yes? This makes me a tad nervous.

My plan is to section off a part of the goat pasture for them so that they have room, are separated from the ducks and chickens, and they are surrounded by electric fencing. I will keep them in that area for a couple of weeks and then let them loose in the goat pasture. The goats have about 1/2 acre and we rotated seasonally. I plan to offer the geese pellets in the morning and at night, but pick up any pellets and open their gate into the pasture so the goats don't eat all their feed.

Help me out. Am I on the right path here?

Thanks, everyone! These geese need a new home asap. I'm working as fast as I can to make it happen!

Congrats on the 3 new additions
Have you thought of a name for the gander yet ? I love the girls names
I’m not much help as I don’t have geese but I did have 3 ducks in a 4x4 house I built and they had plenty of room. I know geese are larger but I think they would fit as this is only temporary till things warm up
Plus they will be out all day
Good luck and make sure to post pictures

 

[Aunt Angus]

Congrats on the 3 new additions
Have you thought of a name for the gander yet ? I love the girls names
I’m not much help as I don’t have geese but I did have 3 ducks in a 4x4 house I built and they had plenty of room. I know geese are larger but I think they would fit as this is only temporary till things warm up
Plus they will be out all day
Good luck and make sure to post pictures

I'm thinking he'll be Sawyer or Hal. Thought I'd stick with the theme.


The gals are already named by the rescuer. For all I know, the gander has a name, too. We'll see.

 

[Percheron chick]

A large dog house is enough for 3 geese and 3' is plenty tall. When I've set up small pens for geese, I give them an XL dogloo in a 10x10 chain link pen. They will only use the dog house to lay and sit. They are quite content to sleep out under the stars. They don't mind the rain and snow. In the weather we all had 2 weeks ago, I gave them straw to sleep on out in the pen and they chose that over the dogloos. They will use their loafing shed when the snow gets too deep for them to get around in.
I only offer feed in the evening to get them back into their pen. They have hay available 24/7 this time of year as there is nothing for them to graze on. Geese can easily crawl through fence panels keeping those pesky goats out while still being able to come and go. I use a lot of cattle panels around the property. My geese kept getting stuck in one corner trying to get back home at night. Solved the problem by cutting out 2x2 square, 10"x10" opening, that they can duck through. Again should keep the goats out.

 

[Aunt Angus]

A large dog house is enough for 3 geese and 3' is plenty tall. When I've set up small pens for geese, I give them an XL dogloo in a 10x10 chain link pen. They will only use the dog house to lay and sit. They are quite content to sleep out under the stars. They don't mind the rain and snow. In the weather we all had 2 weeks ago, I gave them straw to sleep on out in the pen and they chose that over the dogloos. They will use their loafing shed when the snow gets too deep for them to get around in.
I only offer feed in the evening to get them back into their pen. They have hay available 24/7 this time of year as there is nothing for them to graze on. Geese can easily crawl through fence panels keeping those pesky goats out while still being able to come and go. I use a lot of cattle panels around the property. My geese kept getting stuck in one corner trying to get back home at night. Solved the problem by cutting out 2x2 square, 10"x10" opening, that they can duck through. Again should keep the goats out.

Perfect! Just the info I needed! Thank you!

There is a ton of info about these things out there for chickens and ducks. Not so much for geese. I feel MUCH more confident now. And that tip about the cattle panels is fantastic! We still have some grass, but the geese are welcome to eat all the wasted hay the goats have strewn about.

 

[JRies]

Update:

Looks like I'm getting all three. Holy moly! Not what I expected, but here I am.

I have a large dog house I bought off Marketplace, but I got it when I was only expecting to get 2 geese. The dog house is 4' x 4'. It is too short at only 3' tall, but I can easily extend the height. I have every intention of building something better later when the weather is better,but will this work for now? Breeding season is coming up, yes? This makes me a tad nervous.

My plan is to section off a part of the goat pasture for them so that they have room, are separated from the ducks and chickens, and they are surrounded by electric fencing. I will keep them in that area for a couple of weeks and then let them loose in the goat pasture. The goats have about 1/2 acre and we rotated seasonally. I plan to offer the geese pellets in the morning and at night, but pick up any pellets and open their gate into the pasture so the goats don't eat all their feed.

Help me out. Am I on the right path here?

Thanks, everyone! These geese need a new home asap. I'm working as fast as I can to make it happen!

The geese will let you know what works and ignore what dose not. My bet is you will watch learn and adjust. Biggest thing in the beginning is to keep them home till they know its home. I only raise geese and runner ducks. They have thought me what they needed and when. You will be fine they will be fine you have a great heart and they will know that. By the way 3 foot works as a nesting area for my girls.

 

[Aunt Angus]

The geese will let you know what works and ignore what dose not. My bet is you will watch learn and adjust. Biggest thing in the beginning is to keep them home till they know its home. I only raise geese and runner ducks. They have thought me what they needed and when. You will be fine they will be fine you have a great heart and they will know that. By the way 3 foot works as a nesting area for my girls.

Thank you so much! This is so helpful.