The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-05-19

Pasturage Is essential to the sue
cesSful raising of geese, according 10
Farmers Bulletin No. 7G7, recently is
sued by the United States department
of agriculture.
The industry is at present on the
basis of small flocks raised or general
farms. few, if any, farms being devot-
ed entirely to goose raising. In some
producing sections, however, the tat
tening of geese is conducted as 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 q profit, says
the bulletin, on farms where there Is
low rough pasture land with natural
supply of water. Geese are generally
quite free from disease and all insect
nests. but occasionally are affected Dy
the diseases common to poultry. Grass
makes I'D the bulk of the feed fol
geese. and it is doubtful whether II
paws to raise them unless good grass
range is available. A body of Watel
where they can swim is considered es
sential during the breeding season an(
is a good feature during the rest OF th'
wear. The market for geese is not 81
general as for chickens. This shoult
be considered in undertaking the rails
ing of geese. The demand ana I'M
price paid for geese are usually goo'
| in sections where goose fattenng Il
conducted on a large scale. Man.
geese are kept in the South for tn
production of feathers rather than TO
their flesh, but the demand for thei
| feathers is not so 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 tn
weeds in the cotton fields.
Houses.
Except in winter or during storm
weather when some protection Shout
be provided, mature geese do not usu
ally need a house. Some kind of she
ter, such as a shed open on the sout
side, q poultry house, or barn is usr
ally provided by breeders in the Mort
and is used by many in the Souti
Coops, barrels, or some other dry she
ter should be provided for young go'
lings. The goose houses should b
kept clean and plenty of clean stra'
provided for the floor.
Geese, like other kinds Of poultr.
should be selected for size, prolificac
and vitality. They should be mate
several months prior to the breedln
season and obtain the best results
therefore breeding stock should
bought in the fall. Goose matings al
not changed from year to year unie'
the results are unsatisfactory. A gal
der may be mated with from one
four geese, but pair or trio mating
usually give the best results. The wi
gander usually mates with only OF
| goose. w men lldleu, SSeSt arc oiAo"N
TO run in flocks. From five to twent
five geese may be kept on an acre
land, and under most conditions t.
is a fair average.
Incubation.
Geese are fed a ration to produ
eggs during the latter part of the wi
ter or so that the gOslings Will
Matched by the time there is good gra
pasture. They are allowed to NAL
nests on the floor of the house,
large boxes, barrels or shelters a
provided for that purpose. The eg
should be collected daily and kept
cool place where the contents W
not evaporate too freely; if kept f
some time they may be stored in loo
bran. The first eggs are usually S
under hens. while the last ones viii
the goose lays may be Matched eth
under hens or under the goose II S
goes broody. If the eggs are not
moved from the nest in which t
goose is laying she will usually st
LAYING sooner than if they are tax
away. Some breeders prefer to raj
all the goslings under hens, as gee
sometimes become difficult to mana
when allowed to hatch and rear tn
young. Hens used for Matching goo