FEEDING PRACTICES AND APPLIANCES 405 



It is usually difficult, and sometimes impossible, to dis- 

 tinguish between the sexes in young birds. Their coloring 

 is alike, and when young there is no dependable difference 

 in size or general appearance. When mature the gander is 

 usually somewhat larger, and his voice is shrill and fine, 

 while the voice of the female is more coarse and harsh.^ 



Geese lay from twenty to thirty eggs in a season if not 

 allowed to set. Boxes and barrels should be placed in secluded 

 spots where they will be somewhat hidden by brush. The 

 geese will usually take to them if they are secluded enough, 

 and thus save considerable trouble in locating the nests. 

 Each goose prefers her own nest, and an ample number 

 should be provided. 



Feeding Goslings. — Goslings should be fed carefully for the 

 first week or ten days, after which time they will secure most 

 of their feed if allowed the run of a good pasture. The 

 rations fed by different raisers vary in composition, but all 

 are agreed in feeding only a mash. This may consist of 

 corn meal, to which is added 10 per cent, meat scrap or 6 

 parts corn meal, 6 parts shorts, and 1 part meat scrap. 

 Either of these rations should be moistened to a crumbling 

 consistency with milk or water. The amount of feed neces- 

 sary, however, will be quite limited if the birds have good 

 pasture. 



Noodled Geese. — -A new industry that is developing in some 

 sections, notably about Watertown, Wis., is the production 

 of noodled geese. By this, reference is made to the method 

 of fattening by means of "noodles." 



The noodles, which comprise practically the entire ration, ' 

 are made as follows:^ They consist of different mixtures, 

 largely low-grade flour, corn meal, sifted barley meal, and 

 oat meal. This is mixed into a stiff batter with milk or water 

 and run through an old-fashioned sausage press. As it comes 

 from the press it is cut up into links two to three inches long 

 with a pair of shears. These links constitute the noodles, 



' A small dog introduced into a flock of geese will usually send the geese 

 flying, while the ganders stand their ground. 



^ For this information the author is indebted to Prof. J. G. Halpin, of 

 the University of Wisconsin. 



