Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-05-29
BREEDING GEESE.
Some Points ON Feeding and Sitting
and the Care of GnsIinrs


Some Points ON Feeding and Sitting
and the Care of Goslings.
In answer to queries received by the
American Poultry Journal and referred
to Mrs. B. #. Hislop that lady writes:
We have never raised geese by con
filming the flock to a certain amount OF
ground and can hardly say how many
birds could be accommodated on two
and a half to four acres the entire sea
son through, but If the land is kept
producing all the grass or other green
forage it will there could be quite q
flock kept in this space, but there is
One thing sure-to get the best returns
from geese they should at all times
have an abundance of green food dur
ing the warm season or while the stock
is breeding and the young stock grow
ing. Old geese can rough it and can
stand very short rations in the winter
and we really believe that they are bet
ter breeders ON account of it, although
we give our birds quite good care since
we became interested in the fancy,
Were we to start, as your correspond
ent proposes, we should start with
about two pens, not more than three
I say ''pens" because one has better
success all around by mating one male
with from two to four females before
the mating season commences.
After all the eggs are set the first
two clutches are all a big breeder can
afford to set, as late ones require too
much care. The old birds can then be
run in one flock, saving room and trou-
Bile. The number of goslings raised
from one goose is affected SO much by
conditions that we can hardly give any
certain number as q rule. If there is
an average of twelve, we should con-
slider it excellent. The most we have
ever raised was seventeen. We had
five others that we let die by not
knowing how to care for the late
Matched ones, but we only had one fe-
male mated to the male. This was not
because we think single mating is the
best, but because there Is always bet
ter success with a small flock. This is
true of all domestic fowls. We would
sow clover, as it is hardy and produces
abundantly, but mixed with other
grasses we find that blue grass as a
body makes the best pasture. Water
grass and wild rice will no doubt be
fine for the pool.
The goslings, unless the weather is
warm, should be permitted to swim in
the pool. They may be kept within
bounds by fence of wire netting one
and half to two feet high, or a twelve
inch board will pen them till they
are big. We do not approve of keep
ing them in close quarters after they
are ten days or two weeks old. Exer-
else is good for them as well as other
fowls, although they can be reared
with very little. In such cases, how
ever, the vigor is not all that it should
be. The goslings may be driven or coax
ed anywhere and are so easily handled
that in case of rainstorm they can
be driven to shelter and will most
likely seek it themselves if taught to
w 81. OulSdtHCIGu SOoiidSO SohaO'
stand much rain. Do not feed grain
till the young are three days old, but
see that they are well supplied with
green food. drinking water and grit,
During this period we feed them corn
bread or mash.
We have never set goose eggs in an
incubator, but would give chicken
hen six or seven goose eggs that would
ordinarily cover fifteen hen eggs. In
starting, a breeder is supposed to start
with good. vigorous birds. Females
should be two years old if he wishes
to raise quite number Of goslings from
each goose. The birds should be given
care, range. water. grit and a little
grain during the breeding season. The
females should not be permitted to sit
on the first clutch of eggs. The goose
is good sitter and good mother, but
we prefer to rear the young with the
domestic hen. We presume that a
brooder would be just as satisfactory,
If properly managed and cleaned, but
cleaning it would be quite a chore.
Besides, they only require mother for
short period. Generous feeding after
the young once get thoroughly started
is the making of a goose.