Raising poultry is work that requires effort and patience. Feeding the birds is the breeder’s primary task, and it is necessary to take into account all the characteristics of the species and prepare the diet correctly. You can learn from experienced farmers about what and how to feed geese. As a rule, the composition of the diet is associated with the seasonality inherent in keeping poultry.
What to feed geese at home for rapid growth
When planning the keeping of geese, you should consider the diet plan. There are several types of poultry feed. In addition, birds need to be provided with vitamins and minerals. The main item in the diet of geese is greens. Cereals act as an additional item in the diet.
Dry food
Adults are often fed dry food. Dry food refers to types of legumes, crushed grain, and flour mixtures. Geese eat dry food throughout the year; this type is convenient to give in feeders, it does not require preparation, and is stored well.
Approximate diet table:
| Stern | Daily value in grams |
| Corn | 50 |
| Peas | 30 |
| Wheat bran | 30 |
Wet mash
Wet food, or mashes, are formulations in which boiled vegetables and crushed grain are mixed. The mixture is poured with water, vegetable or meat broth, as well as whey. A special feature of wet mash is its preparation before feeding. Geese readily eat this food; it is especially necessary for those birds that are kept away from bodies of water.
Mixtures filled with whey or kefir are not given in hot weather, as the mixture sours in the sun and becomes unsuitable for consumption. A budget option is to prepare mash with water.
To prepare wet mash for livestock, special equipment is used for crushing and mixing grain. A special feature of the preparation is the correct mixing of the components. The structure of the resulting composition should be such that the food crumbles in your hands when mixed.
Approximate diet table:
| Type of feed | Daily norm |
| Mixture of grain and broth | 100 |
| Pea mixture with added whey | 80 |
Reference! Geese are transferred to wet mash when they want to fatten them quickly.
Combined method
The method involves a mixed type of feeding. It is actively used during the fattening period.
Approximate diet table:
| Type of feed | When to give |
| Dry food | In the morning |
| Homemade moist vegetable mash | In the evening |
The composition of the diet may be different; there is no one recipe. With a mixed type of feeding, it is customary to give mixed feed and succulent food with herbs. At the same time, the amount of succulent feed significantly exceeds the amount of mixed feed offered.
Mixed feeding is a traditional type of diet composition. It is distinguished by convenience, practicality and efficiency. Mixed feeding produces good quality meat and also ensures maximum egg production.
Basic feeding rules
For a new farmer, you should understand from day one what your goal is. The type of nutrition of geese raised for meat differs significantly from the feeding of females that will lay eggs and provide the farm with feathers.
The peculiarity and basic norm when feeding geese is the transfer of high-calorie meals to the evening. This is due to the fact that the bird's appetite begins to appear late in the evening.
In order for geese to quickly gain weight, they are actively fed with mash in the evenings. The diet should contain high-calorie food that provides the goose with the necessary vitamins and minerals. At the same time, during the period that lasts from the beginning of fattening to slaughter, it is necessary to arrange 1 fasting day in the middle of the week so that the bird does not begin to get fat. During weight gain, it is important to ensure that the fat is evenly distributed throughout the carcass.
Dietary features depending on the season
Keeping poultry is directly related to the changing seasons. In summer, geese spend a lot of time on pastures.They feed on succulent food found on their own. In winter, geese are given more hay to replace the greens they are used to.
During the summer
In summer, geese graze on paddocks. The majority of the diet consists of found insects. Geese love to hunt for worms and caterpillars. During the hot season, the owner can forget about calculations and not worry about preparing mash, provided that the birds spend the whole day walking. After sunset, the geese are given dry food, water is added and left until the morning. In the early morning, the birds are sent out for a walk, only to be picked up again in the evening and locked up in the poultry house.
In winter
In winter, geese are fed with complete feed. The main components of the diet are grain mixtures, root vegetables, and grass flour. All birds, without exception, need additional vitamins. Due to lack of light, vitamin D is systematically added to the diet.
The winter feeding period for geese is considered to be the period that lasts from November to March. Basic Rules:
- November and December birds are fed in the morning and evening. In the morning they give the prepared mash, in the evening they give the soaked grain.
- January is the month when geese are fed three meals a day. They are fed grain in the morning and evening, and wet mash is given between these meals.
- Before the egg-laying period, the number of meals is increased to 4 times. In the morning and evening, the birds are fed with mash; other feeds involve the addition of dry food or soaked grain.
In winter, it is recommended to dilute the diet by adding hay and dried grass. Before feeding, the hay is chopped, brewed with boiling water, cooled and offered to the birds.
What should you not give to geese?
Geese are called omnivorous birds; they are able to swallow any object that fits into their beak if they are too hungry. The breeder's task is to control the feeding of the geese. You should not give them spoiled, moldy or sour food. Such products can cause serious stomach problems in the entire population. Grass is added to the daily feed with caution. Lavender, quinoa or lily of the valley contain toxic substances that cause poisoning in the entire herd.
It is especially recommended to carefully control the addition of salt to the diet. Despite the fact that table salt is necessary for the full growth and development of individuals, its amount should not exceed the established standards.
Experienced farmers pay special attention to the structure of the prepared wet mash. The mixtures are brought to such a state that they crumble when stirred, but do not form a lump.
Signs of improper feeding of birds
The result of an incorrectly formulated diet, lack of minerals and vitamins can result in the development of various diseases. To prevent the problem, you should pay attention to the appearance of the bird. If signs of underfeeding are detected, the diet plan should be adjusted, other feeds purchased, and the necessary supplements made.
How to determine if a bird is being fed incorrectly:
- If young animals have an upset stomach in the summer, this may be a sign of an overabundance of green feed. To correct the situation, it is necessary to transfer the geese to feeding boiled yolk and cereal. In addition, you should reduce the amount of drink you drink.
- Coughing and breathing difficulties appear in birds when the diet is oversaturated with dry flour mixtures.To correct the situation, it is necessary to increase wet food. At the same time, wet sand is poured into the feeders. Its absorption will help the bird's intestines cleanse themselves.
Certain difficulties are associated with the beginning of walking. Sometimes geese that begin to graze near water bodies experience indigestion. The phenomenon is caused by eating sludge or swallowing small fish or shells. Gradually, the intestinal microflora returns to normal and adapts to new conditions. If indigestion is complicated by profuse diarrhea, vomiting and shortness of breath, it is recommended to give the bird antibiotics.
During free range, young animals are capable of ingesting poisonous herbs. This leads to indigestion and worsening general condition. If this happens, the breeders forcibly rinse the young animals’ stomachs and leave them without walking for several days.
