The Influence of Geese Age on Their Productive and Reproductive Qualities

Abstract

This study aims to determine the optimal age for using breeder geese for hatching eggs. Four parties of experimental groups of geese of a large grey breed were formed to conduct a scientific and economic experiment. There were three groups of geese in each party, with the female geese aged 1, 2, 3 years and the male geese of 1,2,3,4 year of use, respectively. During the research period, geese of the second year of use showed the best survival rate indicators amounting to 95.8%. The live weight of geese increased with an increase in their age. There was a decrease in the live weight of geese during the productive period. The oldest geese had the highest decrease values. Geese of the third year of use produced 42.5 eggs, 2.5-10.3 eggs more than in other age groups. The egg weight of geese of the third year of use was 179.62 g, which is 6.5-13.2% higher than other age groups. Comprehensive analysis showed that female geese' productive and reproductive qualities increase with the increase in their age. Geese of the parent herd of a large grey breed of the third year of use had the best production indicators.