Ensure draft-free ventilation

Install ventilation openings near the roofline of the shelter while keeping the lower 2 feet of walls solid and draft-free. Geese rest on the ground, so cold air currents at floor level can chill them, while stagnant air higher up traps moisture and ammonia from droppings.

Why It Works

Geese exhale significant moisture -- a flock of 6 can release over a liter of water vapor overnight. Without upper ventilation, this moisture condenses on walls and bedding, promoting mold and respiratory illness. Ridge vents, gable vents, or adjustable vent flaps placed above goose height allow warm, moist air to escape without creating ground-level drafts.

Tips

• Provide at least 1 square foot of ventilation per 10 square feet of floor space
• Cover vent openings with half-inch hardware cloth to exclude predators
• In winter, reduce but never fully close ventilation -- moisture buildup is more dangerous than cold