DUCKS AND GEESE 



punching various combinations of holes in the webs 

 between the toes at the time the goslings are 

 hatched. 



Considerations in Making the Mating.* In mak- 

 ing the mating in breeding geese it must be kept in 

 mind that it is of primary importance to select the 

 breeders first of all for size, prolificacy and vitality. 

 Without these qualities no matter what else the 

 breeding geese may be there is scant chance of sat- 

 isfactory results. Having selected birds which are 

 of suitable size and vitality those should then be 

 utilized for breeding which approach most nearly 

 both in type and color to the requirements as given 

 in the Ameriacn Standard of Perfection. As a rule, 

 a new mating can be made by taking the birds se- 

 lected and shutting them up together in a pen away 

 from the other birds and out of sound of the voices 

 of their former mates. As a rule about a month of 

 this treatment will suffice to bring about the new 

 matings desired and the birds can then be allowed 

 to range at liberty. 



Some ganders are very troublesome about mat- 

 ing. This is particularly true as they get older. In 

 some cases it is impossible to get ganders to mate at 

 all while frequently they will refuse to mate with 

 more than one goose. As a rule, matings once made 



♦For a more detailed description of the principles of breed- 

 ing: as applied to poultry and which is equally applicable to 

 greese, the reader is referred to "The Mating and Breeding of 

 Poultry" by Harry M. Lamon and Rob R. Slocum, published 

 by the Orange Judd Publishing Co., New York, N. Y. 



154 



