Homestead Duck and Goose Production
(Page 6 of 10)
Yet no matter which manner ducks are handled, the beginner
will do well to raise at least a dozen annually for they
will require very little attention, do not eat too much
expensive feed and will certainly supply the family with a
delightful change for the table.
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» GOOSE PRODUCTION
The domestic goose can be raised in any section of the
United States and once the mating question has been solved,
the amateur will experience little difficulty in their
production. They are a thrifty bird and if pasture is
available they will require little additional feed other
than an abundance of grass which they will harvest
themselves. In the event that pasture is not available they
will get along very nicely on grains and roughage.
Unlike most breeds of ducks, geese do not require water for
the fertilizing of eggs, although geese do considerably
better when they may swim. These birds require little if
any housing, are subject to few diseases and live to a ripe
old age. They are as easy to drive as a herd of milk cows,
and one trio of mature geese will produce all the goose
meat that the average family can ever consume. Geese make
more thrifty gains when they have enough space in which to
range most of the year — the more space the better
— however, excellent results have been obtained with
geese even though they are confined to limited enclosures.
BREEDS OF GEESE
Choice of breed will depend more on availability than any
other single factor. There are several excellent breeds
with the Toulouse, Embden, African, China and Egyptian
being the leading varieties. Perhaps the Toulouse and
Embden will be found as readily as any as they are very
popular in the United States and are found in all sections
of the country.
Both here in California, and formerly in Colorado, we have
kept with the Toulouse, and although we maintain but one
trio — one male and two females — we have had
excellent results in their production. The Toulouse is a
hardy bird, requires little if any shelter (in the average
climate) and is the largest of the breeds. The adult gander
will weigh up to 30 pounds, while the adult goose usually
weighs in the neighborhood of 20 pounds. The only criticism
we have to offer after several years with the Toulouse is
that they sometimes refuse to set. For this reason we have,
in the past few years, depended on a commercial hatchery
for the incubation of our goose eggs.
The Embden is also very popular in most sections of the
United States and although this variety is usually
considerably smaller than the Toulouse (a gander weighing
in the neighborhood of 20 pounds) they are better setters
and are said to be better mothers.
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