10 
FARMERS* BULLETIN 767. 
When mated, geese are allowed to run in flocks. (Figs. T and 8.) 
From 4 to 25 geese may be kept on an acre of land, and under most 
conditions 10 is a fair average. Wherever possible the geese should 
have free range. Many people in the South keep them to kill the 
weeds in the cotton fields. 
Toulouse and Embden geese will breed when about 2 years old, 
but do not mature for another year. The females are usually kept 
until they are 12 to 14 years old, or as long as they lay well, but 
ganders are not generally kept after they are 8 to 9 years old; Wild 
ganders, however, are kept as long as they will breed. Geese are 
usually best for breeding when from 3 to 5 years old. 
INCUBATION. 
Geese are fed a ration to produce eggs during the latter part of 
the winter (about February 1) or so that the goslings will be hatched 
Fig. 7.—Flock of Embden geese. 
by the time there is good grass pasture. They are allowed to make 
nests on the floor of the house, or large boxes, barrels, or shelters are 
provided for that purpose. The eggs should be collected daily and 
kept in a cool place where the contents will not evaporate too freely; 
if kept for some time they may be stored in loose bran. The first 
eggs are usually set under hens, while the last ones which the goose 
lays may be hatched either under hens or under the goose if she 
goes broody. If the eggs are not removed from the nest in which 
the goose is laying she will usually stop laying sooner than if they 
are taken away. The desire to sit can usually be broken up by con¬ 
fining her to a slat-bottom coop, with water to drink, but no feed, for 
2 to 4 days. % Some breeders prefer to raise all the goslings under 
hens, as geese sometimes become difficult to manage when allowed to 
hatch and rear their young. Hens used for hatching goose eggs 
