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Goose feeding and management
Geese have a relatively short laying period, which lasts less than two-thirds of the year—typically around 7 to 8 months—with about 4 to 5 months dedicated to egg production. The egg-laying cycle in female geese is influenced by both breed characteristics and regional climate conditions. In southern China, the laying season usually occurs during winter and spring, while in northern regions, it typically spans from the second to the sixth month. As egg production declines over time, the laying schedule becomes irregular, with more small or deformed eggs being produced. At this stage, most geese lose their feather luster, breeding performance drops, and the fertilization rate of eggs decreases significantly. Breeding geese then enter a long rest period, during which almost all groups stop producing eggs. During this time, they only consume feed without generating any economic returns. Management should focus on grazing, reduce concentrate feeding, and allow them to forage freely on weeds. To ensure better egg production in the next season and to maintain a consistent laying period, artificial forced moulting is often performed during the resting phase.
During the breeding season, geese entering the perinatal period should be primarily grazed, with their diet gradually refined to help burn body fat and promote feather dryness and shedding. Feeding frequency should be reduced, starting from once a day or every other day, and then gradually decreasing to 3–4 days. Water should not be given during this period. After about 12–13 days, the geese will show a noticeable weight loss. When the primary wing and tail feathers begin to dry, normal feeding can resume. Once the geese start gaining weight again and one month has passed since the last feeding, artificial forced moulting can be initiated. Male geese should be moulted 20–30 days earlier than females to ensure full feather replacement before the breeding season, maintaining their fertility. This method allows hens to start laying eggs 20–30 days earlier than through natural moulting.
After moulting, grazing should be increased, and feeding should be adjusted as needed. If feather growth is slow and goslings are already in production, males should not be bred and should be fed concentrated feed. If the hens are not yet ready, they should also receive some concentrates. Once the main and secondary wing feathers are fully replaced, the geese will move into the pre-laying feeding management phase.
To maintain productivity, breeding geese should be selected and culled during the off-season. During the breeding period, old, sick, or disabled birds should be removed, and new replacements should be added annually. New flocks must include both male and female geese at the same time. A key indicator that a female goose is no longer productive is when her pubic bones close and her abdomen becomes firm. By gently holding the base of the hen’s wings with one hand, gripping the head and neck, and rubbing the abdomen in the direction of the feathers, if the feathers come out easily, it indicates she is no longer productive. Egg-laying performance, egg size, fertilization rate, and nesting behavior should be considered when selecting. Individual records can also be used to evaluate offspring performance, survival rate, growth rate, and feather color.
The useful lifespan of geese is generally three to three and a half years. Artificial forced moulting is an effective technique to shorten the natural moulting process and ensure more uniform egg production afterward. Under natural conditions, moulting takes longer, and the timing of egg production varies. To control this, artificial moulting is used to accelerate the process.
Before moulting, low-producing, small, or weak geese, as well as excess males, should be culled. Stop artificial lighting and limit feeding for 2–3 days, but ensure access to clean water. On day four, feed a mixture of green roughage, such as grass, gluten bran, and by-products. Check the primary and secondary wing feathers around day 12–13. If the feathers pull out easily and the roots are dry, they can be removed one by one. Otherwise, pull them every 3–5 days, followed by the main tail feathers. After plucking, immediately provide green feed and gradually increase concentrate feeding to support recovery and early egg production.
Feather pulling should be done on warm, sunny evenings. Avoid cold or rainy days. After plucking, geese need extra care. They should not be allowed to swim to prevent bacterial infections. Grazing can resume after 5–7 days. Feed green fodder immediately and slowly increase the amount of concentrate to aid recovery and stimulate egg production. During this period, geese are sensitive, so avoid rain and direct sunlight. Male and female geese should be kept separately during forced moulting to prevent disturbance and conserve energy.
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