Coalition to Prevent the Destruction of Canada Geese: FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
Adoption, nesting, incubating eggs, raising goslings, feeding, etc.

FAQ Index

How do we go about adopting some Canada geese?

Wild Canada geese are classified as migratory birds and, as such, are subject to Federal wildlife laws. According to these laws it's illegal to adopt wild Canada geese as pets. While they can be easily domesticated, and probably would make fine pets, it would hardly seem fair to keep them in captivity against their will. Exceptions, of course, would include those that are crippled or otherwise unable to fend for themselves in the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators frequently rescue injured geese that get hit by cars, are injured by fishing line, or crippled by hunters.

Other varieties of geese, so-called domestic geese, can be kept as pets. Of course, whether you can keep them on your property is subject to local town, village or county laws.

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We enjoy feeding the geese, but have heard that feeding them bread is not good for them. Is this true? What should we feed the geese instead?

The natural diet of Canada geese consists of tender grasses and other plant material - they are herbivorous grazers. Geese are also quite fond of foods that are neither particularly nutritious for them (e.g., bread), nor part of their natural diet. While it is often said that such foods are "bad" for them, we have yet to see any scientific studies that prove it. However, it is clear that bread and other foods that bear no resemblance to their native plant-based diet are best characterized as junk food. You shouldn't subsist on junk food and geese shouldn't, either. In moderation, however, there's no harm done.

Geese will eat a variety of foods, but those most related to their natural diet of grasses is probably best for them. Wild geese are capable of finding food on their own: you needn't worry about providing for them unless they are crippled and natural food sources are not available (e.g., extended snow cover).

If you feel compelled to provide them with food, try to make it a supplement, not a substitute, for the diet they find on their own. Geese in the wild do eat seeds and grains, but to a lesser extent than plant matter. Should you choose to feed geese, bird seed and cracked corn are far better than processed human foods such as bread.

By the way, when it comes to food, don't rely on the geese to know what is good for them or how much of what foods to eat.

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Do you have information on building nesting boxes/platforms for geese?

While we periodically receive requests for this sort of information, it is one aspect of Canada geese for which we are not able to offer any assistance.

Our emphasis is on protecting geese from people who want to kill them because they feel there are too many. In this context, we do not feel it appropriate to encourage people to increase nesting opportunities for these birds.

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