Breeding geese is a profitable occupation, although in popularity they cannot be compared to chickens. These birds contain for the purpose of receiving meat, down, a feather, their liver is considered as a special delicacy. Of course, the content of geese has its own characteristics, and the main problems in this regard arise in the cold season. Efforts should be made to make the birds winter in comfort.
Equipment room for keeping geese in winter
For the maintenance of living creatures, you can use two types of premises: a poultry house and a greenhouse. Consider the features of each of them. 
In the house
By the arrival of cold weather it is very important to have time to build a goose-horse in which optimal conditions will be created for the wintering of the bird. It is needed in order to protect it from strong winds and dampness.
Important! The geese are rushing at night and in the morning, so eggs should be collected in the morning, as they can die out for dinner.
One of the main requirements for this facility is wooden floor. Geese have very delicate feet, so it is not recommended to make for them a floor of earth or concrete.
On the wooden floor is necessary lay a thick litter. For this you can use peat, straw or sawdust. The litter thickness should average about 50 cm. With time, it will become dirty, so periodically it is necessary to pour in new materials. In addition, in order to keep it dry for as long as possible, you need to sprinkle it with superphosphate 1 time in 7-10 days at the rate of 400 g per 1 square meter. meter. 
To speed up the laying process, it is recommended to use artificial lighting. It should coincide with daylight; It is allowed to reduce this time by 2-3 hours. After some time, it is recommended to leave the light on for 12 hours - this will contribute to the proper hatching process.
Although in the winter outside often keeps below zero temperatures, geese are worth let out for a walkwhich should be about 1 hour daily. The temperature in the roaster in winter should not be below 0 ° C.
It is also important to keep the house clean and clean as it gets dirty.
Get acquainted with the subtleties of the content of goslings and geese.
In the greenhouse
For winter geese you can use film or polycarbonate greenhouse. The second option is able to provide a higher temperature inside, so it is chosen more often. 
Before you run the bird, you need to run some greenhouse preparation activities:
- provide the possibility of additional heating in case of severe frosts;
- strengthen the structure against heavy snow and winds;
- provide coverage.
Learn more about polycarbonate greenhouses: the choice of polycarbonate and finished greenhouses; the benefits of different types of foundation; the manufacture of polycarbonate greenhouses, fixing polycarbonate on the metal frame.
In addition, the preparation of the greenhouse includes its thorough cleaning, as the presence of dust and debris will contribute to frequent diseases of animals. A mandatory ventilation system is installed, a thick flooring is placed on the floor. Periodically, as far as the pollution is concerned, they clean and replace the top layer of the flooring.
Video: content of geese in the greenhouse
What else should take care in the winter
To house was suitable for birds, you need to fill it with various inventory. Consider what must necessarily be present in the goose.
Read also about the winter maintenance of chickens, turkeys and pigeons.
We prepare nests
To ensure normal egg laying, the house must be equipped with nests. The length of the structure is usually 60 cm, and the width and height are 50 cm each. The front part is characterized by the presence of a small rim, whose height is about 10 m, which is necessary to prevent the litter from falling out. The nest should have a wooden floor, the use of metal is not recommended - in the winter season it will not allow the bird to warm up, moreover, eggs can easily break on it.
Ideally, each bird should have its own nest - in the absence of this opportunity, it is necessary to equip the house so that 2-3 females can freely accommodate in one nest. 
Feeders
To maintain proper diet it is important to provide the house with quality feeders. In the same room should be several pieces, so that geese can get food at the same time. Usually the feeder is made of boards. A feature of this design is the presence of stuffed slats that prevent birds from getting inside the feeder. When installing it is also worth paying attention to the fact that the upper limit of the structure is not lower than the back of the goose. It is recommended to set the feeders for separate feeders. From time to time they should be cleaned and dried.
Did you know? Geese have good hearing and distinguish sounds at a distance of 50 meters.
Drinking bowls
Water should always be present in the house. For this purpose, special drinkers are installed in the room. If the water is not enough, and the birds will miss it, it is fraught with frequent diseases of animals, as well as the termination of laying.
The water tank must be installed on a grid or metal sheet so that the litter is not wet. A low bucket, trough or bath can also be used as a drinker. Water change takes place three times a day. To ensure a constant supply of clean water, you can hold a narrow hose from the barrel to the trough. 
Do not forget about walking: what temperature does geese maintain in the winter outside?
Although it can be quite cold outside in winter, it is necessary to organize walking geese every day. They have a good external cover, so they calmly withstand temperatures down to -10 ° ะก.
Before taking the bird for a walk, it is necessary to clear the courtyard from the snow cover, as well as to make sure that the living creatures cannot run out of the fence. Daily walks of 1-2 hours will benefit geese by increasing their clutch size and survival rate.
What to feed geese in winter
During the winter period it is very important to provide good nutrition to the feathered one. Consider what needs to be considered when forming the bird menu.
Learn more about the diet of geese and goslings.
Diet
In cold weather it is especially important to adhere to a strict diet. Until January feed the geese twice a day. For the first meal is well suited mashwhich is prepared by mixing food waste with porridge. It is recommended to use porridge made from oat grains. In this mixture, you can add grated carrots, fish meal. Coarse grains are given at the second meal. 
Since January, the bird is transferred to three meals a day. Grain is usually given in the morning and evening, and mash - at lunch. In February, you can add a little beets and carrots to your diet - this will help increase your appetite.
Important! To prevent the geese from smearing the eggs, it is not recommended to give them liquid food during incubation.
Grain can be replaced with potatoes, but it should be borne in mind that the portion should be increased. Also in the diet of geese should be present hay - steamed or dry.
Video: Winter Feeding Geese
Vitamin supplements
To maintain the immunity of the bird on the walls of the goose it is necessary to suspend containers with special dressings - this can be eggshell, shell rock or chalk. Getting into the stomach of geese, small pebbles contribute to the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, they are necessary for grinding raw food and supplying the body with useful minerals and substances.
When the mating period comes, males need to increase the amount of food, because at this time they are actively spending their energy and strength. It is recommended for goose to give food separately, which will include oatmeal, carrots, wheat and yeast. Good feeding can increase the fertility rate of eggs by 20%.
Did you know? Goose is a sacred bird in many cultures. For example, the ancient Egyptians were convinced that the ancestors of this bird were directly related to the creation of the world, and the Romans worshiped a goose, as it was believed that he was the favorite bird of the god of war.
In addition to the usual food, you can purchase vitamin supplements in specialized stores and pour them into food according to the instructions. However, if you follow the instructions on feeding geese and correctly formulate a diet for poultry, you can do without additional complexes. 
So, to grow healthy geese, you need to follow simple guidelines for their maintenance and feeding. With a little effort, you can boast a large number of birds in your yard.
