Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-05-20
Leading Features in the
Breeding of Geese For
Feathers and Meat
Ease in Rearing Goslings,
Their Quick Growth and
Their Freedom From Di-
SeaSe
BY VI. l.. LOngfield

bA VI. -. AOuSHSiu
Author and Practical Poultryman.
The Emden is the general utility
breed. Ganders are good husbands
and protective fathers. Laying be-
gins i'm February. Hatching claims
the gravest Importance. Goslings are
thrifty and not menaced by disease.
grass and water, plus corn. Feathers
add to value. Waterfronts desir-
able but not necessary.
Every fowl has its staunch advo-
cate. Judging from the ratio reared
of various kinds, the goose stands
third in popular estimation. In con-
sideration of its intrinsic qualities, this
is surprising. OF all poultry, the
goose is hardest. 1t runs the gamut
of temperature extremes in the tenn
perate climate undisturbed. Where
as chickens, guineas and turkeys must
be environed with watchful care lest
disease assail. The gosling early
achieves independence. OF all the
ills TO which the former are heirs, it
claims no inheritance. Pip, gapes,
roup, cholera and their kind pass by
the gosling. 1t is because it is a
genuine vegetarian? Provide the gos-
ling with water, a good range and
home at night, and it is happily suf-
ficient unto itself. Nothing else out
such seven-league boots. as the gos-
ling. Today it greets you, fresh from
the shell, a plump, talkatiVe, respon-
sive bunch of golden down; next week
a faded, gawky creature wobbles to
meet you. clumsy, yet still trustful
and friendly.
There is something substantial and
practical about the goose, certain re-
liability that should commend 1t to
poultry raisers apart from its profit
able aspect. The fiighty guinea and
the irresponsible turkey at times try
the poultry raisers soul sorely. The
goose, quiet and capable with her
healthy brood after the first few
weeks, is dependable and trustworthy.
In goose-raising, as much import
ance attaches to the selection ia va
riety as with chickens. The demand
of the nearest market usually swings
the decision. In New York, Phila-
delphia and Baltimore, the white COM
mand best prices alive. Consequent
Iy, nearby sections favor a breed of
this color. OF the seven varieties,
three are most common. The large
Toulouse is prolific, but its gray feath-
ers are inferior. The Chinese goose,
slender and white, or perhaps brown,
with knobbed bill, is noisy and small.
The Emden seems to be the general
utility" breed, for besides it's abundant
thatch of white feathers, it weighs al
most as heavily as its gray relation,
the Toulouse.
Selecting the Breeders
A flock may NUMBER from three
geese and one gander to thirty geese
and ten ganders, dependent upon the
farmers resources in grass. The pre-
valent size numbers twelve, from
which the farmer may average sew
enty-five goslings. Flocks are as
sembled in December, likewise all
changes made therein. If young
geese are wanted, they should be TAX
en- from the first-hatched goslings. In
dividuals are selected for size, shape
liness and proportion. Young gan
ders and geese are distinguishable on
ly by experienced persons. The male
carries a high head on a long neck
and utters call not so shrill as that
of the goose. He may be larger also.
otherwise, no notable difference ex-
lists. In the laying season, when the
female develops dewlap, the sexes
are plainly apparent Breeders should
always be marked to insure them from
being mistaken for well-developed gos-
lings when the final separation takes
place in December.
Qualifications of Goose Mothers
When geese establish a reputation
as layers of large and many eggs, and
as sensible mothers, they are good
for long service. Some families rec
ord keeping certain geese for 20 years.
Few are permitted such longevity, but
it is possible and the elder mothers
are undeniably best.
After the flock is chosen and has
been tested. unnecessary alterations
are unwise. The goose that laws
small or deformed eggs. or proves to
be a frivolous parent, should be dis
posed Of. For various reasons, gan
ders are often changed, chiefly to inn
prove the stock and to increase the
size of the offspring. To introduce
one strange gander into the flock is
to invite dissension. The old ones
fay him pnmercifuly. The better
policy is to make a clean-sWeep Of all