Magang Goose is one of the most renowned local goose breeds in Guangdong Province, originating from Magang Township in Kaiping County. It was named after its place of origin. Similar to other local goose breeds like the Black Pheasant Goose, Yangjiang Goose, and Lion Goose, Magang Geese exhibit strong seasonal breeding patterns. They typically enter their breeding season in August and stop laying eggs by April of the following year, with peak egg production occurring between December and January. This natural cycle has made the supply of goslings and goose meat highly seasonal, which has been a major challenge for the industry. However, this seasonal behavior can be controlled through light management. By adjusting the duration of light exposure, breeders can regulate the breeding cycle of the geese—extending it when they want to delay breeding and shortening it when they want to induce laying.
To achieve non-seasonal egg production, the Magang Goose requires a period of rest after a 3-month maternity leave. To ensure they start laying in spring, the geese must go into a resting phase during winter. From late November to early February, geese are exposed to extended lighting in their houses. Each house is equipped with fluorescent lamps (40 watts per 4 square meters) to maintain a light intensity of at least 80 Lux. Lights are turned on at dusk and remain on until around midnight, then turned off. The timing of these lights is adjusted according to the natural daylight and darkness cycles.
During the first 25 days of long-light treatment, the daily light duration is kept at 19 hours. From day 26 to 40, it is reduced to 18.5 hours, and by day 41, it is further shortened to 18 hours. During this time, feed is not reduced immediately, as the geese are still in their egg-laying phase. After about a week, egg production begins to decline, and feed can be gradually reduced. By the end of the first month, egg production stops completely. At that point, males and females are separated, and each goose is fed about 75 grams of feed daily.
Twenty-eight days after the long-light treatment begins, male geese are plucked. They are fasted for three days before the process, and their main wing and tail feathers are removed. A month later, the female geese are also plucked. After plucking, the geese should not be allowed into water immediately. Instead, antibiotics are administered to prevent infection, and they are reintroduced to water the next day.
The short-light treatment starts on day 62 of the long-light period, reducing the daily light from 18 to 13 hours. On day 87, both male and female geese are grouped together, and their feed is increased to 175 grams per day. With these adjustments, the geese begin laying eggs in early March of the following year. Once production starts, feed is increased to 225 grams per goose, with 20-30% duck feed added for extra nutrition. After the first batch of eggs, the light duration is reduced to 11 hours per day, which continues until the end of the year.
Several key measures support this breeding strategy. First, the barns should be spacious, well-ventilated, and elevated to avoid flooding. Modern sheds are designed to be 5 meters high and 4 meters wide, with each house covering approximately 320 square meters. They are divided into two sections: one for production and one for nesting. Each square meter holds four geese. Powerful fans and exhaust systems ensure good air circulation, and the outdoor area is covered with light-blocking film to control light exposure.
Light management is crucial. When increasing light, the intensity should reach at least 80 Lux. When reducing light, the intensity must not exceed 5 Lux, so all windows and openings are sealed with lightproof materials. This is a critical part of managing non-seasonal breeding.
Additionally, nest-waking techniques are used to speed up the next round of egg production. Once a female goose starts nesting, she is moved to a special nesting area and allowed to swim in water, known as "sinking waters." This helps her wake up more quickly, usually within 10 days. The light treatment for these geese follows the same schedule as for laying hens.
Feeding and management are also essential. Geese require a lot of green feed, about 0.5–1 kg per day. During egg production, rice alone is insufficient, so 20–30% duck feed is added to provide necessary nutrients. Multivitamins and heat stress additives are included during hot weather, and antibiotics are regularly added to prevent disease outbreaks.
Sanitation is another important factor. Regular cleaning and disinfection of the barns, yards, and pools are necessary. Using multiple types of disinfectants helps reduce bacterial resistance. Vaccinations are also crucial, including protection against avian flu, gosling plague, poultry diseases, duck plague, and E. coli.
By implementing these practices, breeders can significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of Magang Goose farming, making it less dependent on seasonal cycles and more profitable throughout the year.
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