Homestead Duck and Goose Production
(Page 8 of 10)
In domesticity, geese may mate more than once and often
trios are very successful . . . one male and two females.
Yet even here the gander will often select a favorite and
will fertilize her eggs while permitting his second mate to
live a life of celibacy. Then too, if pairs are kept, it is
not always a sure thing that they will care for each other
and many goose fanciers have found it necessary to shuffle
their pairs around until the proper combinations have been
attained. But even this has its advantages, for once mated,
pairs and trios will remain loyal to their mates for life
and will go on for years without any changes being
necessary.
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Geese, as with all poultry, should be selected as
individuals for their size, nearness to breed type and
vigor. It is wise to keep medium-sized geese for breeders
for they seem to do better than the extra-large
individuals, and it is also advisable to purchase breeding
stock well in advance of the breeding season so that they
may become acquainted with their living quarters. In the
event that matings do not work out and that the gander
cannot be interested in the ladies in question, then there
is but one answer . . . roast gander.
Toulouse and Embden breeds will produce some offspring
during their second year. However, best results are
obtained with these heavier breeds during the third, fourth
and fifth years. The lighter breeds usually mature earlier
than these two mentioned and start reproducing at an
earlier age. After the sixth year has been reached
(regardless of breed) geese begin to taper off in both egg
production and fertility, and this problem must be settled
for each individual goose.
Geese usually lay from 25 to 30 eggs during the laying
season (January to May) and eggs should be taken from the
laying nests as they are laid (leaving at least two in the
nest for seed), for if all eggs are allowed to remain, some
geese will stop laying when they have produced what they
might consider a "set". Some producers set the first five
to seven eggs under a chicken hen, the balance under a
goose and then give all the goslings to the goose to raise.
This may be a dangerous practice, however, for many geese
will leave their nests during the incubation period and
chicken hens have been proven much more reliable.
Eggs that are set under chicken hens must be turned daily
for the eggs are too heavy for the hens to perform this
duty themselves and all eggs should be soaked in warm water
for a few minutes every four days. Goose eggs hatch in from
30 to 35 days and, as in the case of ducks, chicken hens
must be confined to their nests during the first 24 hours
after hatching begins so that all goslings will have a
chance to pip before the hen decides to leave the nest with
the first of the hatch. From this point forward, the care
of the goslings is the same as described under "Day-old
Goslings".
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