Provide separate housing/shelter

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 moisture from droppings than chickens.

Why It Works

Separate housing eliminates nighttime aggression when birds are confined and cannot escape. It also lets you manage bedding moisture independently — goose shelters need bedding changes 2-3 times more often than chicken coops due to wet droppings. Species-specific shelters reduce stress and improve health for both flocks.

Tips

• Allow at least 0.5 square metres of floor space per goose in their shelter
• Keep goose bedding dry by using thick straw layers and replacing them every 3-5 days
• Lock both shelters at night to protect against predators such as foxes and raccoons