The Four-Seasons Goose, also known as goslings or "wilt geese," is a medium-sized meat goose species primarily found in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It gets its name from its unique life cycle: laying eggs for one month, hatching for another, rejuvenating in the third, and completing its cycle within a season. This makes it an interesting and efficient breed for farmers.
Newly hatched goslings have underdeveloped digestive systems, small bodies, thin feathers, and poor temperature regulation. They are particularly sensitive to cold, heat, and moisture. If not properly cared for, they can easily fall ill. Therefore, careful breeding and management are essential during this critical period.
**Feeding Methods**
From hatching until 28 days old, these young birds are called goslings. After hatching, they should be given water within 24 hours. A small container with shallow water is used, and the gosling's beak is gently guided into the water. Once they learn, they will drink on their own. After drinking, they can be fed rice, broken rice, or fresh green leaves mixed with bone meal and salt. As they grow, they gradually transition to compound feed. Feeding should be done regularly, in small portions, and with patience. If some goslings refuse to eat, they can be manually guided to feed. Initially, feed them 4–5 times a day, with the last feeding around 9 p.m.
By the time they are 4–5 days old, they begin to lose weight and their feathers stick close to their bodies—a phase known as "receiving." At this stage, their digestion improves, and their appetite increases. You can increase feeding to 6–8 times daily. By day 10, introduce more green feed and broken rice, or substitute with rice bran. Goslings start grazing at this point, so reduce feedings to 5–6 times per day while ensuring clean water is always available.
At 20 days old, you can add grains and sweet potato silk to their diet. Their digestion becomes stronger, and grazing time can be extended, allowing feedings to drop to 4–5 times daily.
**Important Points During Feeding**
Goslings must be fed fresh and clean food. For the first 15 days, feed them about 80% of their capacity—overfeeding can lead to indigestion. Always remove the trough after each feeding to let them rest. Water should be available at all times, clean, and not overfilled to avoid spillage. As they age, the feed should gradually become coarser, not changed abruptly, to prevent digestive issues.
**Management Practices**
Key aspects of gosling care include:
1. **Insulation**: Goslings are usually raised in a brooding environment. Use a bamboo basket lined with grass and cover with a blanket for warmth. In warmer weather, use gauze to keep out insects. Monitor their behavior—when they are calm and not huddled, the temperature is right. If too hot, they may move around; if too cold, they cry and huddle. After 5 days, move them to a small enclosure with soft bedding when the room temperature is above 15°C. By 20 days, they can be moved to larger pens.
2. **Moisture Control**: Maintain a dry, well-ventilated environment with humidity between 60% and 65%. Avoid damp areas to protect their health.
3. **Grazing and Watering**: The first time goslings are taken to water is called "watering." It helps stimulate metabolism and growth. Start grazing in warm, windless weather—3–7 days in summer, 10–20 days in winter. Water temperature should be around 25°C. Begin with short sessions, increasing to full-day grazing after 3 weeks.
4. **Disease Prevention**: Keep the area clean and provide lighting at night to protect against predators like rats and snakes. Proper hygiene and disease prevention are crucial for healthy growth.
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