248 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



mental purposes. It resembles the Canadian goose in shape, 

 stands higher, and weighs 2 pounds less in each class. The 

 plumage on the back and body is gray and black with the 

 lower part of the body a pale buff or yellow color, penciled 

 with black. The breast is chestnut and gray and the tail is 

 black. The wings are of a glossy black with white shoulders. 



MANAGEMENT 



Geese can be raised 

 in small numbers suc- 

 cessfully and at a profit 

 on many farms, espe- 

 cially on low rough 

 pasture land having a 

 supply of water. Geese 

 need a house only dur- 

 ing cold or stormy 

 weather during which 

 time an open shed 

 should be provided. 

 The period of incuba- 

 tion of goose eggs varies 

 from 28 to 30 days. 

 Ordinarily goose eggs 

 are set under hens so 

 that the geese will con- 

 tinue laying eggs for a longer period. Geese that become 

 broody can usually be broken up by confining them in a 

 slat-bottomed coop for from 2 to 4 days. During this time 

 water can be provided, but no feed should be given. One 

 gander is usually mated to 1 or 2 geese. 



GUINEAS 



Guineas are becoming quite popular as a table fowl and 

 especially as a substitute for partridges, quail, and pheasants. 



Figure 241. — White Chinese goose. 



