Sebastopol Geese and Winter Question

[M10lk]

Hello! I have two adolescent Sebastopol geese. I was wondering what everyone does for winter? I’m in Scotland where winters here are very cold and wet I’ve read mixed opinions where some people say they are fine with no extra support in winter and some say to give. They are currently in separate houses as they had not been getting along .. Looking for advice on what everyone else does as it will be my first winter with them

 

[Callender Girl]

Northern Iowa is frigid and endlessly windy in the winter; it can be weeks of snow on the ground and temperatures never getting above freezing. I have two American Buff geese, and they don't seem to have any problems with the weather (I do, though!).

It MIGHT be different for your Sebastopols because of their feathering. But, I also have a frizzle Bantam chicken who has the typical "inside-out" feather arrangement, and she also does fine in winter.

The only "extra support" I give my geese is a wee bit of scratch grains, and I make sure they always have access to a dish of water deep enough to dip their beaks. Best wishes for a successful winter!

 

[M10lk]

Northern Iowa is frigid and endlessly windy in the winter; it can be weeks of snow on the ground and temperatures never getting above freezing. I have two American Buff geese, and they don't seem to have any problems with the weather (I do, though!).

It MIGHT be different for your Sebastopols because of their feathering. But, I also have a frizzle Bantam chicken who has the typical "inside-out" feather arrangement, and she also does fine in winter.

The only "extra support" I give my geese is a wee bit of scratch grains, and I make sure they always have access to a dish of water deep enough to dip their beaks. Best wishes for a successful winter!

That’s great to hear! While I wouldn’t mind doing it it would’ve been a massive hassle getting electricity to their houses I will take the scratch grains advice and see how they do!

 

[AGeese]

I'm in central Iowa so pretty bitter and windy as well, and the geese here are good in barns with straw. I'm setting mine up in an old garage for their first winter, not sure if I'll use hay and straw, or flake or a mix. They'll eat the hay I'm sure. The main issue is fresh water so if you don't have a source or electric to keep it from freezing you'll be running buckets back and forth. Though you might be able to try insulting a tire for a drinker.

As for the cold my Buckeye and Jersey Hens weathered fine without heat for the most part. I had a radient heater, but the way I had to mount it was just too high to make much impact. They'll be fine with a some straw sheltered out of the wind I'm sure.

 

[dwabrek]

We are in Northern NH with very cold temps and 2 Sebastopol geese you will soon find that they LOVE the snow and the rain, even in cold temps. Just make sure their coop always has dry straw and protect them from the wind/cold in the winter by putting heavy landscaping plastic as a border around their run, and the wind can't penetrate, but make sure they still get lots of ventilation. We have all snow and no grass in our winter, so they always need a great source of high protein food scratch, treats such as lettuce, grapes, tomatoes, etc and constant WATER. mine do snow goose angels LOL
Watch out for the winter months (Jan-Apr) as they are in mating season and have attitudes...I've got a couple pecking bruises LOL.

Also, why do you think they arent getting along? That sounds unusual unless your coop and outdoor run isnt large enough for the both of them.