The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: lord flynn on February 16, 2019, 10:07:50 am

Title: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: lord flynn on February 16, 2019, 10:07:50 am: Hi all

I no longer keep geese but I seem to remember that off grass, during the flu lock down, it was hard to find stuff they would eat-and I can't remember if they'd eat the flaked peas that I supplement the diet of my ducks and chickens with in the winter (they would eat fresh peas though, apples and spring greens).

Anyway, looking to enrich an enclosure of rescue ganders-they have an acre of grazing and a pond but its only grass and some of it is a little bare atm. Obviously they have pellets etc.

Is there anything shrub/tree wise that they might like to nibble on? Obviously this time of year is what it is, but wondered if willow/apple might be an idea? Any other suggestions? The pond has a concrete base-I've read about putting grit etc in the bottom but wondered if that was mainly for ducks?

Thanks :)
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: Fleecewife on February 16, 2019, 01:08:51 pm: Mine just love their bath, but as you have a pond maybe they don't need another one. They jump into buckets, sheep drinkers, washing up bowls, their dog bath, anything wet with nice fresh water in.
Ours don't actually eat much shrubby stuff but they do like to spend part of the day hidden away in bushy bits. They also like somewhere they can sunbathe.
But most of all as you know they love to graze. Maybe you could close off some areas to allow the grass to grow a bit when the warmer weather starts, so they could have a rotation of longer grass, say 2-3", or you could sprout large trays of grain for them.
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: Possum on February 16, 2019, 03:08:43 pm: Geese love chewing things so some small tree branches would keep them happily occupied for quite some time.
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: lord flynn on February 17, 2019, 12:16:20 pm: thanks both-will think about some planting and get some branches 'n the meantime.
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: Steph Hen on February 18, 2019, 08:20:55 am: They do LOVE goose berries.
They' d probably like some geese :love: :coat:
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: goosepimple on February 19, 2019, 06:53:05 pm: cauliflower is ace, as are iceberg lettuce (big favourite), kale etc … just if you're in a growing mood or if the supermarket has cheap ones going..
Title: Re: Goose enclosure enrichment
Post by: Penninehillbilly on February 19, 2019, 07:02:37 pm: They love to dabble for whole wheat in water, I use a wide bucket, but maybe throwing a handful into pond? Also stops rodents getting it.