How to house your ducks and geese

When it comes to housing your ducks or geese, make sure you do lots of research to ensure your providing the right enclosure.

Invest in something that will last through the years and outstand various weathers. Ducks and geese can live for many years so it’s worth assessing if you’ll be able to provide the space they need long term.

The minimum size shelter and enclosures should be: 

• 3ft by 3ft (91cm by 91cm) shelter for 3-4 small breed ducks or 1 shelter/sleep section per duck if floating on a pond
• 6ft by 4ft shelter/ark/shed for 3-4 geese or large breed ducks such as Muscovy

Geese and larger breed ducks need the height as well as extra space, as their necks tend to be quite tall.

If you’re unable to keep free range ducks and geese, make sure you provide:

• 10ft long by 6ft wide enclosure for 3-4 small breed ducks such as Call Ducks
• 20ft by 20ft enclosure for geese or large breed ducks

For all breeds they will require a large children’s hard plastic paddling pool or plastic garden pond to suit the recommended minimum group size.

If you are able to provide larger than the minimum size, then it’s worth investing in a large pond area. Just make sure it has easy access using slopes. Floating duck houses can be added if pond size allows, this is an excellent way of offering an extra safe sleeping area away from predators.

An enclosure the size of a small paddock is even better! This will allow your ducks and geese to move around freely. There’s less chance of disease build up too if they have lots of grassy areas to explore.

There are lots of duck and goose shelters available on the market, the bigger the better for this species. They prefer extra floor space as they don’t tend to roost up high.

• Grass, builders’ sand or pea shingle can be added around this area as a floor substrate, although be aware that small patches of grass are likely to be destroyed quickly.
• Straw and large flake shavings make ideal bedding to place in the shelter for both ducks and geese. Make sure you clean up any poo in their enclosure every day and do a full clean and pond refresh weekly.

Remember that most goose breeds are tall and like to walk into the shelter together, so choosing a shelter with height is also important.

Here’s a list of suppliers who provide quality enclosures and shelters:

Quality and spacious coop providers include: 

• The Duck House by Solway Recycling
• Haydock Goose and Duck House by Grandad Rob designs.

Quality and spacious run suppliers include:

• runaboutruns.com
• Grandad rob designs
• Gardens and pets-uk ebay seller – metal walk in poultry runs

Ducks and geese are always at risk of predators such as foxes, cats and dogs. Making sure they’re safe and secure is essential.

Here are a few ways to keep your pet ducks and geese safe: 

• Lock them away in a secure shelter at night, ensuring the unit has strong bolts that cannot be easily undone
• Provide floating houses or an island in the middle of a large pond
• Get some purpose made electric fencing
• Provide an enclosure with a secure roof for small breeds with a high predator risk.

Companionship

Ducks and geese should always be housed in small groups with breeds of similar size especially if a large paddock area is not available. Ganders and mallards can be relentless to females especially during spring, therefore it is advisable to ensure there are at least 3-4 females to each male within the flock.