A comparative study of traditional and pneumatic force-feeding of geese and ducks

Abstract

Two trials were carried out at the Experimental Station of Artiguères to compare the performances of geese and ducks when force-fed in a traditional program with corn grain or a new pneumatic system using wet ground corn. This new technique is very fast but seems to give irregular performance because assimilation of corn is reduced. During the first trial, efficiency of pneumatic cramming was compared with traditional force-feeding. Three experimental groups of forty five twelve week old mule ducks were fed as follows : intensive group (CI, traditional force-feeding) ; moderate group (CD, traditional force-feeding) ; pneumatic group (CPn, using ground corn). The duration of the experiment was thirteen days. Maize consumption was respectively 10.3 - 9.4 and 9.8 kg of dry corn per duck on average. At the same time live body weight increase was 54 - 50 and 44 % including "foies gras" of 698 - 551 and 461 grams. The differences recorded were all significant (P < 0.01), showing that the CPn group was the least productive in spite of a corn consumption higher than CD. Hence corn efficiency is affected in this technique. For the geese trial we used three groups of thirty birds, thirteen weeks old : intensive group (OI, traditional, duration 12 days) ; moderate group (OR, traditional, duration 18 days) ; pneumatic group (OPn, with ground corn, duration 18 days). Corn consumptions were respectively 11.3 - 14.0 and 16.7 kg. They showed a body weight increase of 44 - 50 and 55 % including "foies gras" of 708 - 747 and 806 grams. "Foie gras" production of the OPn group was assured by the high level of corn consumed, but mortality was high (23 %) and food efficiency was affected. During the second trial we compared corn digestive-utilisation according to its presentation. In both cases mule ducks showed no difference for the apparent metabolisable energy, and the level of ingestion at 100 % or 300 % of ad libitum was also without effect. However, measurement of feces excretion showed a transit acceleration during the first hours after the meal. Apparent metabolisable energy was not different whatever the presentation of corn for geese. In contrast, a high level of ingestion at 300 % decreased significantly 5 % apparent metabolisable energy in both presentations. Total feces excretion increased with the pneumatic technique but later after the meal at 24 hours and especially 48 hours.