Breeding Techniques for the Landes Goose, the Breed Dedicated to "Foie Gras" Production
The Landes Goose, also called the Southwest Grey Goose, originated in Landes, France, and is the world's most famous breed dedicated to the production of fatty goose liver. It is extensively bred and raised in Shandong and Guangdong in China. Below is an introduction to the breeding techniques for the Landes Goose, the breed dedicated to “foie gras” production.
I. Characteristics of the Landes Goose
1. High food value: The meat of the Landes Goose is tender and delicious, rich in nutrients, and characterized by low fat and low cholesterol, so its goose meat products are superior to those of Chinese white geese. The fatty liver of the Landes Goose is tender in texture and uniquely delicious; it is a fatty-liver-type specialty goose highly recommended by experts, raised mainly for extracting fatty goose liver and making foie gras pate. Fatty goose liver contains many elements beneficial to human health and is most suitable for children and the elderly, and is hailed as the world's “king of green foods.”
II. Breeding Techniques for the Landes Goose
1. First Water and First Feed for Goslings
Within 1 to 3 days after the chicks hatch, the goslings must be taught to drink water and eat. The water used for the first drink must be clean, and the first feed should preferably be a moist mixed feed; half-cooked millet or chopped green vegetable shreds, ryegrass, etc. can be scattered on newspaper or plastic sheeting, and the newspaper or plastic can be tapped lightly by hand to entice and train the goslings to eat.
2. Feed and Feeding
As the age of the young birds increases, the number of feedings and the amount of feed increase accordingly.
| Feeding During Brooding | ||
| Age (days) | Number of Feedings (times) | Nighttime Feedings (times) |
| 1~3 | 4~5 | 1 |
| 4~10 | 5~6 | 2~3 |
| 11~20 | 6 | 2 |
| 21~30 | 5 | 1~2 |
3. Temperature and Humidity
The temperature required during the brooding period can be adjusted according to age and the physical condition of the goslings.
| Temperature and Humidity During Brooding | |||
| Age (days) | Temperature | Room Temperature | Relative Humidity |
| 1~5 | 27~28 | 15~18 | 60%~65% |
| 6~40 | 25~26 | 15~18 | 60%~65% |
| 11~15 | 22~24 | 15~18 | 65%~70% |
| 16~20 | 18~22 | 15 | 65%~70% |
4. Density
For self-warmed brooding, the usual stocking density is shown in the table below.
| Brooding Density | |
| Age (days) | Birds/sq m |
| 1~5 | 22~25 |
| 6~10 | 20 |
| 1~10 | 15~20 |
| 11~20 | 10~15 |
| 21~30 | 5~10 |
| 31~60 | 4~5 |
| 60 | 2~3 |
5. Disease Prevention and Control
The goose house should be disinfected regularly, and the goose house should always be kept clean and hygienic, and kept clean, warm and dry inside. Normally, when the temperature changes greatly, heat-clearing and detoxifying agents and other drugs can be added to the drinking water to prevent and treat respiratory diseases. In addition, when administering drugs to geese, attention must be paid to the dosage and course of treatment, especially during the gosling stage.
The above is Tuliu.com's brief introduction to the breeding techniques for the Landes Goose, the breed dedicated to “foie gras” production. The delicious foie gras is in fact made from the fatty liver of geese; it is nutritious and delicious, suitable for young and old alike, and its breeding returns are excellent.