Provide overhead protection for goslings

Cover the gosling run with 1-inch poultry netting or 1/2-inch hardware cloth stretched taut across the top of the enclosure frame. Ensure the netting sits no higher than 6 feet so hawks cannot dive underneath from the sides.

Why It Works

Goslings under 6 weeks weigh as little as 0.5–1 lb, well within the prey range of red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and other raptors. Adult geese are generally too large for aerial predators, but a covered run eliminates the risk entirely for vulnerable young birds.

Tips

• Use UV-stabilized netting to prevent sun degradation within one season
• Anchor netting edges tightly to prevent wind gaps that raptors can exploit
• Transition goslings to the open adult area once they exceed 5 lb and can better evade attacks