The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-22
MANAGEMENT OF GEESE
]. r. Terry, Chief Poultry Inspector
British Columbia.
NORTHWEST Poultry TourpaN

fowls to handle. Where sufficient
green pasture and water are avail
able, this class of fowls can be kent
very cheaply in this province. As
yet, however, very few geese are be-
ing kept. Quite a large number of
cold-storage geese are imported into
the province during the winter months
to supply the demand. There is ap-
parertly no reason, outside of lack of
interest, why more geese should not
be bred.
Breeds of Geese.
The most profitable are the Toul-
ouse, Embden, African, Chinese. and
Canada, Cor wild) geese. Of the
above, the FIRST two breeds named are
the most popular. The standard
weights are: Adult ganders, 20 lbs !:
adult geese, 18 lbs; Young ganders,
18 lbs; geese, 10 lbs. The African
weights are as for the previous two
breeds. Actually, the weights of the
stock kept by the average farmer are
in most cases few pounds less than
standard requirements. The Chinese
geese are about 6 lbs. lighter per
bird than the others. The wild goose
averages about 10 to II lbs for gan
dClS anu o 10 ~ IDS. LOT geese,
Description of Breeds.
Toulouse, grey and while in color,
are probably the best layers of the
three heavy breeds; not such good
mothers as the Embden. Ordinarily
they do not mate as early in the year
as the South African and Embdens,
and will generally mate with less fe-
males than the other two breeds. For
the production of green geese or Cos
lings for early market they are per-
haps not quite so good as the others,
for, although the goslings attain a
large size, they are not quite SO rapid
in Pumping" However, when the
earliest or first eggs are fertile, the
additional goslings will eventually
prove them as profitable as the other
breeds.
The Embden, or Bremen geese, are
pure white in plumage, are fair lay
ers and splendid sitters and mothers.
Like the Toulouse, the ganders are
rather slow in mating, and early in
the season infertile eggs are often
laid The goslings, however, are quick
growers, plump" we'll, and make ex-
cellent green geese" They are gen.
orally tanner than the other breeds.
Another advantage is the fact that the
white feathers fetch more per pound
than the grey or brown.
The African geese, which are dis
tinguished by the protuberance or
knob" between or just below the
eyes, are of greyish-brown plumage,
and more pugnacious than the other
breeds. They mate early, and on the
average the geese will lay more fertile
eggs than the others. They are nearly
as good layers as the Toulouse, and
their young grow fast and will be
ready to market quite as early as the
Embden. In some localities African
ganders are mated with either the
Toulouse or Embden for producing
quick growing goslings. The ganders
will also mate with more geese.
The Chinese geese, both varieties
brown and white, also have the
"knobbed" head. They, especially
the white, lay a large number Of
eggs. Instances have been known Of
geese of the white variety laying as
many as sixty eggs during the season
This breed is not so hardy as the other
three mentioned are are more noisy
They have a very shrill piercing cal
make fair green geese" but are much
smaller than the others. Like the Al
rican, the dark pin-feathers are dis
advantage in the brown variety.
The Canada geese have dark-grey
plumage, with white collar" just
below the head. They are sometimes
crossed with the other breeds, and
produce a very plump hybrid gosling
They are very tame when homestead
ed, and if kindly treated, will follow
the attendant around whenever pos
sible The goslings are generally
very hardy, and at from to lbs
weight are as plump as a grouse. The
geese lay from three to seven eggs
depending upon age. They are ex
cellent for watching purposes at night
and will emit their "honk, honk" a
sound of any unusual noise. They
should of course, be pinioned, or on'
wing be clipped close instead.
Perhaps the best way to start will
geese is to purchase mature stock a
least ito years old-a year or two
older the better. Young geese viii
lay the first season. but if bred thu
progeny are liable to be weak ant
unthrifty When starting, one shoul(
purchase in the fall, as oftentime
geese will not breed if moved at thei
breeding time.
Mating.
Some ganders will mate with four o
five females, but the writer consider
it safer to mate not more than thre'
to each gander. Some ganders ar
even disposed to pair, 1t is not
good practice to introduce new gees
to the flock at breeding time, as the,
are most likely to be summed by tn
males. If gamblers fight, it may b
advisable to separate the Hooks ..
breeding season. Geese breed better
able to have access to shallow pom
or stream.
Housing.
Excepting in very cold climates
geese need very little shelter, an
-. e H., 90, he restrained by