The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1917-05-17

Pasiurage is essential 10 the sue
c.ssful raising Of geese, according to
Farmers Bulletin No. T67. recently is
sued by the United States department
Of agriculture.
The industry is at present on the
basis Of small flocks raised on general
farms, few, II any. farms being deyot-
ed entirely to. goose raising. In some
producing sections. however. the fat
teninT of geese is conducted as a spe-
cial business. For this business the
geese are collected from general
farms, usually over a large area. and
are fattened for several weeks before
being killed.
Geese can be raised in small num-
bers successfully and at a profit, says
the bulletin, on farms where there is
low rough pasture land with a natural
supply Of water. Geese are generally
quite free from disease and all insect
pests. but occasionally are affected by
the diseases common to poultry. Grass
makes up the bulk OF the feed for
geese, and 1t IS doubtful whether 1t
pays TO raise them unless good grass
range is available. A body Of water
where they can swim is considered es-
sential during the breeding season and
Is n good feature during the rest Of the
year. The market for geese is not so
general as for chickens. This should
be considered in undertaking the rails
ing of geese. The demand and the
price paid for geese are usually good
in sections where goose fattening is
conducted on a large scale. Many
geese are kept in the South for the
production Of feathers rather than for
their flesh. but the demand for their
! feathers is not 50 good as it has been,
making the business less profitable.
Wherever possible. the geese on farm
should have free range. Many farm
ers in the South keep them TO kill the
weeds In the cotton fields.
Houses.
Except in winter or during stormy
weather when some protection should
he provided. mature geese do not usu-
ally need a house. Some kind of shell
/ ter, such as a shed open on the south
side, poultry house, or barn is usu'
I ally provided by breeders in the North
and is used by many in the South
CoopS, barrels, or some other dry shell
I ter should be provided for young gos.
/ lings. The goose houses should be
kept clean and plenty Of clean straw
provided for the floor.
Geese, Ike other kinds OF poultry
should he selected for size, prolificacy
I ands vitality. They should be mated
/ several months prior TO the breeding
season and obtain the best results
therefore breeding stock should be-
bought In the fall. Goose matings ar,
not changed from year TO year unles:
the results are unsatisfactory. A gan
der may be mated with from one tC
four geese. but pair or trio mating.
usually give the best results. The wild
gander usually mates with only on'
goose. When mated, geese are allowed
To run i'm flOcks. From five 10 twenty
five geese may be kept on an acre ot
land, and under most conditions ter
Is fair average.
Incubation.
Geese are fed ration to produc'
eggs during the latter part of the win
ter or so that the goslings will b.
hatched by the time there is good grrs,
pasture. They are allowed TO max,
nests on the floor OF the house, o
large boxes. barrels or shelters ar
provided for that purpose. The egg
should be collected daily and kept il
cool place where the contents vii
not eyaporate too freely; If kept 70
some time they may be stored in loos,
bran. The first eggs are usually se
under hens. while the last ones whicl
the goose lays may be hatched eithe
under hens or under the goose II sht
goes hrJody. II the eggs are not re
moved from the nest in which III
I goose is laying she viii usually stOl
laying sooner than ii they are takel
away. Some breeders prefer 10 rails
all the gosiinCs under hens, as gees
sometimes become difficult TO manag
when allowed 10 hatch and rear thei
young. Hens Usei Cor Matching gOOs
eggs must be busted with insect pow