How to raise goslings in spring? These 5 feeding and management points are very important

In early spring the weather is cold and damp, and like the recent novel coronavirus, geese have many disease-causing factors. Newly hatched goslings have a delicate constitution, sparse down, and a small body, and their ability to adapt to and resist the external environment is not strong. Therefore, what aspects should be noted in the feeding and management of goslings in spring? These 5 aspects are very important!

1. Selecting goslings in the feeding and management of goslings in spring

Healthy goslings show thick, long, glossy, and clean down, good yolk absorption, a fully contracted umbilical cord with no umbilical nail, and no edema around the umbilicus; they are lively in behavior, have bright and spirited eyes, respond quickly, and have loud calls. When you hold a gosling by the neck and lift it, its feet can quickly contract and it struggles strongly; when you place the gosling on its back, it can quickly turn over and stand up. Weak, deformed, and sick goslings such as those with a large abdomen, bloody umbilicus, large navel, lame feet, blind eyes, or a crooked head must not be selected.

2. Keeping warm in the feeding and management of goslings in spring

Goslings are very sensitive to temperature changes and have particularly poor cold resistance. Warmth conditions directly affect the survival rate of goslings, so in winter and spring the house temperature must be strictly controlled. Gosling rearing methods can be broadly divided into two types: rearing on wire netting and rearing on the ground with litter. In the first week, the brooding temperature is kept at 28°C to 32°C, then gradually lowered by about 2°C each week. When the temperature drops to about 18 to 20°C, the goslings can gradually be weaned off heat and switched to rearing at normal temperature. When using heat-retaining blankets, heat-retaining umbrellas, and heated brick beds for ground rearing, the temperature must be adjusted evenly to reach the temperature required by the goslings. For multi-tier cage rearing, attention should be paid to keeping the temperature on the upper, middle, and lower tiers balanced and consistent, with sufficient light and density not too high.

3. Humidity in the feeding and management of goslings in spring

Humidity, like temperature, has a great impact on the health of goslings, and the two act together. Low temperature and high humidity cause body heat to dissipate quickly, easily leading to colds, diarrhea, and huddling, resulting in stunted geese, cull geese, and gosling deaths; high temperature and high humidity prevent body heat from dissipating, causing a drop in appetite. At the same time, high temperature and high humidity easily cause a large proliferation of pathogens, leading to an increase in the incidence of disease among goslings. High humidity is a major taboo in brooding, so when watering indoors do not let water spill over; clean frequently, change the litter often to keep it dry, and keep the relative humidity in the brooding room between 60% and 70%. At this time, the goslings' body heat dissipation and water evaporation reach a balance, the goslings are comfortable, and their rest, appetite, and activity are good, so they can develop normally. After the goslings are weaned off heat, promptly herd them outdoors to move about, breathe fresh air, and sunbathe.

4. Disinfection in the feeding and management of goslings in spring

Before the goslings are brought in, the brooding room must be thoroughly disinfected. Usually, for each cubic meter of space, 15 ml of formalin solution and 75 g of potassium permanganate are used for fumigation disinfection for 24 hours; the floor is sprayed and disinfected with Baidusha (or another disinfectant); the rearing site is sprayed and disinfected with 20% lime milk or 3% caustic soda water; utensils are cleaned and then sun-dried or sprayed with a chemical disinfectant; brooding rooms that have previously housed poultry can be disinfected by brushing the walls with 20% lime milk.

5. Disease prevention in the feeding and management of goslings in spring

1. Vaccination

After hatching, goslings gradually lose maternal antibodies. At one day of age, they need to be injected promptly with hyperimmune serum against gosling plague, 0.5 ml per bird subcutaneously, and at 10 to 15 days of age, 0.5 ml per bird of goose paramyxovirus vaccine.

2. Pullorum disease

In the early stage of the disease, oxytetracycline can be used, adding 150 g per 50 kg of feed, fed continuously for three days. Or add Changdongli to the drinking water.

3. Indigestion

Feed a nutritionally complete, easily digestible formula feed specially made for goslings from a major brand, feeding small amounts frequently.

4. Colds

Keep the house temperature stable and prevent drafts from entering the house. Mix chlortetracycline into the feed at a ratio of 0.3% and use continuously for 5 days, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of colds.

Therefore, in the early spring season, if rearing is improper, goslings are prone to disease. For this reason, feeding and management must be strengthened to improve the survival rate of goslings.