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linda asked in PetsBirds · 1 decade ago

What do you do with domestic geese in the winter?

Does anyone know what geese like to do in the winter? I only have 2 and they've always just slept out in the yard, but now we've had a blizzard so there's a foot of snow, and it's really really cold today. We built a 3 sided hut, put hay and food and water inside, but they won't go in it. They refuse to come in the garage and won't step foot in the chicken coop. Do they normally just lie in the snow all winter? I feel so bad for them walking around in their little bare feet!

3 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Geese will be fine outdoors all year long eating grasses and leftover seeds and grains in farm fields. If you give them chicken scratch feed and wild bird seed mix they will have a good food. You could also remove some snow so they can get to the grass. As you found out they do not care for a shelter and will get moisture from grass and snow if not from the pond. I found that most birds feet are actually very warm perhaps from increased blood flow to keep them from freezing. They do not seem to feel the cold and more than once I have seen their feet frozen to the pond ice.

  • lj1
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I grew up around geese and ducks. No matter how cold it got outside, we would see our geese swimming around in the pond. We did provide shelters for our geese, but I think they only really used them when they were sitting on eggs.

    You have done all you can do for your geese. If they get cold enough, they will seek shelter. Besides, their feathers and down are natural defenses against the cold. They will be fine.

  • Goldy
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    They will go to sleep in snow and ice , their feet have a system built in which enables them to shut off the blood supply to them(simplest way to explain)so they do not feel the cold in their little feet.

    Source(s): cvb
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