Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 91, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1898 — POULTRY & BEES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULTRY & BEES

GEESE FOR MARKET. A Branch of the Poultry Business Which Possesses a Number of Special Advantage*. If there is abundant pasturage little other food is required, as a goose depends largely upon grass for sustenthe summer months. During winter there should be some inclosure or protection provided, and the geese should be fed twice a day. Shredded hay or silage is suitable, giving corn at least once a day or so. If geese are fed too much grain it will induce laying too early’ in the season and the eggs will probably not be fertile. Geese seek mates in Eebtuary. Among the many varieties w’e think the Embden, African and Toulouse are most profitable. A good cross is obtained by mating an African gander with Embden geese. The cross secures better layers and the color of the flesh is improved. The “green goose,” as the goose is styled when about four months old, is in demand in the markets if fattened nicely. Sometimes young geese are sent to market at two months old, if of good size and w r ell fattened. To fatten they should be

placed out of sight and hearing of their mates, or they will be restless and will consequently’ not take on fat so easily. Plenty of grass and water must be given daily, in a<kl ition to grain or scalded meal. Cooked turnips may be fed also, as they relish this vegetable. Y T oung goslings should not be allowed to get chilled, but must be cared for much the same as ducklings until strong enough to follow the mother goose. While the goose must have plenty of drinking water and a bath now and then is beneficial, it is not essential that ponds should be prepared for them, nor that they’ should dabble in water at all times. If running water is a natural feature of the farm and the geese have access to it at all times, then it will be necessary to pen the goslings and the mothers for a few weeks until the down is well out on the goslings. There is no prettier sight, at least among the feathered tribe, than a family of goslings, which are seemingly golden balls of fluffy down, sailing serenely by the side of their mother. Corn meal, slightly salted, should be fed to goslings; also table scraps are much liked. One pound of feathers is nearly the average obtained from six geese when picked for their feathers. When killed three geese will furnish one pound of feathers. The African or Toulouse will lay from 20 to 25 eggs. The first laying should l>e set under hensand the goose allowed to sit on the last laying or clutch, as it is called. As a rule each goose should average 20 goslings in a year,and as the average weight will be about ten pounds each when well fattened for market, it will be seen that with a good breed to start with, good care, etc., raising geese for market will prove as paying as other branches of poultry raising. Those who intend shipping should send to dealers in poultry for modes of preparing for i market, since modes differ in different sections. —A. C. McPherson, in Farm and Home.

GRAY AFRICAN GEESE.