I would like to hear your guys and gals experiances with differant things for pools for your geese. Kiddy pools, livestock tubs, pondliners, concrete? Pros and cons plz. Matt
I recommend a kiddie pool. It's easy to empty and clean, and that is important. Geese poop happily in their bath water, and it quickly turns very nasty and smelly. They get very excited when I get them fresh water for the pool; jumping up and down, flapping their wings and running around like crazy while honking at the top of their lungs.
I use a kiddie pool for mine, just have to empty it and put in fresh water every day. But I am looking to go to a stock tank as soon as I figure out how to vac up the muck in a 200+ gallon tank.
i like kiddie pools because its because they are cheap and easy to dump and refill. i use the small version because it has low walls so that my goose was use it when she was a gosling and i dont have to worry about one of my hens falling in and not being able to get out
Kiddie pool here too. Started out with a 45" diameter pool and moved quickly to a 60" one for 4 toulouse. I placed a thick paver stone next to it to help them climb in to start them off, but they no longer need it. As others have said, they are inexpensive and easy to empty and clean.
I use black tubs that are used for mixing concrete. They come in two sizes. I put 3 or 4 around the yard, and they are very durable and can be used in he winter, they don't crack.
I have put out my livestock tub (rubbermaid) but its too tall for my 4 weeks olds. I built a ramp but only two have figured it out. It has a drain in the bottom. My problem is I have a steep grade to most of my goose yard so I guess it will have to be moved to the bottom of the hill to keep it level. Very far from the water hose. but do you guys find that it helps with fertility and cleanliness? or is it more for "happiness"?
Quote:Reading the reviews on these while researching myself....I've learned they double as great sleds! One man stated that the ribs on the bottom help them go faster and it's large enough that he can climb in with his kids and go down the hill too! Anyway; we chose the larger tub and am putting a drain hole with valve on the bottom today. She's already standing in it....waiting. Geese are so awesome.
I use this for my dogs. It is made of heavy duty plastic and has a drain for easier cleaning. There are several different styles ~ this one has a hose hookup for a fountain and a slide. It is a Lil Tykes Step2 pool and is no longer made but they are still available used - look on Craig's List. I found mine at a yard sale for $10.
I got a "pond" on sale , we dug a hole on a hillside, cut a hold and put a shower drain in and glued it. We put 2" drain on it and a ballcok at the end. It works even in winter (ga.) I just put straw bales over the drain that sticks out . It was some work digging the 12 feet of drain on the hill. I can just turn the ballcock to drain, but I do have to hose it down and sometimes unclog the drain from sticks they drop in LOL--- I had to put a screen over the drain!-- I think the mini pools are easier--I b ought pans at Home depot (concrete mixing pans) and a larger one at Tractor Supply. The geese don't seem to care, they use either.
