6 Best Goose Runs For Weasels That Naturally Outsmart Predators

A weasel can squeeze through any hole you can fit a quarter through. Once you’ve seen it happen, you never look at a simple chicken wire fence the same way again. Protecting geese, especially young goslings, isn’t about building a bigger pen—it’s about building a smarter one. You have to think for the weasel, anticipating how it climbs, digs, and squeezes its way to your flock.

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Homesteader’s Fortress Heavy-Duty Goose Run

This isn’t a specific brand you buy off a shelf; it’s a mindset. A "fortress" run is what you build when you’ve decided to eliminate predator risk as much as humanly possible. It means no shortcuts, using materials that feel like overkill until the day they’re not. Think a sturdy frame of 2x4s or welded steel panels, fully roofed with metal or hardware cloth, not flimsy netting.

The non-negotiable element for weasel-proofing is 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch hardware cloth lining the entire lower portion of the run, at least three feet up from the ground. The main trade-off here is obvious: cost and labor. Digging a trench for a buried wire skirt and wrestling with heavy-gauge wire is a serious weekend project.

This approach is for the homesteader with a permanent flock in a high-predator area. If you’re tired of temporary fixes and patching holes, and you want a solution that will last for a decade or more, you build a fortress. It’s peace of mind in physical form.

OverEZ Apex Predator-Proof Coop & Run Combo

The biggest appeal of an all-in-one kit like the OverEZ is the engineered fit. When the coop and run are designed to bolt together seamlessly, you eliminate many of the weak points that pop up when you try to piece together a DIY setup. These kits save you time and guesswork.

Most high-quality combos use sturdy latches and coated wire mesh that stands up to the elements. However, no commercial kit is perfectly weasel-proof right out of the box. You must inspect every seam and corner for small gaps and, most importantly, plan on adding a hardware cloth skirt around the entire base to prevent digging.

This is a fantastic option for the hobby farmer who values a clean, quick setup and is willing to make a few crucial modifications. You’re buying a solid foundation, but you still need to add the finishing touches that turn a good run into a great one.

Rugged Ranch Universal Welded Wire Pen Kit

The defining feature of panel-based systems like the Rugged Ranch is their modularity. You can start with a small pen and easily add more panels to expand it as your flock grows. This flexibility is invaluable if you’re not sure about your long-term space needs.

Be warned: the standard 2"x4" wire mesh on these panels will stop a coyote, but it won’t even slow down a weasel. To make this system secure, you have to line the bottom two to three feet with a separate layer of hardware cloth. Think of the panels as the strong skeleton; the hardware cloth is the impenetrable skin.

This is the perfect choice for someone planning for growth. Buy the panels for the sturdy, adaptable frame and easy setup. Just go into the purchase knowing that you have a second, equally important project of adding the fine mesh that provides the real security.

Advantek’s The Tower Run & Hutch for Geese

Hutch-and-run combos like "The Tower" are designed to maximize security in a small footprint. The elevated, enclosed hutch gives birds a safe place to sleep off the ground, which is a major advantage against ground-level predators and damp conditions.

Let’s be direct: this style is generally too small for full-sized geese. A couple of Toulouse or Emden geese will barely be able to turn around in the typical hutch run. The lightweight wood and simple latches are also a poor match for a persistent raccoon, let alone the subtle infiltration of a weasel.

So, who is this for? It can be an excellent, secure brooder for raising goslings until they are large enough to join the main flock. It could also work as a "bedroom" that opens into a much larger, more robust daytime run. Don’t mistake it for a complete, standalone housing solution for adult geese.

Producer’s Pride Sentinel Walk-In Pen Kit

The number one reason to get a walk-in pen is for you. Being able to stand up straight while cleaning waterers, scattering feed, and checking on your birds is a game-changer for daily chores. It makes flock management far more pleasant and efficient.

Like other large panel kits, the Sentinel’s standard chain-link or wide welded-wire mesh is a massive vulnerability. Weasels, snakes, and raccoons can pass through it easily. This pen absolutely requires a full wrap of hardware cloth around the bottom perimeter, including a buried apron to stop diggers.

Think of this kit as the perfect structural frame. You’re buying it for the convenience and the strong, tall bones. The predator-proofing is a separate, but mandatory, step you must take to make it a safe home for your geese.

Tractor Supply Co. Universal Poultry Pen

These simple, boxed kits are often the entry point for new poultry keepers. They are affordable, go up in a day, and provide a basic enclosure with a tarp cover for shade. They get the job done on a budget.

You get what you pay for. The included poultry netting is thin and tears easily, and the wide mesh offers almost zero protection from small predators. The tarp roof is notorious for collecting water, catching wind, and degrading in the sun. It’s a temporary solution at best.

This pen can be a decent, budget-friendly starting point if you go in with eyes wide open. Immediately plan to replace the flimsy netting with hardware cloth and reinforce the frame and cover. It’s a blank canvas that needs significant security work before your birds move in.

Amagabeli Hardware Cloth for Skirt Fencing

This isn’t a run; it’s the most critical component of any secure run. Hardware cloth is a rigid, galvanized wire mesh with small openings. For weasels, you need 1/2-inch mesh at a minimum, and 1/4-inch is even better. Standard chicken wire is not a substitute.

The most effective way to use it is as a "skirt" or "apron." First, attach the hardware cloth to the bottom of your run’s walls, going up at least 2 feet. Then, bend the material at a 90-degree angle and lay 12 to 24 inches of it flat on the ground outside the pen, burying it under a few inches of dirt or mulch.

When a predator comes to dig at the fence line, its paws hit this buried wire barrier. They can’t dig through it and are genetically programmed to dig at the base of a wall, not to back up two feet and start digging there. This one technique defeats almost every digging animal.

Nite Guard Solar Predator Control Light System

Physical barriers are your primary defense, but psychological deterrents can convince a predator to never even test them. Nite Guard and similar products are small, solar-powered devices that absorb sunlight all day and emit a flashing red light all night. This mimics the eye of another predator, triggering a flight response in nocturnal hunters.

The trick is to place them strategically around the perimeter of the run, at the eye level of the predator you’re trying to deter. For weasels and raccoons, this is about 10-20 inches off the ground. Using several lights creates the illusion of movement and a larger presence, making your coop seem like a well-guarded, dangerous place to hunt.

These lights are not a replacement for a secure fence; they are a force multiplier. They are an incredibly effective, zero-maintenance layer of security that works while you sleep. They encourage predators to take the path of least resistance and find an easier meal somewhere else.

A truly predator-proof goose run is a system, not a single product you can buy in a box. It requires a strong frame to resist force, an impenetrable mesh skin like hardware cloth to stop small invaders, and a psychological deterrent like flashing lights to ward off threats before they arrive. Investing the time and money to build it right from the start will save you the immense cost and heartache of losing your flock.