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The Country Enterprise Handbook
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Keeping geese
...Getting them
...Eggs
...Fattening
>..Byproducts
...Breeds

Goose feathers are used for stuffing pillows, cushions and duvets.

In the USA, live plucking is practised. The geese are plucked several times a year and the value of the bird comes from the feathers. Apparently, the meat is considered to be of negligible value.

Prime wing-feathers can make quills, excellent for improving handwriting. Well-cut quills can be sold to craft outlets.

If you choose to further process your goose by cooking it, you are left with another useful byproduct — goose grease. This grease has the lowest melting point of all the poultry greases. It is soft and oily with excellent waterproofing powers. A little rubbed on a dog's paws or a horse's hooves will prevent chaffing in the snow. Goose grease rubbed into dry and cracking leather restores it magically; the leather can then be washed with saddle soap and polished. Finally, goose fat makes the most delicious saute potatoes in the world.

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