356 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



large, to say nothing of the delay likely to occur 

 on account of the dislike for her new quarters. 



It is highly desirable to buy old rather than 

 young birds for breeding. No fear need be enter- 

 tained that old geese will not do well. Much more 

 may be expected of them than from old hens. Geese 

 are considered profitable until ten or even 15 years 

 of age, and ganders six or seven. For this reason 

 a breeding flock need not be increased from year to 

 year unless desired, and all the young progeny may 

 be sold as soon as it reaches marketable size. 

 Breeding stock may be purchased usually from $3 

 to $5 for each bird, or if eggs are desired from 25 

 to 50 cents each or $2.50 to $5 a dozen. 



SELECTING BREEDERS 



Since geese are not usually very prolific breeders 

 it is customary to remove the eggs as fast as laid 

 for hatching under hens. This keeps the goose 

 laying longer than she otherwise would. Incuba- 

 tors, as a rule, have not proved very satisfactory 

 for hatching goose eggs. Hens may be given from 

 four to seven eggs each, according to the season and 

 their size. Testing for fertility should be made on 

 the seventh or eighth day and infertile eggs re- 

 moved. Incubation generally last 30 days, al- 

 though sometimes longer. 



Since many hens do not take kindly to goslings 

 they must be closely watched when the goslings 

 are hatching, otherwise they may kill their foster 

 children. As soon as hatched, therefore, the gos- 

 lings should be removed to a box lined with flannel 

 and kept in a warm place. In a day or so they may 

 be given to quiet hens that do not object to them. 



