Gosling Rearing Methods, Temperature and Humidity Requirements, and Precautions

Abstract24-26 hours after the goslings hatch, let them drink first before feeding. For newly hatched goslings aged 1-3 days, the indoor temperature should be maintained at 32-34°C; for goslings aged 4-7 days, the indoor temperature should be maintained at 30-32°C; thereafter, lower it by 2-3°C every 7 days. Goslings grow suitably in environmental conditions with a humidity of around 60-65%. Generally, rearing about 25 goslings aged 1-7 days per 1 sq m is appropriate. At midday each day when the temperature is high, open the windows for ventilation.

1. Reasonable Feeding

1. 24-26 hours after the goslings hatch, let them drink first before feeding. After they start eating, feed such items as millet and crushed corn can be scattered on red or green plastic sheeting, letting the goslings practice pecking on their own. After 3 days, gradually switch to compound feed. Generally, feed 5-6 times daily from 1-45 days of age, and 4-5 times daily after 46 days of age.

2. Do not feed them too full each time; feed small amounts frequently, and feeding to 80% full is appropriate. At the same time, always provide sufficient clean drinking water. At 1-4 days of age, they can drink 5% warm brown sugar water, which helps the goslings absorb and utilize the remaining yolk in their bellies. Also, always pay attention to changes in feed consumption; eating too much or too little feed is a sign that the goslings are ill.

2. Strengthen Insulation

1. Generally, just after hatching, goslings have relatively sparse down on their bodies and very poor cold resistance. The goose body has vigorous metabolism, while feed intake is small, and the thermoregulatory center is not yet fully developed, so the heat energy produced by itself cannot yet meet the needs of physiological heat. Therefore, brooding requires good artificial insulation work.

2. For newly hatched goslings aged 1-3 days, the indoor temperature should be maintained at 32-34°C; for goslings aged 4-7 days, the indoor temperature should be maintained at 30-32°C; thereafter, lower it by about 2-3°C every 7 days. Once the difference from the outside temperature is not great, artificial insulation can be stopped. Currently, heat sources used for artificial insulation include coal stoves, electric brooder umbrellas, heated kang, incubators, flues, and so on.

3. Humidity Regulation

Goslings grow suitably in environmental conditions with a relative humidity of around 60-65%. If the humidity in the brooding room is too high, change the bedding frequently, being careful not to wet the bedding straw, and humidity can also be reduced by strengthening indoor ventilation. If the humidity is too low, boil water on the heat source, or sprinkle water on the walkways to increase humidity.

4. Reasonable Lighting

1. When goslings are 1-4 days old, 24-hour all-day lighting can be used, which helps the goslings become familiar with the environment and makes it convenient for them to eat and drink. However, it is not recommended that the lighting be too bright; generally, installing 1 25W light bulb per 20 sq m is appropriate. By 5-14 days of age, simply turn on the lights when feeding at night; no lights are needed during the day, allowing the goslings to rest and promote growth and development.

2. After 2 weeks of age, if the weather is warm and clear, the goslings can be let outside to move around. At first, the activity time is not recommended to be too long; generally, around 30 minutes is appropriate. Later, the activity time can be gradually extended, so that the goslings get sufficient sunlight and adequate exercise, which helps enhance the body's disease resistance.

5. Rearing Density

The rearing density in the brooding room is not recommended to be too high. Generally, rearing about 25 goslings aged 1-7 days per 1 sq m is appropriate. Later, as the days of age increase, gradually reduce the number reared. If the rearing density in the brooding room is too high, it is relatively easy to cause poor growth and development of the goslings, increase the incidence of disease, and also increase the mortality rate and the rate of culls, reducing rearing benefits.

6. Ventilation

1. The brooding room needs attention to ventilation. One gosling breathes more than 50 times per minute, inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide gas, and goose droppings also continuously release ammonia. If the brooding room is not promptly cleared and fresh air exchanged in, it will cause poor growth and development of the goslings, making them prone to respiratory diseases, blindness, and so on.

2. Generally, windows are not fitted with glass; white gauze or plastic sheeting is nailed on, to be pinned up at any time, allowing intermittent ventilation in the room. This not only ventilates but also keeps in warmth. Alternatively, at midday each day when the temperature is high, open the windows for ventilation.

7. Do Good Epidemic Prevention

1. Diseases that young geese often contract include gosling plague, white diarrhea, colds, and so on. Usually, in addition to keeping the brooding room clean and hygienic and cleaning and disinfecting indoor and outdoor utensils and feeding and drinking utensils every day, targeted drug treatment is also needed. Generally, for goose white diarrhea, viral influenza, and E. coli, at 2-4 days of age use Astragalus polysaccharide and Chujian as the first medication; at 8-10 days of age use Bingduwei and Ganjiangke; at 18-20 days of age use Like Dagan and Duke.

2. For serositis, E. coli, and four-season colds, at 28-30 days of age use Yakangning and Wendusha; at 38-40 days of age use Dukening and Yajiangke or Xinmu special-effect medicine.

8. Keep the Environment Quiet

Goslings are relatively timid and weak, and are quite sensitive to tiny changes in the surrounding environment. Any external disturbance will cause severe stampeding among the goslings, causing them to crush each other and leading to death. Therefore, the brooding room should be kept quiet, avoiding cats, dogs, and the like entering and startling them.