what do i do with a goose in the winter?

Question

i got this cute little baby goose at our local feed store this spring-now he's huge and i don't know exactly what he needs for winter. i have a farm and a large barn but he was raised in my back yard in my dog fence and has a heart atack when you lock him out. i like him back there better anyways because we have coyotes. i am serious so don't say eat him or get rid of him- i just want to know if i put up a shelter and he has water and food he'll be fine

one other thing i should have added-he's a large farm goose-not a canadian or other wild goose. so he can't fly away-but thanks so much for all the input

Answer 1

HI

Tons of experience with geese...

OK look you have a farm goose,, so any Wildlife department employees will likley not even talk to you about it or give you advice..

One thing I would tell you.... If you have not already done this is to locate a VET that would treat your goose if it needs treatment ever in the future... the time to look for the VET is not once you need one and many will not do geese...

NEXT
You do not say how large an area he or she has.. Grown geese need room to move...
You can put a dog house out there for him.. he enjoy getting in out of th wind.. but you do not need a light. Bes to keep electrical cords away from a goose...
Basically think of it as child proofing for an 18 mos old who may put things in thier mouths or chew on cords.. look at his area that way..

Now.. if you do not use a dog house... you need to put up a wind break at least... something that is secure and wont blow or fall ove... I dont like ot use hay bales unless they are only single bales and not stcked one on top of each other.

The dog house providing its big enough is the best.
He will still need food and water...
I assume you feed him a commerical feed. You should know that many feeds are meant to geese being raised for eating or food and may be too fattening for a pet.

We use a duck/goose feed called LAYENA made by purina
Bes tstuff I have ever seen...really its good

You can find a Purina Mill near you and they should have it or can order it... Dont use any of the other Purina duck goose feeds no matter what the feed mill says because they are not meant for long term use.. and will make your bird fat and unhealthy.

Here is a link tot he Purina Site

http://www.purinamills.com/OurProducts.aspx?product=poultry

THe heated dog dish for water is a good thing to use as well,, but get the largest one you can find...

Also its god the have water deep enough for the goose to be able to put his head in up to his nostrils so he can clear them blow stuff out of them in water... you can put a dish out dailt like a dish pan FULL of warm but not hot water every day for him to do that... once it freezes take it away


Now if he were my goose.... LOL Id give him time or access to my bathtub with it full of water oncee in a while and then let him dry off on a porch or inside so he could bath and groom... LOL

But I dont think its a good idea to take him in and out of extreme temps.. so taking him out of -20F temp to a 75F house and then back out in -20F is not the best...
You will see him if hes cold shivering etc... Geese can tolerate very cold temps long as they can get out of the wind... if he seems cold you can put him on an indoor porch or even the barn for a bit til the weather warms up in a cold snap;;
You are right about the cyotes.. they would love him for dinner..
Mink and weasel too will go after a goose even racoon..if they are hungry enough..
Also.. he can prob fly a bit as well... 3-4 feet off the grround maybe 15-20 feet or so... Most Domestic geese can fly a bit.


But then again we have ducks that go on vacation with us and watch TV,.. sooo I guess we are but nutty for our birds.

They shower all the time with our 12 year old... and do not like the cold so they get an indoor area in winter.. ith a TV.. not spoiled.. ? LOL

OK well I wish you luck with your goose... remember he is going to need some company.. geese are social and like company of other birds ducks or geese,, anything really.. they hate being all alone for long periods.

They are also very smart...

Take Care

Wismom

Answer 2

My duckies will be warm and comfortable in their straw bale fort. Cover with a sturdy water and wind proof tarp. Don't put a light in there. I also use one of those dog water dishes that are heated so the water doesn't freeze. Plenty of food and water and he'll be the happiest goose on the block, or farm.

Answer 3

Make sure he has lots of fresh water that has a heater so it won't freeze. If you have a large shed for him put a heat lamp (don't hang it too low) in a corner of it. Bank the area with some straw bales.

good luck.

Answer 4

Provide it with a nice warm place such as a large dog house with a light in it. Make sure he has plenty of food water and grit.

Answer 5

call your local Game and Wildlife Management Department, they'll know the best way to care for the goose in bad weather...

Answer 6

If you really want to keep him, do the same thing you have been doing, [so he doesn't fly away] give him plenty of food and water. maybe a bail of straw, your home is his home. he will stay.

Answer 7

Geese are sturdy. Just keep treating him like you were previously, he'll stay. He might be happier with a shelter, however.