276 Farm Poultry 



and small heads. They, of course, retain the voice 

 of the wild geese, which adds to their attractiveness. 



GEESE FOOD AND CARE 



The first food for young goslings in nature is 

 grass, and breeders prefer to provide this for the 

 young of the domesticated geese. Grass at pas- 

 ture is recommended. Moistened corn meal is 

 also recommended. Grit in the form of sand or 

 fine gravel should be provided. Cooked vege- 

 tables make an excellent food and may be fed 

 in the form of a mash. Bran, middlings, and corn 

 meal, mixed with cooked vegetables, are highly 

 recommended. As with ducks and chickens, it 

 has been found best to give some animal food. 

 Animal meal mixed with the moistened corn 

 meal is recommended for young geese by 

 many breeders. The food of breeding geese should 

 consist chiefly of natural food gathered from the 

 pasture. Insects, snails, and other primal life 

 are then consumed. If animal food is not abundant, 

 it may be supplied artificially to good advantage 

 in the form of animal meal. It is essential to per- 

 mit breeding geese to roam at will over areas of 

 considerable size. For fattening geese, it is a gen- 

 eral practice to confine them somewhat closely 

 in order to prevent them from taking too much 

 exercise. Europeans, who have become so noted for 



