214 THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



For fattening, geese are usually penned up in September or October 

 after spending the summer on pastures and stubblefields. When operat- 

 ing on a large scale, about 100 geese are placed in an inclosure of about 

 100 square meters, so located that the prisoners can not see nor hear their 

 companions that are still roaming at large. The real fattening is usually 

 preceded by a preparatory period of two weeks during which they are 

 fed on chopped carrots. Owing to the watery nature of carrots, drink- 

 ing water is usually withheld. A certain amount of sandy clay is admin- 

 istered to stimulate digestive activity. The fattening proper begins with 

 the third week. If the stubble pasture has been very good, the prepara- 

 tory period is sometimes omitted. Oats and barley are the chief or 

 only feeds. They are fed either in the form of a mixture throughout 

 the process, or oats are fed exclusively at the beginning and corn alone 

 at the closing period. Barley, as compared with oats, produces a hrmer 

 quality of fat, which is very desirable in geese. It is absolutely neces- 

 sary to make the change from the vegetable to the grain diet very grad- 

 ually. Every week one additional feed of vegetables or beets is withdrawn 

 and grain substituted. Sometimes corn or boiled potatoes and peas with 

 or without barley meal or crushed carrots are substituted for the full grain 

 method of fattening. To stimulate the appetite 2 gm. of common salt 

 and 1 gm. of ground black pepper are added to each feed, per individual 

 goose. The addition of ^ gm. of antimony to favor the development of 

 fatty livers is a common practice. Water and sandy clay are provided 

 to be taken ad libitum. The fattening period should be completed in 

 one month. 



VIII. Rations for Rabbits 



During the first three weeks the newborn rabbits are nourished with 

 the milk of the dam. After this period they should have sweet skim 

 milk, green stuff with the addition of hay, followed with carrots and 

 beets. Grass ranges, inclosed with wire, are recommended. At the age 

 of 3 months the sexes should be separated. Males should be kept singly 

 or in pairs. They may be bred at the age of 6 to 8 months. 



Young rabbits should be fed four times a day; later on only three 

 times, and when mature two feeds may suffice. The usual feed consists 

 of green stuff, carrots, boiled potatoes, and potato pealings with bran. 

 The addition of prepared chalk, phosphate of lime and common salt is 

 recommended. Hay should be provided in addition to grass and other 

 green stuff. The evening meal should be a little heavier than the morn- 

 ing feed. Grain (oats and barley) is necessary for pregnant or nursing 

 females only. Skim milk and water may also be given during the nursing 

 period. Otherwise the supply of water is adjusted according to the 

 water content of the rations. If green feed or other succulents are fed 

 exclusively, water is usually dispensable. To avoid waste of feed, hay 

 racks are convenient. 



