What is adequate food & water

[terri2098]

I have 4 ~4 month old geese. They graze on open pasture & pond almost 12 hours per day. When I put them in their overnight house, I feed them 16 ounces of 22% meat stock crumbles and fresh water (~3 gallons).

1) When I let them out, water is nasty (they can't get in it). Do they need more water? Less water? A special waterer?

2) Should I water down their food? Less food? Different food?

The house (a converted stage 2-playhouse) is on grass which I move around every other day. Should it be on hay or animal bedding?

I know it is a lot of questions bit I want to it right. They talk to me but I don't know what they are telling me to do.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have 4 ~4 month old geese. They graze on open pasture & pond almost 12 hours per day. When I put them in their overnight house, I feed them 16 ounces of 22% meat stock crumbles and fresh water (~3 gallons).

1) When I let them out, water is nasty (they can't get in it). Do they need more water? Less water? A special waterer?

2) Should I water down their food? Less food? Different food?

The house (a converted stage 2-playhouse) is on grass which I move around every other day. Should it be on hay or animal bedding?

I know it is a lot of questions bit I want to it right. They talk to me but I don't know what they are telling me to do.

What are you watering them in? How is the waterer currently situated (elevated, hung, on the floor/ground)?

 

[HeritageGoose13]

In my opinion the best way to do this is...

At night, give them enough food that they can eat to fill themselves. It should only take a few minutes. Don't give them more than that.

Also make sure they have water. It should not be elevated by very much at all. They should have as much water as possible to prevent choking. The nastiness is normal because they are using it not only to drink but to clean out their mouths. They need to do this, so you will just need to give them fresh water every day.

It sounds like you are doing everything right.

 

[terri2098]

I am watering them in a large planter vase on the ground.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am watering them in a large planter vase on the ground.

At 4 months I don't put food and water in my goose house, they eat and drink up until bed time then over night they don't till next morning. I've never had a problem doing this and their house stays drier because of it.

 

[terri2098]

I like that idea. That is 4 months and older, no food/water overnight. Correct?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like that idea. That is 4 months and older, no food/water overnight. Correct?

That is right. My goose house nor duck houses are set up for water or food over night they would have it a wet mess so by 5 weeks mine don't have either inside and have done fine without it

 

[EvenLater]

My goose lives indoors but I do the same thing. He's 11 weeks old. Before bed, I feed him what he can eat in about 10 minutes and let him drink and wash his bill off. Then he's off to bed with no food/water til morning. House stays dry and cleaner this way. Constant food and water means constant eating and pooping! LOL A full crop will tide them over for 6-8 hours so they'll be fine, even if they might complain LOL.