In rural areas, many goose farmers rely on natural incubation to breed geese, allowing them to self-breed and raise their own goslings. However, to improve the hatching rate and the quality of the young geese, several important factors should be carefully considered during the natural hatching process.
First, it's essential to provide a proper nesting environment for the breeding geese. The nest should be made of soft straw or pine needles, and it must be kept clean. If the nest becomes soiled, it should be replaced promptly to maintain hygiene and ensure a safe environment for the eggs.
Second, the number of eggs placed in the nest should be appropriate. It should be based on the size of the goose species, with the general rule being that the eggs should be fully covered by the feathers of the mother goose to maintain consistent warmth.
Third, selecting high-quality eggs is crucial. Before placing them in the nest, only eggs with even shape and no cracks should be chosen. Midway through the incubation period—typically around day 5–7—three eggs are usually checked. The first egg is removed and examined for signs of life. Any eggs showing no blood vessels or weak development should be discarded. The second and third eggs are checked after 15–18 days and 27–28 days, respectively, to identify and remove dead embryos early.
Fourth, the mother goose should not be allowed to bathe during the hatching period. Bathing can cause her feathers to remain wet, which lowers the temperature of the eggs and increases humidity, both of which negatively affect hatching success and gosling survival.
Fifth, it's important to prevent quail eggs from being accidentally incubated alongside goose eggs. Before placing the eggs in the nest, the shells should be cleaned. If quail eggs are found, they should be removed immediately, and the tip of the quail egg should be dulled to prevent confusion. If multiple geese are incubating at the same time, they should be separated to avoid aggressive behavior and accidental mating.
Sixth, feeding the brooding geese should be done regularly but in controlled amounts. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which may cause the mother to sit too tightly on the eggs, resulting in hatching failure. A good practice is to feed them about 60–70% full.
Lastly, protecting the newly hatched goslings from being trampled by the mother goose is critical. Mother geese can become agitated, especially when new goslings hatch. To reduce losses, careful management is needed, and human intervention may be required to assist the goslings in hatching and moving them to a safer area.
By following these practices, farmers can significantly improve the success rate of natural goose egg hatching and ensure healthier, stronger goslings.
Author: Institute of Potato Research, Benxi City, Liaoning Province
d ribose supplement,ribose supplement,S-Adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate tosylate,S-Adenosyl-L-methionine
Jiangxi Chengzhi Bioengineering Co., Ltd , https://www.chengzhi-bio.com