Poultry is quite beneficial in breeding: it is dietary meat, and nutritious eggs. Geese, like poultry, are popular for their size and longevity. About this, as well as the intricacies of growing geese talk today.
A few words in geese
The goose is a bird of the duck family, a genus of waterfowl birds, migratory birds (wild species).
The most common among the wild species is the gray goose, who is also the ancestor of domestic animals. It was this species that was easiest to tame in the household, even now the caught wild individual adapts to the new conditions in a short period. Domestic individuals are valued for particularly useful and tasty meat, it has a large number of amino acids that strengthen the immune system. Goose fat has long been considered a healing tool, and feathers and down are still used in light industry and even in tailoring.
Did you know? In the distant past, geese saved Rome from the brutal massacre of the Gauls. When the barbarians attempted a night assault, the sacred birds in the temple of Juno raised a cry. They were heard by the Consul Mark Manlius, who woke the rest of the city’s defenders.
How many years live
In the wild, bird survival depends on external factors, and for pets, caring for them and housing conditions play an important role in life expectancy.
Homemade
On average, poultry weight ranges from 8 to 10 kg, but there are also large breeds weighing 12 kg. These birds are not chickens, they are not kept in a cage. For the cultivation of domestic flocks it is important to have a large area for walking and a reservoir.
Learn how to build a small pond for geese and ducks.
The average life expectancy is up to 20 years, the geese of the Vladimir clay and Javakheti rocks live up to 30 years.
Wild
Wild individuals live in flocks, for wintering fly to countries with a warm climate: India, the Mediterranean. At the time of reproduction form a pair, nest in deserted places near water bodies.
Sexual maturity occurs at about two years, one offspring is hatching in one season. They feed on grass and aquatic plants, crustaceans, filtering nutrients by combs along the edge of the beak. Wild animals are lighter than domestic animals - up to 4 kg in weight, but their neck and legs are longer, their wingspan averages 180 cm. Birds in nature can live for about 70 years.
Read about common species of wild geese.
Geese breed linda
One of the most popular breeds was bred on the basis of the Chinese breed, crossed with representatives of Adler, Solnogorsk and Arzamas. These are large birds with snow-white feather and down. They are distinguished by a good-natured disposition, curiosity and interpersonal skills.
The goose of the Linda breed lives up to 18–20 years old, but does not hold laying hens for more than five years, on large farms the birds do not grow more than 2–3 years.Geese breed Linda
Correct content
The correct maintenance of gaggly pets is the basis of their development, productive longevity and the benefits of the farm.
Important! A laying goose needs a 12-hour light day for good productivity.Consider briefly the main points:
- cellular content is unacceptable neither for young animals, nor for adults;
- there should be a spacious aviary or aviary;
- the room must be insulated, lighted, ventilated and heated when necessary;
- maintaining cleanliness (frequent replacement of bedding, washing dishes and walls in the room);
- the presence of a reservoir and freedom of walking;
- the temperature in the first week of life should be +28 ° C, up to three weeks - +22 ° C, then natural (+10 ° C);
- lighting during the day reduction period is extended with the help of artificial lamps;
- complex nutritional regime - dry food and mixers of grain and vegetables with vitamins and minerals;
- constant availability of fresh water.
Get to know the geese feeding features.
Why geese red paws
The widespread belief that all geese have red paws, not true. There are birds with yellow, pale pink and even almost black limbs, the color depends on the characteristics of the breed. Among all the versions known today explaining the red color of the paws, perhaps the most reliable is the number of coloring pigments in the skin cells of the birds.
Breeding geese can be a very profitable enterprise: meat, eggs, feather and down, fat, liver - all this is very much appreciated. Before starting the project, it is important to study the characteristics of birds, their preferences in food and lifestyle, and to ensure their proper care.