What do you feed to geese?
Providing the correct diet is fundamental to raising healthy, productive geese. Their nutritional needs change based on age (gosling vs adult) and purpose (layer vs meat). Understanding their natural diet and appropriate supplements is key.
- Supply grit and potentially oyster shell4
Solution
Offer appropriately sized grit free-choice. Provide oyster shell separately to laying geese.
Explanation
Grit is needed for grinding food in the gizzard. Laying geese require extra calcium for strong eggshells, which oyster shell provides. Offer these in separate containers, not mixed into feed.
Notes
Geese foraging on varied terrain might pick up enough natural grit.
📌 supplement 🛠️ Small containers, Grit, Oyster shell4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution - Maximize grazing and forage5
Solution
Allow geese access to pasture or provide fresh greens daily as the primary component of their diet.
Explanation
Geese are natural herbivores and excellent foragers. Grass, clover, dandelions, and other weeds form the bulk of their natural diet. Access to good quality pasture significantly reduces the need for supplemental feed, especially for adult maintenance.
Notes
Ensure pasture is free from pesticides/herbicides. Rotate grazing areas if possible.
📌 management 🛠️ Pasture/Lawn area, Fencing4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution - Use commercial waterfowl feed5
Solution
Supplement forage with a balanced commercial waterfowl or goose feed, especially for goslings and laying geese.
Explanation
Commercial feeds are formulated to meet specific nutritional needs. Use a starter feed (high protein, ~20-22%) for goslings, a grower feed, and then a layer feed (with added calcium, ~16-18% protein) for breeding/laying geese or a maintenance feed for non-layers. Waterfowl feeds contain necessary niacin levels, which geese require more of than chickens.
Notes
Avoid medicated chicken feed unless specifically recommended by a vet.
📌 commercial 🛠️ Feeder, Waterfowl Feed4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution - Offer supplemental grains3
Solution
Provide limited amounts of scratch grains (like cracked corn, oats, wheat) as a treat or energy supplement, especially in winter.
Explanation
Grains provide energy but are not a balanced diet on their own. Overfeeding grains can lead to obesity and health problems. They are best used sparingly.
Notes
Feed grains in the afternoon after geese have foraged.
📌 supplement 🛠️ Feeder/Scatter area, Grains4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution - Ensure constant access to fresh water5
Solution
Provide clean, fresh drinking water at all times, deep enough for them to submerge their heads.
Explanation
Water is essential for digestion and temperature regulation. Geese need to clear their nasal passages and eyes with water, so the drinker must be deep enough for head submersion.
Notes
Clean waterers daily as geese will dirty them quickly.
📌 requirement 🛠️ Waterer (bucket, tub, auto-waterer)4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution - Adjust feed for age and season5
Solution
Modify the diet based on the age of the geese and the time of year.
Explanation
Goslings need high-protein starter feed. Adults need less protein unless laying or molting. During winter when forage is scarce, supplemental feed (pellets, grains, hay) becomes more important. Laying geese need layer pellets during breeding season.
Notes
Observe body condition to adjust feed amounts; avoid obesity.
📌 management 🛠️ Appropriate feed types4/16/2025, 9:22:04 PM
solution