396 
The Australasian Book of Poultry. 
providing plenty of grit and ground oyster shells while they are laying. Mark each egg laid, with the variety 
and breeding pen from which it is produced, so ihat it will be a guide as to which are the most prolific layers, 
and also which gander fertilises the eggs best, thus securing the best layers for future operations the following 
year as breeding stock. It is a fact that by studied selection, and careful breeding of Geese for a few years 
it is possible to double the egg-productive capabilities. A few years back thirty eggs per annum was about 
all expected from a good goose, but now double that number is nearer the average per goose during the 
breeding season, and instances have been known where African Geese have averaged over one hundred eggs 
each per season. 
The first eggs laid are invariably the most valuable ones, and can be universally depended upon to 
produce the largest and most vigorous goslings. The eggs should be set as quickly as possible, as tiie 
fresher the eggs the stronger the goslings will be that are hatched. These may be set under broody hens, 
placing from five to seven eggs under her, according to the size of the hen. If a goose desires to sit after^ 
laying one batch of eggs, she should be taken away from her nest and broken off her broodiness, afterwards 
returning her to the family pen, when she will commence laying again. It is then wise to allow her to 
incubate the second time she becomes broody, giving her a portion of the last batch of eggs laid. It is best 
to test the eggs after being set upon for a fortnight. This is a good guide as to what are profitable geese and 
which not, and if one goose lays a poor average of fertile eggs she is better marketed, but if a large proportion 
are fertile never dispose of her. The oldest are the best as long as they lay, and if mated with ganders 
from two to six years old no fear is likely to arise on the score of infertility. Young goslings should 
not be taken from the nest until they are thirty-six hours old ; they should then be placed on a grass run 
where the grass is young and tender, placing boards around the coop, so as to make a small pen to confine 
them within bounds for two or three days, afterwards letting them roam about, giving them ample food, 
consisting of meal, pollard, and beef scraps, and preventing them having access to deep water, feeding on all 
the grain food they will eat until the flight feathers reach the base of the tail, then confining them in a small, 
dry enclosure, free from grass, and which is well shaded. It is necessary, in managing goslings, to avoid 
frightening them ; they should always be treated in a mild, gentle manngr, and ultimate success in rearing 
them' depends in a great measure on quietness in their surroundings. If they are startled and frightened 
they will rush from one side of the pen to the other, and this effectually prevents them putting on flesh as 
rapidly as wished. Goslings are extraordinarily sensitive, and remember ill-treatment. 
For about three weeks after confining them in the pen they should be fed with all the corn meal mixed 
with beef scraps they will eat in the morning, and at night whole corn ; the meal and scraps are best mixed 
with (^'^z'/z';/^ water into a crumbling mass, and should be placed in a trough, not thrown on the ground. 
They should be supplied with plenty of fresh, clean water to drink, and a plentiful supply of grit, sand, and 
charcoal placed where they can obtain at will. Three weeks of this treatment should fit them for market. 
Take them to the picking-room, sticking them in the mouth to kill and l)leed them ; pick them carefully, 
leaving the flight feathers and about half of the neck feathers unpicked ; plump the bodies into a tub of cold 
water until the animal heat is all gone, washing out the mouths, re-packing them in ice-cold water, letting 
them remain in all night, sending into customers or the market in the morning. If any are found not fat 
enough to kill at this age, they are best turned out again on the grass run with the younger broods, letting 
them run about for three weeks, placing them in the fattening pens again. It is compulsory, if early returns 
are desired, that they should be marketed before beginning to shed their feathers, as this stops their growth 
for a time, and they will become poor in spite of the most careful attention. 
The profit attached to systematic goose-raising is very great. Fully 75 per cent, of the eggs may be 
depended upon to hatch, and, bar accidents, there are few losses. One would just as soon think of losing a 
colt as a gosling. Geese, well fed and mated properly, should give, at the lowest average, about fifty eggs 
apiece, and show as much profit attached to their management as would be derived from any other source. 
Another item of profit not to be overlooked in goose-raising is the feathers, which, being easily cured, 
command a ready sale. The best plan to " cure " the feathers is to place them in a bag hung up in the sun 
