534 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



Mating. — ^As a rule three geese are mated to one gander, but 

 in the case of very large specimens it is sometimes better to 

 mate two geese to one gander. It is well to start this mating in 

 the autumn, for geese are rather eccentric creatures, and require 

 some time before they become accustomed to new surroundings 

 and settle down to work in earnest. They also make strong 

 companionships, and will pine and worry for weeks at the loss 

 of a mate. 



It is usually more economical to keep geese in one large flock, 

 in preference to several small flocks, particularly if they have to 

 be driven to pasture. When the ganders are admitted to the 

 flock for the first time, and they are to be mated one to three, 

 each gander will select his three wives to whom he will remain 

 devoted for years. One of these three will probably receive the 

 most attention, however, and will be his chief consort in their 

 ramblings. 



Laying. — Young geese usually commence laying in February, 

 and the older ones in March, although if the weather is unusually 

 mild they will start a month earlier. During the winter months, 

 preparatory to this breeding season, the stock should not be 

 allowed to become too fat, for an over-fat condition is not con- 

 ducive to either productiveness or fertility. So long as there is 

 pasture for them, they require very little grain. 



When pasture is not to be had, and they are fed a grain diet, 

 the greater part of this ration should be soft food, such as bran, 

 middlings, corn meal and so on, with a little beef scrap. At 

 least ten per cent of the bulk of this food should be green stuffs 

 of some kind, either parings, cooked vegetables, or steamed 

 clover or alfalfa. It should be moistened by skimmed milk or 

 water. Grit and oyster shells are kept before them at all times 

 the same as for chickens. Most breeders feed the soft food in 

 the early morning, and a light feeding of cracked corn at night. 



Broodiness. — ^The goose usually lays an egg every other day, 

 until from ten to fifteen eggs have been laid, when she will 

 become broody. As soon as this inclination presents itself, the 

 goose should be removed from the nest and her maternal in- 



