Raising Geese: Feed, Grazing & Flock Management Guide

Geese are excellent grazers and guardians that thrive on grass with minimal supplemental feed. A small flock provides meat, eggs, down, and remarkably effective weed control.

Feed needs

Geese are primarily grazers but benefit from 0.4 lb per bird per day of supplemental feed when pasture is limited or in winter.

Space requirements

Each goose needs 6–8 sq ft of shelter and at least 20 sq ft of outdoor range. Good pasture reduces feed costs dramatically — geese can maintain weight on grass alone in summer.

Water needs

Geese need water deep enough to submerge their heads for cleaning, plus drinking water totaling about 0.5 gal per bird per day. A small pond or livestock tub suffices.

Tips for success

• Use geese as "weeder geese" in orchards and row crops — they eat grass and broad-leaf weeds while avoiding most crops.
• Geese are seasonal layers (spring), so plan hatching windows accordingly — most lay 30–50 eggs per year.
• Ganders make excellent flock guardians and will aggressively chase off small predators and alert to larger threats.

Common mistakes

• Expecting year-round egg production — geese lay seasonally unlike chickens or quail.
• Housing geese without adequate water for head-dipping, which leads to eye infections and respiratory problems.

Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.