1/2 



OUR DOMESTIC BIRDS 



FIG. 149. Goslings three or four 

 days old 



combined and the flock allowed the run of any place where it 



can graze unmolested. A shelter should be provided for protec- 

 tion from the sun, and a roomy 

 coop with a dry floor to keep 

 them in at night. If allowed 

 to do so, they would stay out 

 and graze at intervals during 

 the night, but the owner will 

 sleep more comfortably if he 

 is sure that nothing can dis- 

 turb them. Although very big 

 babies, they are quite soft and 

 helpless at this stage. When 



six weeks old a gosling is nearly half-grown. Young goslings 



that were started with hen 



mothers may then be put into 



the pasture with the old geese. 



When ten or twelve weeks old 



they will be almost as large as 



the adult birds. 



FIG. i co. Goslings three weeks old 



In growing geese on the 



farm'the most important thing is to provide good pasture. Grass 



is not only the most econom- 

 ical food, but it is the best 

 food. Geese will grow and 

 fatten on grass without grain, 

 but will not fatten as quickly 

 or be as firm-fleshed. To fatten 

 for market they should be con- 

 fined for from ten to twenty 

 days before they are to be 



FIG. 151. Goslings nine weeks old ^^ ^ fed ^ ^ they 



will eat of some very fattening food. Corn soaked in water 

 until it is soft is an easily prepared food and a very good one. 



