Prioritize floor space over vertical space in shelters

Design goose shelters to maximize floor area rather than height. A ceiling height of 3-4 feet is sufficient for the birds; build taller only if you need walk-in access for cleaning. Unlike chickens, geese do not roost on perches and sleep directly on ground-level bedding.

Why It Works

Geese are ground-dwelling birds that never perch. Every dollar and square foot spent on vertical features like roost bars or elevated platforms is wasted. Flat, open floor plans with deep straw bedding match their natural sleeping and nesting behavior.

Tips

• Build shelters at least 4 ft tall at the entrance for easy human access during cleaning
• Skip roost bars, ramps, and nesting boxes designed for chickens
• Use the full floor footprint for bedding area, aiming for 10-15 sq ft per bird