A method for increasing egg production in goslings

Abstract

This invention provides a method to increase the egg production of breeding geese. The method utilizes artificial light control during the breeding period of replacement geese to promote the full development of their reproductive system, increase ovarian weight during the first laying period, and thus increase the egg production and egg weight in the first laying year. This method is applicable to replacement geese before their first laying period. It increases ovarian weight at the onset of the first laying period, ensuring full development of the reproductive system and increasing the total egg production during that period. Furthermore, this method promotes reproductive system development, resulting in heavier geese entering the first laying period and further increasing egg weight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of goose breeding technology, specifically to a method for increasing the egg production of goose eggs. Background Technology

[0002] The goose is named for its high egg production performance. Goslings reach sexual maturity early, generally starting to lay eggs at 6 months of age. They do not have broodiness and their egg-laying period lasts 4-6 months. The productive lifespan of a female goose is 4-5 years.

[0003] Young geese are characterized by rapid growth, but their reproductive organs develop slowly, causing them to reach sexual maturity later than physical maturity. Egg production varies with age; young geese lay fewer eggs in their first breeding year, increase in the second year, and reach their highest level in the third year. Egg production in the second year is 15-25% higher than in the first, and in the third year it increases by another 10-20% compared to the second year, before declining in the fourth year. This is due to the slow development of the young geese's reproductive organs.

[0004] Although the egg production in the second laying year is higher than in the first, the rest period between the two laying years is as long as 6 months, resulting in high feeding and management costs. In actual production, the sale of culled breeding geese is a significant source of revenue for goose farms and farmers, accounting for 30-40% of sales. To achieve better economic benefits, goose farms and farmers often cull breeding geese after the first laying year, resulting in a problem of low annual egg production and a large number of breeding geese. Increasing the egg production of goose geese in their first laying period can significantly improve the profitability of goose farms and farmers.

[0005] Therefore, providing a method to increase the number of eggs laid by goslings during their first laying period has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The ovary is a vital reproductive organ in geese, and its tissue structure is divided into the cortex and medulla. The ovarian cortex contains numerous follicles at various stages and is the primary site for follicle growth and development. The function of the ovarian medulla is to provide nutrition for follicle growth and development. Increasing the ovarian weight of laying geese can correspondingly increase the number of eggs they lay.

[0007] The average egg weight of goslings is related to their body weight at the time of egg laying.

[0008] Light can regulate the development of the reproductive system in goslings. Goslings are a long-day breeding species, and increased light can stimulate the hypothalamus to secrete hormones, which in turn promote the pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thus promoting the development of gonads (increased ovarian volume and weight) and egg-laying behavior.

[0009] In view of this, the present invention utilizes artificial light regulation during the rearing period of replacement geese to promote the full development of the reproductive system of the geese, increase the ovarian weight of the geese in the first laying period, and thus increase the egg production and egg weight in the first laying year. Specifically, it includes the following steps:

[0010] Light regulation was implemented for egg-laying geese; the first week of light regulation was defined as the start of the first week, and the light regulation operation was as follows:

[0011] Step 1: The first week's light exposure time is 12-12.5 hours / day, then the light exposure time each week is reduced by 1 hour / day compared to the previous week, and the light exposure time is maintained at 9-9.5 hours / day in the fifth week;

[0012] Step 2: During the 6th week, the light duration is 10-10.5 hours / day. Then, the light duration increases by 1 hour / day each week, and the light duration is maintained at 16-16.5 hours / day during the 13th week.

[0013] Step 3: During week 14, the light duration is 15-15.5 hours / day. Then, the light duration is reduced by 1 hour / day each week until week 20, when the light duration is 9-9.5 hours / day.

[0014] Step 4: During week 21, the lighting time is 9.5-10 hours / day. Then, increase the lighting time by 0.5 hours / day each week. When the lighting time reaches 13.5-14 hours / day, maintain the lighting time of 13.5-14 hours / day until the end of the egg-laying period.

[0015] Preferably, the geese are 110-120 days old.

[0016] Preferably, illumination is controlled based on natural light. When the natural light duration is greater than the required light duration, light-avoidance treatment is performed; when the natural light duration is less than the required light duration, artificial light is added. Most preferably, the intensity of the artificial light is 20-30 lx.

[0017] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0018] 1) This method is used for replacement geese before the first egg-laying period of breeding geese.

