PROGRESSIVE POULTRY RAISING 



Geese 



THE Toulouse and Embden geese are by far the 

 most popular breeds for farm raising. The Toulouse, 

 which is gray in color, is the larger of the two, the 

 young gander weighing 20 pounds and the young goose 

 1 6 pounds. The adult gander weighs 26 pounds and the 

 adult goose 20 pounds. The Embdens are white geese 

 weighing 18 and 16 pounds for the young gander and 

 goose respectively while the adult male and female 

 weigh 20 and 18 pounds, if up to standard weight. 



Except in the most extreme weather no shelter is neces- 

 sary for geese. When some protection is necessary 

 usually a shed intended primarily for some other purpose 

 will be available. Geese should not be used for breeding 

 purposes until they are coming two years old though 

 the ganders may be used the first season and for several 

 seasons thereafter. For best results not more than two 

 geese should be mated to one gander. While goose eggs 

 may be artificially hatched and brooded, it is usually 

 found more satisfactory to hatch them under hens. 

 Hens used for hatching eggs should be carefully dusted 

 with sodium fluorid and given good care during the 

 hatching period as this lasts from 28 to 30 days. 

 Whether eggs are put in incubators or under hens they 

 should be sprinkled with warm water every day during 

 the first week. The first goslings should not be hatched 

 until the grass is green. When they are about due to 

 hatch if hens are used the eggs should be carefully 

 watched and the first goslings taken out as soon as they 

 hatch and wrapped in a woolen cloth and kept in a warm 

 place. They should be kept away from the nest until 

 the youngest goslings are several hours old, when they 

 may be given back to the hen. If this is not done the 

 hen is likely to become restless and leave the nest with 

 the older goslings before the late ones are strong enough. 



Page Forty-Five 



