The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-23
DAIRY AND POULTRY.
INTERESTING CHAPTERS FOR
OUR RURAL READERS.
How Successful Farmers Operate This
Department of the Farm-A Few
Hints as to the Care OF Live Stock
and Poultry.
Fodder Crops for Geese.

food, probably greater variety than
any other class of poultry. In a wild
state they do not usually stray far
from some body of water, except in
their migratory Journeys, and then
some lake, pond or river is selected
as a place of rest from flight and to
obtain food. Aquatic plants and roots,
with worms and insects dug out of the
mud in shallow waters, AMI probably
some tender heritage growing along
the shores, constitute the food of the
wild goose. 1t can hardly be said to
subsist by grazing, as it depends large
~ upon water for both food and pro-
lection. The domestic goose, however,
like the sheep, is an epicure respecting
tender grasses and juicy fodder
plants. After the breeding season is
past, the old stock, which only re-
qu1res to be kept in good store con-
dltlon until the approach of another
breeding season, can be economically
kept by combining them to a pasture,
where they can easily obtain most of
their living by grazing. They should
nave access to water at all times, and
a little dry corn occasionally is &C
eeptable. If the supply of grass is
scanty, more grain should be fed or,
better, they may be supplied with
greenfoods, cultivated for the purpose,
after the manner Of growing soiling
crops for feeding cattle BY this method
people with comparatively small areas
OF land may grow large flocks of Cos
llhgs' contining them upon a limited
area, and cultivating fodder crops to
De cut and fed to them day by day. Or
Uney can be confined upon the grow
ing crops by the use of movable fences.
When the crop is eaten sufficiently
close the fence is moved to a new
area, and the vacated lot allowed to
grow up for a second feeding, or the
land plowed and planted to a new
crop.
AS almost no ground was available
Ior pasturage near the poultry yards,
preparations were made early in the
spring for growing some fodder crops
as green food for the goslins. Oats, both
with and without Canada peas, were
soWn as early as possible, at the rate
OF about four bushels of oats and one
OF peas per acre, so as to get a thick
stand. When the grain was three or
four inches high the goslings were
hurdled upon it, using at first wire
netting one foot high, held in place by
iron rods to confine them. Water and
sharp sand, thoroughly wet. were kent
constantly by them, and they were fed
soaked cracked corn, at intervals of
TWO hours, when quite small. and less
frequently as they grew older. The
oats were always before the peas. and
unless the crop was fed very closely |
the peas would remain untouched |
When the oats are young the goslings
should be changed from place to place |
requentlgs4so that the lOots of the
pats will not be killed by too close
FEEDING. A succession of oats can he
lad by making several sowings at in
-erVals of week. Green oats are ca
serly eaten by large goslings or old
geese, as long as the stems have not
.urned yellow and grown fbrous and
.ough.
The first green food in the spring
AN be supplied by fall sown rye. hut
srass seems to be preferred by COS
lngs If obtainable. Sown after rye
'egins to joint or send up seed stalks
becomes hard and tough, and Is not
Cabbage, turnips and sweet
orn are excellent soiling crops for
reese. Sweet corn, sufficiently adj
'anced to be in the roasting ear stage
viii be almost or quite deyoured when
ca at night to geese in pens. ONLY
mall pieces. of the largest and hard.
st butts will remain uneaten 9n6-
aNan grass or millet was tried br+
dld not appear to be Felished at anv
tage OF its growth. The very sa+is :
aetory plants used were sorghum and
Essex rape. ''-iN
Inc young goslings eagerly ate the :
caves OF the Dwarf Essex rape and
lade excellent growth when brrdlad :
pom it. AS soon as the gn Ie1 =
ngs are removed to another nIaoo +bo =
ape plants begin Immediately .to GROW ;,
new supply of leaves, and tbns the :
rop can be repeatedly grazed, if the
urdling is properly done.
A wire fence two feet high, held in Y
lace by double pointed iron rods i
laue IN the shape of the letter h. with f
lie top portion much higher is Tsod II
y connning the goslings. The +Uo il
olnts OF the rod are about ter iroboD q
ng' and are thrust into the ground IlC0 Ii
lie point of the tall portion heinz $,
rust through the lower edge of the a,
ire FENCING, while the upper edeo - II
sld by notch in the top Of the rod :" h
course different lengths of rods -NI, "
ust be used for different widths Jus US q
ncing. "iu'ns OF u
Cabbages make excellent food o.. =,