116 California Poultry Practice 



poured around the nest to create a steam. Be careful that it does 

 not touch the eggs or the goose. 



When allowed to sit her own eggs out the goose will usually lay 

 from twelve to fifteen eggs, though there are cases where a goose 

 lays twenty and over before sitting, but these are exceptions. A 

 goose is generally good for one hundred eggs in a season, but they 

 won't all be laid in time enough to hatch. However, they are good 

 to use in cooking and one will go as far as six hen eggs in making 

 cake, crullers, etc. 



If goose eggs are to be hatched by hens, see that the hen is well 

 supplied with good, nourishing food during her incubation and kept 

 strictly free from lice. Treat the eggs as recommended for duck 

 eggs hatched by hens, that is, sprinkle at least two or three times a 

 week during the second and third week and every day during the 

 last week with warm water. Do this just before the hen returns to 

 the nest. The goose carries the water in her feathers to the nest. 



Feeding and Caring for the Goslings. — The treatment of ducks is 

 very applicable to goslings. Warmth is the first requisite; soft food 

 and warm water to drink for the first few days. A little bread soaked 

 in milk or some cracker crumbs make a good feed for the first few 

 days, but very little is eaten by them at all for three days. After 

 they begin to eat well, make a mash of one part stale bread soaked 

 in warm water, one part middlings, one part alfalfa meal and two 

 parts bran with five per cent beef scraps, a little coarse sand and a 

 pinch of salt. As they grow older, add corn meal and increase the 

 beef scrap until you are feeding twenty per cent of beef scrap and 

 two parts corn meal. If baker's bread can be bought cheap, that may 

 form a big share of the mash. Do not let the goslings get in water 

 if you want to sell as green geese; it hinders them from putting on 

 flesh. Give them water to drink in a dish that will reach up to the 

 eyes and always fill it at feeding time. That is all the water they 

 need for health. 



A little clean straw for a bed is about all they need at night if 

 the mother goose is with them, but if they are being raised by hand, 

 it is better to give them a good warm box and see that it has a wire 

 front to protect them from cats and other enemies. Also, and this is 

 the most important item in the rearing of goslings and it will pay 

 those who are interested to read and heed what is here said. Be sure 

 you provide a shelter from the sun, for hot sunshine kills young 

 goslings. 



Fevir Ailments. — Except cramps on account of being given cold 

 water or allowed to swim in it, I do not knovif of any ailments that 

 attack goslings. They have no lice, no roup, no canker, nothing but 

 just good wholesome health and if you will let them, they will attach 

 themselves to you or any member of your family like a pet dog and 



