1904.] 



Fattening Geese for Market. 



465 



large frame is required upon which flesh can be put when the 

 proper time comes. This may be about November 25th, since 

 geese take about three weeks to become thoroughly fat, and the 

 Christmas markets will be in full swing during the four or five 

 days following December 18th. 



The system of fattening practised by a goose farmer in the 

 North of Ireland may be described here as an example of 

 methods which have proved to be successful. When November 

 25th comes the geese are shut up in sheds for fattening, for 

 though they have been well fed for several weeks past, they 

 cannot be called " fat geese " until they have gone through a 

 special course of fattening, and if they were sent to a poulterer's 

 after any amount of stubble feeding, they would sell only as 

 " grass geese," and at unsatisfactory prices. While confined for 

 fattening, geese require plenty of fresh air but very little light, 

 and these conditions are provided by housing them in large,., 

 airy sheds, well ventilated, but without windows. Two of these 

 sheds, each 1 50 ft. long, are situated in a portion of the farm- 

 yard where the fattening geese are not likely to be disturbed by 

 the calling of the old geese or the cackling of other members of 

 the feathered tribe, as it is necessary that geese while confined 

 for fattening should be undisturbed. 



Preparatory to the fattening season, the sheds are thoroughly 

 cleaned and lime-washed, and the floors are covered over with a- 

 thick layer of cinders, ashes, and charcoal. This combination 

 forms the best of all kinds of bedding, for it is a fine absorbent 

 of moisture and a powerful deodorant. During the whole time 

 of fattening it is, moreover, not necessary to clean out the 

 bedding, but only to add a little fresh stuff every day. Thus 

 much labour is saved, and the manure is kept in good condition 

 till it can be removed to the pit. The floor is divided into 

 spaces 15 ft. by 10 ft., and each of these holds fifty geese. The 

 partitions are made of boards 2 ft. high. 



Troughs for feeding are arranged along the wails inside the 

 house, and troughs for watering outside in such a manner that 

 the birds can reach the water through a barred partition, but 

 cannot get into the water or splash it. Clean charcoal should 

 be put into the house every day, as it is eaten by the geese, and 

 serves as an appetiser and corrective. The value of charcoal in 



