The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-22


leaves, cut clover or alfalfa. and a
little bran or whole gram occasion
ally. 1t is very easy for the breeding
stock to put on fat during the winter:
hence the advice u feed lots of vege-
tables. In severe climates if the flock
mas access to snow, it will be found
that more liberal diet will be needed,
as the snow tends TO reduce flesh.
Drinking water should be supplied
IN deep buckets if a crack or stream
is not available. The supply should
be kept as fresh as possible, as geese
quickly foul drinking vessels.
They will generally begin laying in
early spring, and if the weather is
cold it is advisable to remove the eggs
as soon as laid. Old barrels laid on
end or large shallow boxes may be
placed in sheds or in shady spots for
nests. A little straw should be sup
Piled and the goose will attend to the
rest. AS a percentage of the first
eggs are generally infertile, it is ad-
visable to set them under a common
hen, or even in an incubator.
Another reason why the writer fa-
vors common hens as mothers is, if
the goslings are to be marketed as
green geese" it will be found much
more profitable to use the hens for
Drooding purposes, as they eat con-
Slderably less than the parent geese.
The latter cannot be penned as hens
can-another disadvantage.
The eggs take from twenty-eight to
thirty days to hatch and when using
hens it is advisable to select one in
good condition if possible, owing to
the longer period of incubation. From
three to five eggs are enough, accord
ing to the size of the eggs and hen.
The eggs should be moistened daily.
and washed if soiled. The writer
used to remove the hen daily and dip
each egg in warm water for a few
seconds from the fifth day EDWARDS
till pipping-time. To help the hens,
and also to save using so many, the
eggs can be run in an incubator for
a week, after which they may be test
ed and the fertile ones given to the
hens. AS soon as they hatch they
should be removed from the hen and
placed in warm box, otherwise they
may be smothered or checked by the
hen getting her foot across their
necks. They take longer to hatch
> under hens, so no alarm should be
evidenced il they take from one and
half to two days 60 emerge from the
shell after piping.
Goose eggs are more difficult to
hatch artihcially than duck or hen
eggs. A temperature of l02 degrees
on top of the eggs (touching) is
about right, and they should be mois-
tened by means of a damp cloth or
dipped in warm water quite frequently.
Moisture pans should be used also in
the bottom of incubator all through
the hatch. The temperature may be
allowed to run up to l04 towards the
finish, as this is generally indicative
of a good hatch. Care should be TAX
en- to remove moisture pans, so that
the goslings may not get wet if thev
properly drying off.
When geese are setting on the
eggs, it is advisable to place some
, grain and water handy to the nest,
and run on pasture is recommended
when they come off to feed. Examine
the eggs occasionally when the geese
are feeding Any eggs that are foul
/ ed should be washed in warm water
and fresh straw and nesting material
placed in the nest if needed.
Once the goslings are two or three
. days old, very little care is needed
They should be protected from heavy
rain storms for the first two or three
, weeks, and should always have access
to plenty of shade. If they are to be
marketed early, they should not be
allowed to swim. If with hen or in
a brooder, they should be given tend
, er shoots of grass or clover cut fine
the first two days, and milk (some
J skim or butter) to drink as we'll as
water. After this they should be al.
lowed more liberty on pasture, anc
should also be protected from the hot
? sun. If they are to be marketed as
green geese" they should at the enc
, of the first week be gradually fed q
wet mash. About twice day the first
. three or four weeks will be sufficient
The mash may consist of two parts
by weight, of bran, one shorts, anc
one barley or corn meal. Occasional
/ ly boiled oats, or barley can be given
' The writer had excellent results will
! wheat boiled in skim milk. Care
should be taken to see that they ge
, an abundance of succulent green fooC
/ as we'll, or else they will go "off theil
} feet" and lose flesh. AS much range
| as possible should be given. Gri
2 and she'll should be mixed in the masl
/ every two or three days.
/ After the first few weeks the masl
! may be changed to two-thirds barle!
+ or corn meal and one-third bran
Never separate the goslings willis
growing, or they will fret and pine
r losing flesh at great rate. WheI
s killing, which should be at from |.
Z to IA weeks, it is advisable to xii
E them all on the one day, to save tn
a shrinkage mentioned above. A weigh
4 of from 10 to II lbs, can be secure'
' if proper care and attention is given
{ Special care should be taken agains
e scares by cats, dogs, brooding hens
/ etc, as the goslings are very timi
( when raised by hens or brooder.
d When reared by geese, little atten
| Al, 80