324 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



cies with regard to birds must at times be at fault. 

 If the home conditions surrounding them are especially 

 good, they may outdo their breed average very conspic- 

 uously ; for instance, an acquaintance of my own suc- 

 ceeds in getting good returns from young geese, in their 

 first year of breeding, and this not once only, but as a 

 rule. They breed well year after year; but they have 

 absolute freedom, water privilege, fine grass range, and 

 the kindliest treatment, even to affection. These things 

 do count, and they count doubly with geese. 



Embden Geese, about Four Months Old 



Young geese are usually mated in the fall. They 

 tend to mate in pairs. The young are best so mated. 

 In older stock it is customary to allow two, three, and 

 sometimes four females to each male. Once the birds 

 have accepted their mates, the matings are difficult to 

 break; indeed, virtually impossible, without locating the 

 birds out of sight and hearing of their former mates. 

 It is to be kept constantly in mind that change is the 

 one thing which the goose most abhors. She is a 

 creature of place and association and habit, and any 

 change in these upsets all her plan of life. 



