Can geese live with chickens?

Account for the significant size and strength gap between geese and chickens before housing them together. Adult geese weigh 4.5-8 kg compared to 2-4 kg for most chicken breeds, and ganders become territorial and aggressive during breeding season (typically February through June). A single gander…

Set up separate water stations for geese and chickens. Geese require open water deep enough for submerging their heads (at least 15 cm) to clean their nostrils and eyes, and they benefit from a swimming tub or small pool. Chickens need shallow, clean drinkers and can drown in water deeper than 5-8…

Build or designate separate nighttime shelters for geese and chickens. Chickens need enclosed coops with elevated roosts (40-60 cm off the ground) and secure ventilation. Geese sleep on the ground and prefer open-fronted three-sided shelters with deep straw bedding, since they produce far more…

Place dedicated feeding stations for geese and chickens at least 3 metres apart. Geese require higher niacin levels (55-65 mg/kg of feed) than chickens, and standard chicken layer feed lacks sufficient niacin for geese. Geese also eat by scooping, flinging feed and wasting it from chicken-style…

Maintain strict hygiene when keeping geese and chickens together to limit cross-species disease transmission. Geese can carry avian influenza, pasteurella, and internal parasites such as gizzard worms that also infect chickens. Conversely, chickens may harbour Marek's disease and coccidiosis…

Let geese and chickens share a large open pasture or yard during the day while you monitor for aggression. A minimum of 20 square metres per bird gives both species room to forage independently and avoid confrontation. Ensure the area includes low obstacles, bushes, or small shelters where chickens…