Locate shelter appropriately

Position the goose shelter on slightly elevated, well-drained ground within easy walking distance of pasture and water. Face the entrance away from prevailing winds and ensure the site does not collect standing water during heavy rain.

Why It Works

Geese produce wet droppings and track water from ponds, so a low-lying shelter quickly becomes a muddy, unsanitary mess. Elevating the site by even 4-6 inches above the surrounding grade and adding a gravel base promotes drainage. Proximity to pasture (within 100 feet) encourages geese to use the shelter voluntarily at night, and convenient access simplifies daily cleaning and egg collection.

Tips

• Lay 2-3 inches of pea gravel beneath the shelter as a drainage base before adding bedding
• Avoid placing shelters under large deciduous trees that drop wet leaves onto the roof in autumn
• Orient the entrance toward the water source so geese follow a natural traffic pattern