Experience in Raising Goslings in Goose Farming

1. “Mouth-wetting” and first feeding. The first time a gosling drinks water is called “mouth-wetting” or “opening water.” When the goslings walk freely and begin pecking at the bedding straw, pour a 0.01% potassium permanganate aqueous solution into a flat-bottomed water basin, with the water temperature at 18°C-25°C and the water depth just enough to submerge the goslings' feet (about 1-2 cm) as appropriate, and let the goslings drink on their own, generally for 3-5 minutes, with the criterion being that the feet get wet but the feathers do not. If “mouth-wetting” is delayed for some reason, add 0.8%-1.0% table salt to the drinking water and control the amount of drinking water to avoid poisoning caused by goslings drinking excessively.

After “mouth-wetting,” they can begin feeding. The first feed can be washed and soaked broken rice and chopped vegetable leaves. The broken rice needs to be soaked for 2 hours, and the vegetable leaves should be cut into thin shreds, with a ratio of 1:2-3. The first feeding time is about 30 minutes, and it is appropriate for them to eat until about 80% full. After the first feeding, feed at fixed times, giving small amounts frequently. Do not feed high-fat feed at 1-3 days of age. At 4-10 days of age, some cooked egg yolk, high-quality fish meal, or low-fat plant-based protein feed can be added to the feed. 2. Keep warm and prevent dampness. Goslings are afraid of cold and avoid dampness, so attention should be paid to keeping them warm. The temperature is 30°C-26°C at 1-7 days of age, 26°C-24°C at 8-14 days of age, and 24°C-20°C at 15-30 days of age. In winter or at night, it can be raised by 0.5°C-1.0°C. The bedding should be aired in the sun or replaced regularly. 3. Divide into groups to prevent crushing. Goslings should be regularly divided into groups according to strength and size, and sick and weak goslings should be removed to prevent the flock from huddling together and crushing them to death. Before 15 days of age, each group is 30-50 birds, with a density of 15-20 birds per sq m; after 15 days of age, each group is 80-100 birds, with a density of 8-10 birds per sq m. 4. Herding and entering water. If the temperature is suitable, goslings can be herded at 4 days of age. For the first herding, choose a sunny day with gentle breeze and adopt the principle of “late release and early return, short time, short distance.” During the day, herd 5-6 times, and at night return to the shed and feed 2-3 times. When the temperature is low, the first herding can be done at 10-15 days of age. After goslings are 7-15 days old, choose a clean pond for their first entry into water, with the water temperature at 20°C-30°C, generally at 3-4 p.m. After a few minutes in the water, drive them onto the bank to let them preen their down; once the down is dry, they can be driven back to the brooding room.