RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 237 



and shell continuously. In fact, he has never found it necessary except with a 

 few feeds at first, and thereafter at rare intervals if ducks showed symptoms 

 of leg weakness. 



RATIONS FOR GEESE 



33. Ration for goslings (p?i pasture). First day, grass only ; after that, two 

 or three feeds daily of mash or scalded cracked corn. If confined to grassless 

 yard or on tough grass which they do not relish, feed, with several grain foods 

 daily, all the succulent green food that they will eat. 



This ration as given for birds on pasture is that used in the goose-growing 

 section of Rhode Island. Compare it with ration i for chicks and ration 28 

 for young turkeys. 



34. Fattening rations for goslings . After six weeks, feed corn meal, I part ; 

 bran, i part, all that the birds will eat, three times a day. For geese reared on 

 pasture, with light feeding of grain until three or four months old, goose 

 fatteners use a mash of all corn meal, feeding this for four or five weeks. 



35. Ration for breeding geese (on pasture). One or two light feeds of grain, 

 or a feed of mash and one of grain daily. When pasture is not available, feed 

 one mash and one grain feed daily, and supply liberally with vegetables and 

 green stuff. 



There is essentially no difference between such rations and those used for 

 fowls, ducks, and turkeys. In every case the feeder supplies approximately a 

 common standard grain ration, with a little animal food and some green food. 

 The birds balance their own rations, as far as quantities permit. Unless the 

 food supply is very deficient in some kind of food, they keep in good (if 

 not perfect) condition, and soon get in condition after they begin laying. In 

 grazing, geese (even more than fowls and ducks) will take the roots of grass 

 and many plants after the supply of tops is exhausted. 



36. Swans may be fed the same as geese. Being grown in small numbers 

 on ponds and lakes, they are usually left much to themselves. They secure 

 food from the water, being very destructive of small fish and other creatures 

 found in the water. When such supplies of food are insufficient they may be 

 fed grain mashes or stale bread, a most convenient food for them in many cases. 



