Geese for integrated orchard and pastures
By Our Agriculture Correspondent
GEESE, A predominantly vegetarian bird, are particularly suited for raising in the integrated horti-silvi-pastoral systems, that are widely adopted by farmers in many parts of the country. "These hefty and hardy birds feed voraciously on tender grass and weeds and weed seeds as well. They do not eat earthworms, beetles, ants, snails, fingerlings and toads. The birds will contribute to enhancing the farm income significantly," says Prof. (Dr.) F.R. Sheriff, Director of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai.
In a day a goose can consume about 250 to 300 g of grass and weeds. Since these birds prefer to feed on tender grass and weeds, they can be more useful in bio-control of weeds in orchards.
The birds lay large eggs, each weighing around 150 g, in August- October season and again in January- February (before and after the monsoon rains). In each season, the birds lay 6 to 8 eggs each on alternate days.
The mother goose sits over the eggs for 28 to 30 days and hatch out their goslings. The young ones start grazing on tender grass within 48 hours of hatching. They relish Hariali grass, and the adult geese too are fond of this spreading grass, according to Prof. Sheriff.
A pair of adult geese is sold at Rs. 900 or Rs. 1000.
These birds are raised mostly in large orchards with plenty of grasslands.
Enriching the soil
Besides, helping the farmers in efficient weed management, the birds also help in enriching the soil through their droppings, which are rich in nitrogen. The birds also serve as watchdogs as they do not let strangers to enter the garden. They will let out a wild call and peck at the intruders, and at times they can chase the intruders by beating them with swift flap of their strong wings.
Goose originates from United Kingdom, China and the United States.
The most popular breeds are Chinese, Embden and Toulouse, and their crosses are found to have to spread far and wide. The birds attain maturity in 18 to 24 months. They live pairs if allowed in the adult age. In such cases, the males live with one female each in their entire life. Like wise, the female goose also will live only with one male throughout its life.
Hence the farmers have to carefully select a male and allow it to mix with 3 to 5 female geese. Then all the females will accept the only one male goose (gander) as their life partner. The gander takes care of all the accepted females during feeding, mating, breeding, hatching and protects them. Normally, the birds live up to 20 years.
Breeding season
The birds breed before and after the monsoon rains. The incubating bird covers all the eggs under its belly and wings rotating them periodically with its beaks. During incubation, the gander will take care of the brooding female and protect it from any intruders.
In 28 to 30 days, the eggs hatch and the goslings will start feeding on grains as well as tender grass. Geese require clean water to swim and they keep their plumage clean by regularly preening with their beaks.
The goslings attain a maximum body weight of about two kg in 6 months. Adult gander weighs about 4 kg and females will weigh between 2.5 to 3 kg each. The ganders can be easily identified by the presence of a conspicuous knob over their beak.
The males always keep their neck and head upright over the females. When all the females are foraging or eating, the gander keeps watch over its wards and protects them from predators, according to Prof. Sheriff.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
