—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, April 28,1979
44
Emden geese, a heavy white breed, are popular
for their feathers and meat.
Poultryman’s “year
(Continued from ' iga42)
tion. Darker-colored African
geese are used for
marketing purposes and the
white Chinese Weeders are
popular for grazing im
vegetable and fruit areas.
Several varieties of ducks
at the hatchery pens include
Pekin, Rouen and Muscovy,
au useful tor meat and egg
production.
“The ducks start to lay
nght after New Year,"
explains Emma. “They
often start at 4 a.m., and
during bitter cold Winter
weather we have to gather
the eggs every half-hour so
that they don’t freeze m the
goose and duck boxes. That
early-morning gathering
goes on until the weather
warms up and it’s safe to
leave them out until a bit
later.
Another unusual bird
available at the hatchery is
the guinea, sometimes used
as “watchdogs” because of
their ability to notice the
slightest activity around
them.
“The market for guineas is
aiiwing, says Emma,
noting that most are raised
in small flocks on farms.
Some customers, though,
have gotten as many as a
hundred of the small
pheasant-like chicks at a
time.
Guineas are currently
selling at about three dollars
per pound, live, and mature
at about three to three and
one-half pounds. Dressed
and prepared in the fmest
restaurants, guinea is
considered a gourmet dish.
But, perhaps the most
fascinating residents in the
GARBER OIL CO.
(te^co)
Fuel Chief
HEATING OIL
* OIL HEATING EQUIPMENT
AIR CONDITIONING
MOUNT JOY. PA >
Ph. 653-1821
hatchoi > buildings are the
severai dozen peafowl. Some
are housed, but three dozen
of these big birds have the
run of the place They’ve laid
claim to the straw shed,
where they regally perch
and watch over the 180-acres
of hay and grain ground.
MAMMOTH
JACK
STUD SERVICE ) J\
*5O WITH RETURN PRIVILEGES
Stands approximately W/z hands.
Will take draft horse mares and
riding mares.
Big demand for riding mules and
draft mules, occasional Jacks &
Jennetesfor sale.
DONALD J.NEIDIGH
7 Golf Road
Lebanon, Pa. 17042
(717)273-3025
Considered by some as the
most beautiful of all birds,
the peacocks strut across the
poultry yards and jump from
fence to roof with complete
disregard for the shimmery
paisley-patterned tail
(Turn to Page 45)