An Expanded Shelter for My Geese
My fluffy Sebastopol geese are now seven-months old and growing bigger and more beautiful every day.
As some of you may know, last May I acquired five Sebastopol geese from breeder Brian Tallman in Pine Plains, New York. These geese are easily identified by their long, curly feathers that spiral and drape to the ground. I also have two Pomeranian geese that keep watch over my flock of chickens. All seven of them spend most of their days together in the chicken yard and in the adjacent vegetable gardens, which are opened to them during this time of year. Last week, Pete, from my outdoor grounds crew, expanded their shelter, so the gaggle can also huddle together at night in a warm and safe enclosure.
Here are the latest photos - enjoy.
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- Here is one of my five Sebastopol geese flapping its wings – they’ve grown a lot in the last few months. Because their feathers lay loosely, Sebastopols cannot fly well, but they will still flutter their wings.
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- Pete is putting cedar shingles on the newly expanded goose and gander shelter. It is located just outside one of the chicken coops. Now that these “Sebbies” are bigger, they can join the Pomeranians in their hutch.
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- Pete replaces any old shingles that are broken or timeworn.
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- And then places the new shingles onto the roof of the expanded section.
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- Using a long piece of wood, Pete makes a straight line across the entire roof, so the new shingles match the already existing ones.
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- The Sebastopols are very hardy and are adaptable to cold climates, but I prefer all my birds indoors at night where it is warm in winter and, of course, safe from predators.
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- The chickens seem to enjoy the shelter also. These hens don’t even mind all the noise of the carpentry work above.
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- Pete cuts all the shingles and lines them up perfectly.
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- Next, Pete screws each shingle into place.
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- Two screws in each, so every one is very secure.
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- I love the draping plumage on these birds. The plumage of the head and upper two-thirds of the neck remains smooth, while that of the breast and underbody grows long and well-curled.
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- Here is the finished roof. The cedar will darken to gray after time.
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- Chickens love to roost and watch all the activity. Because my birds have grown up here at the farm, they are all accustomed to the noise – they are always so curious and so friendly.
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- These five Sebastopol geese are the best of friends – they always travel together around the enclosures.
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- Pete screws the last piece of wood to the side of the shelter.
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- And then secures a thick, industrial piece of plastic across the entire doorway. This will keep the space free from drafts and allow the geese access.
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- Sebastopols are considered medium-sized birds. Here they are looking for small insects or seeds in the adjacent vegetable gardens. My chickens and geese are great at fertilizing the soil. They provide a tremendous nitrogen source to the area, and are champions of turning the soil, and eliminating the weeds. I let all the chickens and geese in this area after the growing season.
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- Pete cuts the plastic exactly to size once it is completely attached to the structure.
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- And then using another wooden board to hold the plastic in place, Pete cuts the bottom.
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- Another piece of wood is placed over the top of the plastic to give it extra support.
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- And then Pete cuts the plastic into strips, so the geese can go in and out of the shelter with ease.
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- My Sebastopols are gaining more and more confidence every day. The Pomeranian geese are teaching them to guard the chickens, but Sebastopols are instinctively good watchers – they will let you know day or night if something is not right.
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- Once all the woodwork is complete, Pete begins painting the structure in my signature “Bedford Gray”.
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- Here is the expanded shelter – ready for use.
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- Inside, a heat lamp is set up to keep them warm. We also line the entire space with straw bedding. All the coops are also checked several times during the day and night to make sure all the birds are happy, safe and secure.
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- Sebastopols are excellent runners. Here they go across the field – perhaps to check out their new house. See you soon, my dear Sebastopols.
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