Key Points and Precautions for Grazing Technology of Meat-Type Goslings

To reduce feeding costs, goslings are generally raised by grazing, followed by appropriate supplementary feeding. Generally, goslings can be released to water and grazed after 10 days of age when conditions are suitable, but attention should be paid to grazing time, pasture site and methods.

???? Grazing Time

When the weather is clear and the temperature is suitable, goslings can be grazed at around 10 days of age; in summer, they can be grazed at 6 to 8 days of age. The first grazing should be limited in time, controlled at 1 hour each time; if the weather permits, it can be done twice a day with a well-controlled interval, preferably once in the morning and once in the afternoon. As the goslings grow older, the grazing time should be gradually extended, and around 24 days of age they can be grazed all day.

Grazing Site

Choose a site with a relatively abundant supply of forage, preferably one dominated by forage with good palatability. For goslings, ordinary forage can all be eaten. The grazing site should be flat and broad in terrain, avoiding many pits and hollows. If conditions permit, the grazing area can be divided into zones, and different zones can be chosen for grazing as the goslings grow older. The grazing site should preferably be arranged near a water source; a place with ponds and rivers can be found, which also facilitates drinking and cleaning for the goslings.

? Appropriate Supplementary Feeding

Even if goslings are grazed all day, they should still be appropriately supplemented with feed. Usually, the supplementary feed is mainly bran and chaff and blighted grain, which can reduce feeding costs. Supplementary feeding should be carried out in the afternoon after the flock returns from grazing, and the amount should be flexibly determined according to how much green grass the flock ate while grazing. The supplementary feed should include concentrated feed and green feed, and the feeding amount should be determined according to the growth rate of the goslings. For concentrated feed, goslings under 50 days of age can be supplemented with 90 g to 140 g per day, fed 2 to 4 times a day; those over 50 days of age can be supplemented with 150 g to 310 g per day, fed 1 to 2 times a day. The feeding time for concentrated feed should be controlled before grazing and after returning from grazing.