[0019] 2) This method promotes the full development of the ovaries of breeding geese by "double low light duration regulation" of the breeding geese, increases the ovary weight of the breeding geese when they start laying eggs in the first laying period, and makes the reproductive system of the breeding geese fully developed after entering the first laying period, thereby increasing the total number of eggs laid in the first laying period.

[0020] 3) This method can extend the feeding time of goslings while promoting the development of their reproductive system, thus making them heavier when they enter their first laying period, thereby further increasing egg weight. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] From the flock of goslings born around May 15th, 150 replacement geese were selected according to the selection criteria for replacement geese.

[0024] Around 17 weeks of age, specifically on September 15th, the geese were moved into a shaded breeding house to begin artificial lighting control, with an artificial light intensity of 20-30 lx. Light control was implemented by setting fixed times for lighting in the morning and evening, while the geese fed and exercised outside during the day.

[0025] The first week of light control is designated as the first week of light control, with a light duration of 12 hours / day. The light duration is then reduced by 1 hour / day each week thereafter, i.e., the light duration is 11 hours / day in the second week, until it is reduced to 9 hours / day in the fourth week, and the light duration is maintained at 9 hours / day in the fifth week.

[0026] The light exposure time was then increased by 1 hour per day each week, reaching 10 hours per day in the 6th week, and continuing until it reached 16 hours per day in the 12th week. The light exposure time was maintained at 16 hours per day in the 13th week.

[0027] Then, the light exposure was reduced by 1 hour per day each week, that is, the light exposure time was 15 hours per day in the 14th week, until the light exposure time was 9 hours per day in the 20th week;

[0028] Starting from week 21, increase the lighting time by 0.5 hours per day each week until it reaches 14 hours per day, then maintain this 14 hours per day until the end of the egg-laying period. The artificial light intensity should be 20-30 lx.

[0029] Comparative Example 1

[0030] Among the goslings born around July 15, 150 replacement geese were selected according to the selection criteria for replacement geese.

[0031] Unlike Example 1, natural light was used until 20 weeks of age. Starting from week 21, the light duration was increased by 0.5 hours per day each week until it reached 14 hours per day, which was then maintained at 14 hours per day until the end of the laying period. The artificial light intensity was 20-30 lx.

[0032] Comparative Example 2

[0033] Among the goslings born around July 15, 150 replacement geese were selected according to the selection criteria for replacement geese.

[0034] Unlike Example 1, after the start of egg production, the goose was moved into a shaded breeding house and artificial lighting was introduced. The lighting time was increased by 0.5 hours per day each week until it reached 14 hours per day, and then maintained at 14 hours per day until the end of the egg-laying period. The artificial lighting intensity was 20-30 lx.

[0035] Experimental Example 1

[0036] Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 each had 5 replicates, with 30 geese in each replicate. Before 70 days of age, the goslings in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 were fed the same growing goose feed according to the growing goose feeding standard. After 70 days of age, they were fed the same replacement period breeding goose feed. 20 days before the start of egg production, they were fed laying period breeding goose feed.

[0037] When the geese in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 laid their first eggs, the weight of each goose in the group was weighed, and the average weight of each group was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0038] In Example 1, at 21 weeks of age, 36 weeks of age, and when the egg production rate reached 30%, two female geese were randomly selected from each replicate, and their ovaries were collected and weighed. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0039] In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, at 21 weeks of age and when the egg production rate reached 30%, two female geese were randomly selected from each replicate, and their ovaries were collected and weighed. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0040] The egg-laying period was from the first egg laid in each group until 150 days of egg-laying. Eggs from Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 were collected twice a day, at 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, respectively. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0041] Average egg production: During the entire egg-laying period, the daily egg production of each replicate group in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2 was divided by the number of female geese in the replicate group to obtain the average daily egg production. The average egg production over 150 days was added together to obtain the average egg production during the egg-laying period.

[0042] Average egg weight: During the entire laying period, a replicate was randomly selected from Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-2. The number of eggs laid and the weight of each egg were counted during the laying period of the replicate. The average egg weight was equal to the total egg weight divided by the total number of eggs laid.

[0043] Table 1: Weight at the start of labor

[0044] Weight at first birth (kg / animal) Example 1 <![CDATA[3.87 a ±0.40]]> Comparative Example 1 <![CDATA[3.46 b ±0.33]]> Comparative Example 2 <![CDATA[3.51 b ±0.46]]>

[0045] Note: If the letters in the same column are the same, the difference is not significant; if the letters are different, the difference is extremely significant (p<0.05).

