CHAPTER Xin 

 Brooding and Rearing Goslings 



When the hatch is completed all the goslings 

 which have been removed from the nest should be 

 returned ; and the hen or goose removed to the coop 

 which she is to occupy while brooding them. At 

 this time, if hatched with a hen the goslings should 

 be examined carefully on the head and neck to see 

 whether there are any head lice present. If any are 

 found the heads and necks of the goslings must be 

 greased with a little lard or vaseline. Not too much 

 grease should be used as it may prove harmful to the 

 goslings. 



Methods of Brooding. The most common methods 

 of brooding goslings are the use of geese, of chicken 

 hens or of artificial means. Geese make the best 

 mothers but are not always available especially dur- 

 ing the early hatches. Geese may also prove rather 

 unruly when they have young and for this reason 

 are not in favor with some goose raisers. When 

 hatching is done simultaneously with geese and hens 

 it is the practice of some raisers to give all the gos- 

 lings hatched to the geese to rear. 



Hens can be used very successfully for rearing 

 goslings especially if they are confined to a coop for 



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