8 
FARMERS * BULLETIN 767. 
and fattened for a few weeks before they are killed. Geese can be 
raised in small numbers successfully and at a profit on farms where 
there is low rough pasture land with a natural supply of water. 
Geese are generally quite free from disease and all insect pests, but 
occasionally are affected by the diseases common to poultry. Grass 
makes up the bulk of the feed for geese, and it is doubtful whether 
it pays to raise them unless good grass range is available. A body 
of water where they can 
swim is considered es¬ 
sential during the breed- 
ing season and is a good 
feature during the rest 
of the year. The market 
for geese is not so gen¬ 
eral as for chickens; 
this should be consid¬ 
ered in undertaking the 
raising of geese. The 
demand and the price 
paid for geese are usu¬ 
ally good in sections 
where goose fattening is 
conducted on a large 
scale. Many geese are 
kept in the South for 
the production of feath¬ 
ers rather than for 
their flesh, but the de¬ 
mand for their feathers 
is not so good as it has 
been, making the busi¬ 
ness less profitable. 
HOUSES. 
Fig. 5.—White Chinese gander. 
Except in winter or 
during stormy weather, 
when some protection 
should be provided, mature geese do not usually need a house. Some 
kind of shelter, such as a shed open on the south side, a poultry house, 
or a barn is usually provided by breeders in the North and is used 
by many in the South. Coops, barrels, or some other dry shelter 
should be provided for young goslings. The goose houses should be 
kept clean and plenty of clean straw provided for the floor. 
