How to Build Pens for Geese

Geese are common in zoos, parks and near lakes, and they can even be found in backyards as pets. Even if you don't live on a farm, you may find that geese are a rewarding pet to have and breed. Like a dog, geese also need a house or pen to stay in. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Reserve enough area to be devoted to the geese because they tend to be a little larger than other fowl and need additional room. If you have male and female birds, you will need to have separate pens to put them in during mating season.
2. Decide what fencing material to use for the pen. Some of the most common are barbed wire, wire mesh alone or with a combination of spit rail. The wire must be run at least a foot deep into the ground and there must be some type of covering for the entire top of the pen to ensure that predators cannot enter.
3. Use bedding for the geese that is appropriate for the climate you live in. The bedding will also double as nesting sites in the pen during breeding. Straw is a common material but it should be changed often to prevent mold.
4. Ensure that the pen is large enough for a growing flock. If the geese are being raised from goslings, plan for how big the birds will be when fully grown and make sure the pen will be large enough. Some breeds of geese can get quite large and can become aggressive if penned too close together.
5. Give the geese plenty of shade in the pen for summer months and be sure to provide heat in winter months. Depending on where you live, the shelter should face away from the winds and snow drifts. Be sure to brush up on the specific needs of the breed you're raising because some geese are more heat and cold tolerant than others.