DUCKS AND GEESE 387 
well for the market. The skin is dark, and this unfavor- 
able color is not improved by the presence of down and 
pin feathers which are usually very hard to remove. 
14. Rearing the goslings.—Little goslings are very 
dainty eaters at first. During the first few days bread 
crumbs, soaked in milk or water and squeezed nearly dry 
are very good and are relished. This feed may be given 
three or four times a day with plenty of water to drink. 
The drinking fountain should be arranged so the goslings 
cannot wet more than their bills. During the second 
week a mash of equal parts ground oats, bran and corn 
meal, mixed with hot water, may be fed cold five times a 
day and _ continued 
until the goslings are 
a month old. After the 
first few days they 
may have the freedom 
of a small pen where 
there is plenty of 
grass, and when two 
weeks old, their range 
may be extended. Clover and alfalfa are especially good. 
ON THE WAY TO THE PoND 
When one month old the same mash may be used 
morning and evening, with perhaps a meal at noon. Some 
breeders prefer to feed the mash at morning and noon 
with cracked wheat at night. Until the goslings are 
fully feathered they should be kept out of water and only 
those intended for breeding should learn to swim. When 
two months old, feeding may be reduced to twice a day 
—soft feed in the morning and cracked corn or wheat, 
or a mixture of these two grains, at night. From this 
time forward the goslings may be allowed to roam at will. 
15. Goose and duck feathers.—There is probably less 
