One species of poultry is Chinese geese. This breed was first domesticated in Manchuria. This is a small province in the north-east of China, so the geese got their name. In Europe, Chinese geese were raised in the eighteenth century.
Features
Chinese goose is an unusual breed. Despite its small size, the bird is very popular among farmers for its high egg production and excellent productivity. The breed is often used in breeding by crossing to increase the productivity of other breeds. Chinese geese are often crossed with Kuban, Gorky, Kholmogory and some other species. Selection allows to improve the characteristics of the last breeds, increase productivity.
Specifications
Chinese geese come in two forms - gray and white. The former are often called brown, as this is a more accurate definition.
For a bird of this breed is characteristic:
- medium-sized body, slightly raised in front, ovoid in shape;
- the neck is long, with a pronounced bend;
- the chest is round, smoothly passing into the body;
- the belly does not hang, as in some other breeds;
- the head is long, the forehead is wide;
- tail is short, bulging to the top;
- legs wide apart, medium length;
- the beak is medium, with a growth in the form of a cone, which is colored orange in white birds and black in gray;
- the back is broad, with a convex upper part, a sharp transition to the tail;
- eyes are dark, convex;
- wings have a wide scope, are lowered, fit well to the body;
- plumage is dense.
The photo of Chinese geese shows that the bird has a small body mass - gander weigh an average of six kilograms, and geese - no more than five.
Farmers choose the Chinese breed because of its qualities. The unpretentiousness in leaving, endurance is characteristic of the bird. It is not demanding on the composition of the diet.
Bird color
In gray Chinese geese, most of the body is covered with a brown and gray feather, sometimes individuals with interspersed white feathers are found.
The wings and drumstick of both species are painted in milky color. In gray representatives, the sternum is white-brown. From the beak, through the head and neck, to the body passes a dark strip.
Bird temper
Geese are motile, energetic birds. Representatives of the breed often show aggression.
Geese are considered long-livers - life expectancy is 25 years. The oldest individual was 49 years old.
The Chinese breed is kept separate from other birds, geese. This is due to the fact that they show aggression during egg production.
Productivity
According to the description, Chinese geese have high productivity. They are characterized by high egg production. So, one goose per year lays about 50 eggs. The maximum rate of egg production of geese is 120 eggs per year.
Geese begin to lay eggs at the age of nine months. The duration of this period is 180 days. The mass of one egg is 150 grams.
The hatchability of geese was praised. According to statistics, it reaches 85%, which is a very good indicator. Young breed quickly gaining weight. Already by two months of life, geese weigh about 3.5 kilograms, the bird fully grows by 9 months. At this time, they gain weight of adults.
Content
Keeping geese easy, and even a beginner poultry breeder can cope with this task. But even this does not mean that the bird does not need to create optimal conditions.
- Geese are kept in a dry, warm place.
- The bird is afraid of drafts.
- The house must have a good ventilation system.
- Geese provide constant access to water, feed.
Geese feed on grass growing on the lawns. Because of this feature, they are provided with walks throughout the daylight hours. If it’s too cold outside, you cannot walk the bird. Paws quickly freeze in birds, which may result in the death of individuals.
In cold weather, improve the diet. Various mixes of root crops, bone or fish meal, mineral, vitamin supplements, salt, chalk, grain mixtures are added to it. In winter, geese are fed twice a day, following the schedule. Moreover, in the morning hours a portion is given less than in the evening.
Bird house
In the cold season, the bird is kept in the house. It should be at least two meters high. Area is calculated by the number of individuals at the rate of two square meters per bird.
It is recommended to install a thermometer to monitor the temperature. Geese feel best at a temperature of +16 degrees. In such conditions, the appetite increases in birds and they begin to actively gain weight.
The house maintains a humidity level of 70%. Removing excess moisture is carried out by the ventilation system. It also provides fresh air. The best option is the installation of a supply and exhaust system.
In order for geese to steadily produce eggs, there should be natural and artificial lighting in the house. For birds provide daylight hours of at least 14 hours.
Geese are grown outdoor. Because of this feature, straw, hay, sawdust are spread in the barn. Periodically, the litter is changed, adding fresh components.
Breeding Features
White and brown Chinese geese are characterized by high fecundity. After nine months, they begin to lay their eggs, performing the function of a producer. When breeding geese of this breed, the following positive qualities are taken into account:
- High fertility - about 90%.
- When breeding takes into account the fact that geese do not differ in their desire to hatch offspring. Because of this feature, goslings are hatched in incubators.
To increase live weight, Chinese geese are crossed with other breeds with a larger weight. These can be geese of the Kholmogory or Toulouse breed. As a result of the selection, you can get more tender meat and a moderate amount of fat. Received crosses, crossbreeds are in great demand, which is growing every year.
Walking
For proper development, the bird needs a paddock. To this end, equip a fence, equip a place where the bird will graze. There should be access to water in the walking area. Laz, in which the bird will go to the poultry yard from the house, is done either from the southeast or south side.
The place of walking is fenced with a net at least 1.3 meters high. A canopy must be mounted so that the bird can hide from the sun and rain. Here they also equip a place for feeding birds.
Chinese geese can walk on pastures to frost. With this version of the content, they have a large mass of fat by winter, and the poultry breeder saves feed. You can save even more if the bird swims in a pond, where he finds a lot of wholesome and tasty food for his food. Swimming has a positive effect on the health and development of the bird.
Drinking bowls, feeders
Two feeding troughs are installed in the house and on the paddock. One is for fodder, and the second is for river sand, gravel, shell rock. Feeding troughs can be made of plywood, wood, plastic and other materials.
Be sure to provide constant access to clean and fresh water. It is poured into drinking bowls. In winter, the drinker is heated so that the water does not freeze.
In the poultry house, nests are necessarily installed where geese will carry eggs. They are made at the rate of 1 nest for three individuals.
Feeding rules
The Chinese breed bird is not demanding on the diet. In the summer, geese can find food for themselves during walking. They do not refuse to enjoy fresh plantain, clover, yarrow, dandelion and other plants. In ponds they look for reeds, a rod and not only.
Additionally, in the evenings, geese are fed. In winter, the bird is fed twice a day strictly at the same time. This is an important point for the bird to return to the house at a certain time.