How to improve goose reproductive performance? Three key measures
Three measures to improve goose reproductive performance
Strict selection of breeding stock
In addition to conventional selection requirements, goose selection should also retain early-spring goslings whose appearance and production performance match the characteristics of the breed. Where conditions permit, selection should also be based on individual and pedigree records, choosing offspring that perform well in egg production, fertility rate, mating results, and growth rate of progeny. Generally, this is carried out in several steps: initial selection, pre-selection, final selection, and determination of breeding stock.
Initial selection At hatching, retain 2 to 2.5 times the reserved number, selecting those with excellent parental performance, early hatching, high birth weight, robust constitution, and good appearance.
Pre-selection At 2 months of age, conduct a comprehensive assessment of appearance, body shape, constitution, and reproductive organs at 1.5 to 2 times the reserved number to determine those to be retained.
Final selection At 3 months of age, retain breeding stock at 1 to 1.5 times the reserved number, selecting those that molt early and quickly.
Determination of breeding stock After one laying period, finalize the breeding geese to be retained based on mating ability, fertility rate, egg production, egg type, and egg quality.
Strengthen feeding management In terms of goose nutrition, the protein requirement must first be met: goslings should receive no less than 22%; at 20 days of age, no less than 15%. At the same time, supplement key minerals, with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio generally of 1:1 to 1.5:1. In daily management, besides grazing, swimming, supplementary feeding, heat preservation, and heat protection, the following tasks should also be carried out.
Scientific grouping To reduce fighting, form 1 small group per 20 to 30 breeding geese, housed and managed separately, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 being most suitable.
Good management during the laying period Closely observe female geese entering the laying period. Any that stretch their necks and call, appear restless, look around, or seem to want to return to the nest should be picked up and examined.
Ensure suitable humidity 50% to 65% is appropriate.
Overcome reluctance to be separated For males and females in the same group, graze and mate together during the day, and house them in separate pens at night.
Live plucking of goose feathers When the egg production of female geese declines or is about to stop, raise males and females separately. First withhold food for 1 day; on the second day withhold water, wash and dry the geese, and first administer about 10 mL of white liquor. After 10 minutes, pluck in the order of the lower neck, chest and abdomen, sides of the body, both ribs, legs, shoulders, and back, plucking feathers first and then down, pulling along the direction of feather growth. After plucking, keep them confined and warm, strengthen nutrition, and after 7 to 10 days increase swimming and supplement more concentrated feed so they enter the next reproductive cycle as soon as possible.
Ensure lighting Starting 1 month before laying, breeding geese should receive 14 to 16 hours of light daily. In late winter and early spring, provide 4 hours of light after nightfall, with an intensity of 2 to 3 watts per sq m, and the light source 1.75 m above the ground.
Pay attention to environmental sanitation
The goose house should be sited far from markets, main roads, railways, factories, and other places with significant noise, to ensure that breeding geese can live in a quiet goose house. Provide sufficient water sources so that breeding geese have the opportunity to access water surfaces, express their natural instincts, and improve production performance. Moreover, the exercise space for geese should be large to prevent breeding geese from becoming obese.
In addition to conventional selection requirements, goose selection should also retain early-spring goslings whose appearance and production performance match the characteristics of the breed. Where conditions permit, selection should also be based on individual and pedigree records, choosing offspring that perform well in egg production, fertility rate, mating results, and growth rate of progeny. Generally, this is carried out in several steps: initial selection, pre-selection, final selection, and determination of breeding stock.
Initial selection At hatching, retain 2 to 2.5 times the reserved number, selecting those with excellent parental performance, early hatching, high birth weight, robust constitution, and good appearance.
Pre-selection At 2 months of age, conduct a comprehensive assessment of appearance, body shape, constitution, and reproductive organs at 1.5 to 2 times the reserved number to determine those to be retained.
Final selection At 3 months of age, retain breeding stock at 1 to 1.5 times the reserved number, selecting those that molt early and quickly.
Determination of breeding stock After one laying period, finalize the breeding geese to be retained based on mating ability, fertility rate, egg production, egg type, and egg quality.
Strengthen feeding management In terms of goose nutrition, the protein requirement must first be met: goslings should receive no less than 22%; at 20 days of age, no less than 15%. At the same time, supplement key minerals, with a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio generally of 1:1 to 1.5:1. In daily management, besides grazing, swimming, supplementary feeding, heat preservation, and heat protection, the following tasks should also be carried out.
Scientific grouping To reduce fighting, form 1 small group per 20 to 30 breeding geese, housed and managed separately, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3 to 1:5 being most suitable.
Good management during the laying period Closely observe female geese entering the laying period. Any that stretch their necks and call, appear restless, look around, or seem to want to return to the nest should be picked up and examined.
Ensure suitable humidity 50% to 65% is appropriate.
Overcome reluctance to be separated For males and females in the same group, graze and mate together during the day, and house them in separate pens at night.
Live plucking of goose feathers When the egg production of female geese declines or is about to stop, raise males and females separately. First withhold food for 1 day; on the second day withhold water, wash and dry the geese, and first administer about 10 mL of white liquor. After 10 minutes, pluck in the order of the lower neck, chest and abdomen, sides of the body, both ribs, legs, shoulders, and back, plucking feathers first and then down, pulling along the direction of feather growth. After plucking, keep them confined and warm, strengthen nutrition, and after 7 to 10 days increase swimming and supplement more concentrated feed so they enter the next reproductive cycle as soon as possible.
Ensure lighting Starting 1 month before laying, breeding geese should receive 14 to 16 hours of light daily. In late winter and early spring, provide 4 hours of light after nightfall, with an intensity of 2 to 3 watts per sq m, and the light source 1.75 m above the ground.
Pay attention to environmental sanitation
The goose house should be sited far from markets, main roads, railways, factories, and other places with significant noise, to ensure that breeding geese can live in a quiet goose house. Provide sufficient water sources so that breeding geese have the opportunity to access water surfaces, express their natural instincts, and improve production performance. Moreover, the exercise space for geese should be large to prevent breeding geese from becoming obese.