Geese are raised for various purposes, including meat, eggs, weed control, and as vigilant guard animals, requiring specific care from their early gosling stage through adulthood to ensure their health and well-being. Their upbringing focuses on providing appropriate nutrition, secure housing, ample water, and protection from predators.
Raising geese can be a rewarding endeavor for farmers and homesteaders alike. Understanding their unique needs is key to a successful flock.
Getting Started: From Gosling to Adult
The journey of raising geese begins with goslings, which grow remarkably quickly. Proper care during their initial weeks is crucial for a strong start.
Brooding Goslings
Young goslings require a controlled environment to thrive, similar to chicks but with some distinct differences.
- Temperature: Start with a brooder temperature of around 90-95°F (32-35°C) for the first week, gradually reducing it by 5°F (3°C) each week until they are fully feathered (around 4-6 weeks old) and can regulate their own body temperature.
- Brooder Setup:
- Bedding: Use absorbent bedding like pine shavings or straw. Avoid slippery surfaces, which can lead to leg problems.
- Feeder: Provide a shallow feeder specifically designed for waterfowl or elevated slightly to prevent contamination.
- Waterer: Essential for goslings to drink and clean their nostrils. Ensure it's deep enough for them to dip their entire bill but not so deep that they can drown. Marbles or small stones in the waterer can prevent accidental drowning for very young goslings.
- Nutrition: Offer an unmedicated waterfowl starter feed, typically with 20-22% protein. Avoid medicated chick starters, as the medication can be harmful to goslings.
- Space: Provide ample space, roughly 1-2 square feet per gosling, increasing as they grow.
Feeding Geese for Optimal Health
Geese are excellent foragers and can thrive on pasture, but their diet needs supplementation, especially during specific life stages.
Dietary Stages
| Stage | Primary Diet | Protein Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gosling | Waterfowl Starter Feed, Fresh Greens | 20-22% | Unmedicated, finely ground. |
| Grower | Waterfowl Grower Feed, Pasture/Forage, Grains (corn, oats, wheat) | 16-18% | Introduce more pasture as they mature. |
| Layer (Adult) | Waterfowl Layer Feed, Pasture/Forage, Grains, Calcium Supplement (oyster shell/grit) | 16-18% | Crucial for strong eggshells. |
Important Nutritional Considerations
- Pasture Access: Geese are highly efficient grazers and can significantly reduce feed costs if given access to good pasture. They prefer tender, young grasses.
- Grit: Always provide insoluble grit, such as small stones or commercial poultry grit, to help them digest their food.
- Calcium: Laying geese require extra calcium for strong eggshells. This can be provided through a separate feeder containing crushed oyster shells.
- Avoid Overfeeding: While geese enjoy grains, overfeeding can lead to obesity and health issues, especially "angel wing" in young, rapidly growing birds if their diet is too high in protein.
Housing and Shelter: Designed for Geese
As goslings mature quickly, they will soon require full-sized housing that meets their adult needs. Unlike chickens, geese have simpler requirements for shelter.
- Minimal Shelter: Geese are hardy birds that require only minimal shelter from harsh weather conditions like strong winds, heavy rain, and snow. A simple three-sided shed or a repurposed building can suffice.
- No Nesting Boxes or Roosts: A key distinction from chickens is that geese do not require nesting boxes or roosts. They naturally sleep on the ground.
- Nesting Preferences: Geese prefer to make their nests in corners and private, secluded areas within their coop, shelter, or yard. Providing straw or hay in these areas can encourage nesting.
- Space Requirements: Provide at least 10-20 square feet per adult goose inside the shelter if they are confined for extended periods, though more space is always better. For outdoor runs, allow generous space for grazing.
- Ventilation: Good air circulation is essential to prevent respiratory issues, but avoid direct drafts.
- Bedding: A thick layer of fresh straw or wood shavings on the floor helps keep the area dry and comfortable.
Water Access: A Daily Necessity
Water is paramount for geese, not just for drinking but also for their hygiene and health.
- Constant Supply: Geese need constant access to clean, fresh water.
- Deep Waterers: Their unique bill structure requires waterers deep enough for them to submerge their entire bill to clean their nostrils and eyes. This helps prevent respiratory problems.
- Bathing: While not strictly necessary, providing a tub, kiddie pool, or access to a pond allows geese to bathe, which is vital for maintaining their feather condition and preventing parasites. Clean bathing water regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.
Health and Predator Protection
Maintaining a healthy flock involves preventative measures and vigilance.
- Cleanliness: Regularly clean their housing and water sources to prevent the spread of diseases.
- Observation: Daily observation for changes in behavior, appetite, or physical appearance can help detect health issues early.
- Predator Defense: Geese are often targeted by predators such such as foxes, coyotes, and even dogs.
- Secure Fencing: Robust fencing around their pasture and night-time enclosure is crucial.
- Night Housing: Ensure their night shelter is predator-proof with secure doors and no gaps where predators can enter.
- Guard Animals: Geese themselves can be good guard animals, but livestock guardian dogs or donkeys can offer additional protection.
Raising geese successfully involves understanding their instinctual behaviors and providing for their fundamental needs, resulting in a healthy, productive, and often entertaining flock.
