Castrating and fattening male geese has many benefits, and mastering the method is key

Male geese raised by rural people using traditional feeding methods are mostly fattened and sold as meat geese, except for a small portion kept for breeding. This outdated raising method requires a long feeding period, results in slow growth and development, and has low breeding efficiency. If male geese are castrated before fattening, not only do the geese become docile and easy to manage, but they also grow and develop quickly, reach a larger size, and deliver higher economic returns. To help the many @#@232@#@ farmers further improve their breeding efficiency, the castration method for male geese is introduced below:

1. Castration season. Generally, it is best to castrate in July to August, when the male goose is healthy and free of disease, around 5 months old, and weighs 3.5 to 4 kg. The castration tools include: a scalpel, a wound-spreading bow (which can be made from bamboo skin), a testis-holding spoon (available in pharmacies), and a testis-snaring instrument (which can be made from a writing brush handle). Also prepare some sterilized cotton wool and 75% alcohol. Sterilize the tools before use.

2. Castration method and steps. Generally, right lateral recumbency restraint is used. Fold the goose's two wings together; the operator steps on the wing tips with the right foot, while the assistant holds the wing base with one hand and fixes the neck with the other. The incision is made on the goose's left side between the last and second-to-last ribs counting from back to front, 2 to 3 cm from the dorsal midline, and the surgical site is plucked and disinfected. During the operation, the operator uses the left index and middle fingers to push the goose's skin backward, and holds the scalpel in the right hand to make the incision parallel to the ribs. The incision is about 2 to 3 cm long and about 1 cm deep, until the peritoneum is visible. Use the wound-spreading bow to hold the incision open in a diamond shape, carefully lift the peritoneum open with the hook on the upper end of the scalpel (to prevent cutting the intestines), then use the testis-holding spoon to push the rectum forward and downward and fully expose the testis. Hold the testis-snaring instrument in the right hand to snare the base of the testis, work with both hands, gently rotate, and twist to remove the testis. In the same way, remove the testis on the other side (the other testis can be found by following the principle that the two testes are basically aligned one above the other). Finally, remove the wound-spreading bow, restore the muscles, and the wound does not need suturing and will heal on its own.

3. Precautions. ① When castrating in hot weather, let the male goose drink enough clean water before surgery.

② If renal artery bleeding occurs during the operation, use tweezers to hold a sterilized cotton ball and apply pressure to stop the bleeding, and avoid damaging the lungs.

③ Do not let it enter water for 3 days after castration, and provide sufficient feed and clean drinking water. For the few that do not eat, use soaked compound feed for manual force-feeding.

④ For the few that develop emphysema after castration, use acupuncture to slowly release the gas at the emphysema site.

⑤ Be careful to prevent fright and avoid rough driving, and keep things as quiet as possible.

Castrating and fattening male geese is simple and has high practical value.