[0046] Table 2: Ovarian weight

[0047] Weight at 21 weeks of age (grams) Weight at 36 weeks of age (grams) Weight (grams) at 30% egg production rate Example 1 <![CDATA[0.52 a ±0.32]]> <![CDATA[12.98 b ±5.44]]> <![CDATA[269.54 c ±101.07]]> Comparative Example 1 <![CDATA[0.63 a ±0.37]]> —— <![CDATA[209.10 d ±65.91]]> Comparative Example 2 <![CDATA[0.58 a ±0.38]]> —— <![CDATA[214.23 d ±86.63]]>

[0048] Note: If the letters in the same column or row are the same, the difference is not significant; if the letters are different, the difference is extremely significant (p<0.05).

[0049] Table 3: Results of Egg Production and Egg Weight

[0050] Average number of eggs per bird Average egg weight (grams / egg) Example 1 <![CDATA[51.72 a ±4.56]]> <![CDATA[146.13 a ±21.24]]> Comparative Example 1 <![CDATA[46.08 b ±4.22]]> <![CDATA[135.84 b ±17.73]]> Comparative Example 2 <![CDATA[44.51 b ±3.98]]> <![CDATA[137.65 b ±26.66]]>

[0051] Note: If the letters in the same column are the same, the difference is not significant; if the letters are different, the difference is significant (p<0.05).

[0052] As shown in Table 1, the average weight of Example 1 at the start of egg production was significantly greater than that of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, by 0.41 kg and 0.36 kg respectively (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Similarly, in Table 3, the average egg weight of Example 1 at the start of egg production was significantly greater than that of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, by 10.29 g and 8.48 g respectively, while there was no significant difference between Comparative Examples 1 and 2. This indicates that increasing pre-laying lighting did not increase the average egg weight, while this method can increase it. The reason is that this method can increase the weight of the goslings at the start of egg production. This demonstrates that this method can improve the egg weight of goslings in their first laying period.

[0053] As shown in Table 2, the ovary weight of Example 1 at 30% egg production rate was significantly greater than that of Comparative Examples 1-2, weighing 60.44 grams and 55.31 grams respectively, while the difference between Comparative Examples 1-2 was not significant. The average number of eggs in Example 1 was significantly greater than that in Comparative Examples 1-2, while the difference between Comparative Examples 1-2 was not significant. Throughout the entire experimental period, Example 1 produced 5.64 more eggs than Comparative Example 1 and 7.21 more eggs than Comparative Example 2, with significant differences (p<0.05). This indicates that this method can increase the egg production of goslings in their first laying period.

[0054] The experimental results show that this method can significantly increase the number of eggs and egg weight of female geese during their first laying period.

[0055] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for increasing the egg production of goslings, characterized in that, Light regulation was implemented for egg-laying geese; the light regulation operation was as follows: the first week was defined as the start of light regulation. Step 1: The first week's light exposure time is 12-12.5 hours / day, then the light exposure time each week is reduced by 1 hour / day compared to the previous week, and the light exposure time is maintained at 9-9.5 hours / day in the fifth week; Step 2: During the 6th week, the light duration is 10-10.5 hours / day. Then, the light duration increases by 1 hour / day each week, and the light duration is maintained at 16-16.5 hours / day during the 13th week. Step 3: During week 14, the light duration is 15-15.5 hours / day. Then, the light duration is reduced by 1 hour / day each week until week 20, when the light duration is 9-9.5 hours / day. Step 4: During week 21, the lighting time is 9.5-10 hours / day. Then, increase the lighting time by 0.5 hours / day each week. When the lighting time reaches 13.5-14 hours / day, maintain the lighting time of 13.5-14 hours / day until the end of the egg-laying period. This method is used for replacement geese before the first laying period of breeding geese to increase the ovarian weight of breeding geese at the start of their first laying period.

2. The method for increasing the egg production of goslings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The growth period for goslings is 110-120 days.

3. The method for increasing the egg production of goslings according to claim 1, characterized in that, Lighting is regulated based on natural light. When the natural light duration is longer than the required light duration, light-blocking measures are taken; when the natural light duration is shorter than the required light duration, artificial light is added.

4. The method for increasing the egg production of goslings according to claim 3, characterized in that, The artificial light intensity is 20-30 lx.