Key Techniques for Winter Goose Farming to Effectively Improve Farming Profits

Edible winter geese can dispel rheumatism and strengthen the bones and tendons, so winter geese fetch a relatively high price. Mastering the feeding techniques well and raising the survival rate of winter brooded goslings is the key to improving goose farming profits. 

I. Preparation for Brooding Half a month before introducing goslings for rearing, thoroughly disinfect the goose house and rearing area. A 10% quicklime solution or a 5% bleaching powder solution can be used alternately for disinfection. Rearing utensils (feeding basins, drinkers, etc.) should be sprayed with disinfectant according to the prescribed requirements, then rinsed clean with fresh water. Insulation items (cotton wadding, bedding straw, etc.) should be placed in direct sunlight for 1-2 hours before use. 

II. Temperature and Humidity Newly hatched goslings have sparse down and poor thermoregulation, so the temperature and humidity inside the shed should be kept relatively stable. The suitable temperature and humidity for the brooding house are: 1-2 days of age 28-29 degrees Celsius, relative humidity 60%-65%; 3-6 days of age 26-28 degrees Celsius, relative humidity 60%-65%; 7-14 days of age 23-25 degrees Celsius, relative humidity around 65%; 15-20 days of age 19-22 degrees Celsius, relative humidity 65%-70%; after 21 days of age, they can gradually be taken off heat. 

III. Rearing Density For goslings raised in groups, 500-600 birds per group is appropriate. According to the body size and growth of the goslings, constantly adjust the rearing density. Generally, for medium and small geese within 7 days of age, raise 18-25 birds per sq m; at 7-15 days of age, raise 12-15 birds; at 15-21 days of age, raise 7-10 birds. 

IV. Feeding Management Within 12-24 hours after hatching, goslings should first be given water, and it is best to add 1 gram of multivitamins per kilogram of drinking water. Newly started goslings have weak digestive capacity, so the feed can be half-cooked rice, made so that it is raw but not hard, cooked but not sticky, in granular form, breaking apart as soon as it is scattered, and washed with warm boiled water until the rice is not sticky, fed 6-8 times a day; it is best to add one feeding at night, and feeding until 60%-70% full is sufficient. Once goslings start eating, they can be fed fresh tender green feed, with green feed supplied every day without interruption. The brooding room should be kept clean, dry, and well ventilated. On clear warm days, goslings can be let outside for activity 2-3 times, half an hour each time. Normally, the doors and windows of the brooding room should be opened to remove ammonia gas and keep the air in the brooding room fresh.

V. Disease Prevention and Control 

1. Gosling plague: For goslings within 24 hours of hatching, gosling plague serum should be used for preventive injection before they start eating, 0.5 milliliters per bird; the treatment dose needs to be doubled. 

2. Colds: Characterized by difficulty breathing and runny nose, with morbidity and mortality rates as high as over 90%. Calculated per kilogram of body weight, 15-20 milligrams of tetracycline or 100-200 milligrams of sulfadiazine can be given orally. For space disinfection inside the shed, vinegar can be used for fumigation in a closed goose house for half an hour, then the windows should be opened. 

3. Fowl cholera: For goslings 25-30 days of age, inject 1.5 milliliters of fowl cholera vaccine intramuscularly per bird. 

4. Tapeworm disease: Tapeworms are seriously harmful to goslings and can be treated with bithionol, orally administered once at 100-120 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.

5. Comprehensive prevention and control: Strictly prohibit the introduction of goslings from epidemic areas, frequently observe the goose flock, isolate and treat sick geese promptly when found, and deeply bury dead geese. Remove goose droppings promptly and keep the air in the shed fresh. Do not feed moldy or spoiled feed.