The Southern Herald

More Compact In Shape Than Other Breeds and Gander Will Weigh About Twenty Pounds.

(By GEORGE E. HOWARD)

Toulouse geese are more compact shape than other geese, and are preferred by many for this reason. The head is rather large and short, and they have a comparatively short bill that is stout at the base; the neck is carried well up and is of medium length. They have a broad back of moderate length, which curves slightly by from the neck to the tail; breasts are broad and deep.

The body of the Toulouse goose is moderate in length, broad, and very deep and compact, the more compact the better; and in birds in good condition the belly almost touches the ground. Their wings are large, strong, fold nicely against the sides, and they have comparatively short tails and stout thighs and shanks. In color of plumage they are a dull gray. The head is gray and the neck dark blue gray, which shades to a lighter gray as it approaches the back; the back is of dark gray, while the breast light gray.

The body plumage light gray, which grows lighter and becomes white on the belly; the white extends back to and around the tail covering the fluffy parts. The primaries of the wings are dark gray or brown; the secondaries are a shade darker than the primaries, with very narrow edging of lighter gray, and the coverts are dark gray. The tail feathers are gray and white, the ends tipped with white. Their eyes are dark brown or hazel in color; the bills are of a pale orange color, while the shanks, toes and webs are a deep reddish-orange color.

The standard weight of the adult gander is 20 pounds; adult goose, 18 pounds; young gander, 18 pounds, and young goose, 15 pounds.

Pair of Gray Toulouse Geese.

SEPARATING YOUNG AND OLD
Growing Pullet Requires More Food Than Old Birds and Feeds Better When by Herself.

Young chickens, like young people, have more or less timidity, and therefore it is not well to run young and old together, at least it is much better to have them separate if you can well do so. Then again the pullets are still growing, and they need plenty of flesh-forming feed, such as barley, bone, meat, with less of fattening foods.

The hen should not be deprived of these either, but she can get along on less, as what you give her will not be taken away from the purpose for which you intended it, as in the case with the pullet, which not only needs these things for making the egg, but to go toward the development of her body.

It naturally follows, too, that the developed bird will require less food than the pullet, and because the pullet is somewhat timid she is likely not to get enough, or even her share. The young will feed more freely among themselves, and, if you possibly do so, keep them to themselves.

POULTRY NOTE
Poultry and eggs are high every winter.

All poultry yards should have shade in them.

Movable, separate nest boxes are the only kind to have.

Three months should bring a broiler to the market stage.

Ducks do not stand confinement well. Better turn 'em loose.

The care of the fowls is one of the important things that cannot be neglected.

Exposure to hot weather is as dangerous to the egg crop as is exposure to cold weather.

Keep the dropping-boards clean and free from filth. They should be frequently scrubbed.

The poultryman must keep everything clean and sweet about houses and yards.

Linseed meal is good to mix in the mash during moulting season. It helps digestion and regulates bowels.

The average farm poultryman can make more for the number of eggs a hen lays in a year than the number of prizes she wins at the shows.

Rough timber used in the poultry house makes the best harbor for lice.

Perches, nests, etc., should be made of smooth lumber in all cases.

For roup, try putting a few drops of carbolic acid then fumigate the poultry house with fowls in it. Keep houses dry.