326 THE BEGINNER IN POULTRY 



Goose farmers in a large way may feel that it is a 

 waste of time to incubate the eggs under hens. In such 

 case, they set the geese on the ground where they have 

 laid, and take the precaution to place a coop or perhaps 

 a lath rack over the sitter to ward off interference from 

 the other birds. Turkey hens also are said to make 

 excellent mothers for goslings — about a dozen eggs form 

 a nestful for these. Even where nests are on the ground, 

 some sprinkling is often done during the last two or 

 three days. This is better than helping the goslings out 

 of the shell, because safer. 



When the geese are used as hatchers it is necessary 

 to know their ways. The incubating goose or brooding 

 goose permits no human interference and is but a vicious 

 animal towards any who may be considered enemies, 

 though tenderness itself to her young. She may not 

 feed them, but both she and the male will exercise 

 exceeding care for their protection. The hiss of the 

 mother goose is a warning ; if not heeded it is quite 

 likely to be followed by attack, and the unwary foe is 

 rather sure to be the greatest sufferer in a battle. The 

 blow of a goose's wings may leave its mark on tender 

 flesh for six months or even more. 



While it is to be insisted that grass is the main food 

 for geese, two light feeds of barley or oats a day are a 

 part of the handling of some expert breeders, from 

 January to May. They say that by this means the goose 

 which would naturally lay but one " clutch," may be 

 induced to lay four times as many. Lavish feeding is, 

 however, not to be advised, and though meat will in- 

 crease the laying, it sometimes injures the birds, which 

 may then produce imperfect eggs. This simply means 



