Energy feeding of geese breeders

Abstract

The effect of dietary energy level on the performance of breeder geese was studied for five consecutive years. Each diet was distributed to 3 replicates of 15 geese and 5 ganders (Grey landaise breed) kept in open air on wood slates. The energy values compared were between 2100 and 2800 Kcal Metabolizable energy/kg and each nutrient was adjusted relatively to the energy level. The energy requirement seemed to be closed to 800-850 Kcal M.E./goose/day (including one gander for three geese) when ambiant temperature was normal. Probably it was nearer from 900 Kcal M.E. in conditions of very cold winter. When the diets were provided ad libitum, the geese were not able to correctly regulate their food intake according to the energy content of the diets and excess of energy were ingested from the most concentrated diets with a depressing effect on laying rate and fertility. On the contrary, when the energy requirement was just provided by a high energy diet according to a restrictive feeding program, an increase in fertility (+ 7 à + 20 %) and a substantial saving of food (between - 15 and - 20 %) were recorded. At least, such diets seemed to further the removal of fresh grass from the feeding program, the providing of which is sometimes a problem.