Dietary chitosan (CS) supplementation could improve the growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent digestibility and digestive enzyme activities in pigs, broiler chickens, rats and fish, whereas no data has been reported about the effect of CS on the growing Huoyan geese. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of CS on growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent utilization and digestive enzyme activities of growing Huoyan geese. Three hundred and twenty (28 days of age, gender balance) Huoyan geese were randomly divided into control, CS100, CS200 and CS400 groups (based on BW) with 20 geese per pen and 4 replicates pen per group, and the feeding experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that CS200 groups had higher average daily gain, final BW, apparent utilization of DM and CP, and lower feed/gain ratio compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, CS100 and CS200 groups had higher villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio and lower crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The geese in CS100 and CS200 groups had higher villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio and lower crypt depth of ileum compared with those in control and CS400 groups (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with the control group, CS200 group has higher trypsin activities and lower lipase activities in duodenal, jejunal and ileal contents (P < 0.05). The results suggested that addition of 200 mg/kg CS had positive effects on growth rate, small intestinal morphology, nutrients apparent utilization and digestive enzyme activities of growing Huoyan geese.

Conservation of animal genetic resources is considered as one of the main challenges of today's breeding. Every breed of livestock is a valuable element of the world's animal genetic diversity. Over the last few decades, considerable reductions in the number of local breeds and their sizes have been registered. This trend caused the need to implement conservation programmes for endangered goose species. Poland has a number of local goose breeds which are the achievements of many generations of breeders. The objective of this review was to present the current status of the realised conservation programmes for 14 goose breeds in Poland by analysing population and molecular parameters. The conservation status of these populations has been presented including the effective population sizes, hypothetical inbreeding level, trends in performance traits as well as parameters estimated on the basis of genetic markers. In all the cases population sizes were well over 100 individuals, which is the minimum recommended by the FAO for conservation flocks. The effective population size ranged from 179 to 452, affecting a relatively low inbreeding level from 0.1 to 0.74%. The estimated correlations between hypothetical inbreeding rates and reproduction traits were negative. The heterozygosity coefficients varied from 0.27 (Biłgorajska breed) to 0.55 (Garbonosa breed). Generally, the parameters for goose breeds in Poland were compatible with the recommendations of the FAO.

The study was aimed to identify, characterize and describe the phenotypic variation of indigenous goose populations in Bangladesh. The research was conducted at Sylhet Sadar Upazilla in Sylhet district and encompassed about 141 geese (74 brown type and 67 white type). Least Square Mean ± SE of body length, wing span, shank length, beak length and head length of mature indigenous goose were 73.47 ± 0.95, 134.53 ± 1.38, 9.27 ± 0.09, 8.88 ± 0.10 and 6.42 ± 0.02 cm, respectively. Males were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than their female counterparts for all morphometric traits but no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between two types. The body weight of indigenous goose at day old, 2-week, 1-month, 2-month and 10-month of age were 95.45 ± 0.88, 148.59 ± 1.55, 407.34 ± 7.27 gm, 1.19 ± 0.03 kg and 3.65 ± 0.06 kg, respectively. Males were significantly (p < 0.01) heavier than females in all age groups except day old gosling but no significant difference (p > 0.05) were observed for body weights between two types of goose. Egg weight, egg length, egg width, incubation period, clutch size, number of eggs in a breeding season and age at first egg were 131.85 ± 1.70 gm, 7.40 ± 0.02 cm, 5.22 ± 0.02 cm, 30.30 ± 0.07 days, 7.42 ± 0.08, 20.52 ± 0.38 and 313.22 ± 3.03 days, respectively. The number of eggs in a breeding season of brown type were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of white type goose. This study provides a bench mark for the morphometric traits and performance of goose in Bangladesh.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of geese’s maternal diet supplemented with flaxseed on the fatty acid profiles of egg yolks and the antioxidant status of their offspring. A total of 288 female Huoyan geese (42 weeks old) were randomly allotted to four experimental groups in this 56-day experiment and fed on diets containing flaxseed at 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. There were nine replicate pens per treatment, with eight geese per replicate pen. The concentration of α-linolenic acid (linear, P<0.01), EPA (20:5n-3; linear, P<0.01), DHA (22:6n-3; quadratic, P=0.03) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (linear, P<0.01) levels in the yolk lipids increased with increasing dietary flaxseed levels. Yolk palmitic acid (16:0, linear, P=0.05), saturated fatty acid (linear, P=0.04) level and total n-6/n-3 ratio (P<0.01) decreased in a linear fashion as dietary flaxseed levels increased. Increasing dietary flaxseed levels linearly decreased (P=0.01) the total cholesterol in egg yolks. After hatching, three 1-day-old gosling were selected randomly from each replicate to determine blood characteristics and liver antioxidant status. Aspartate aminotransferase activity (linear, P=0.03), total triglycerides (linear, P=0.02) and total cholesterol (linear, P=0.05) contents in blood linearly decreased as the levels of flaxseed increased. A linear dose response to maternal dietary flaxseed was detected for the activities of the goslings’ liver enzymes catalase (linear, P=0.01), superoxide dismutase (linear, P<0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (linear, P<0.01). The malondialdehyde (quadratic, P=0.03) and alkaline phosphatase content in the livers of goslings decreased as flaxseed supplementation levels increased. In conclusion, the dietary addition of flaxseed up to 15%, in the maternal diet resulted in increased n-3 PUFA levels in egg yolks and improved the antioxidant status of offspring in a dose-dependent manner.

This study was conducted by two trials to investigate effects of sequential feeding with low- and high-protein diets on growth traits and plasma metabolites in geese. In Trial I, the effect of sequential feeding under time-restricted feeding system was investigated. Seventy-two White Roman goslings were randomly allotted into either sequential feeding (S1) or control feeding (C1) group. All goslings were fed for 1 h at morning and at evening, respectively, from 2 to 8 weeks of age. S1 group was offered 13% CP diet at morning and 19% CP diet at evening. C1 group was offered the same diet (16% CP; mixed equally with the two diets mentioned above) at both morning and evening. Blood samples were hourly collected for 4 h after feeding at both morning and evening for the determination of the postprandial plasma levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and uric acid at the end of experiment. Results showed that BW, average daily gain (ADG), and daily feed intake (FI) were not different between groups, but the feed efficiency (FE) in S1 group was significantly higher than that in C1 group (P<0.05). The areas under curve (AUC) of plasma postprandial levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and uric acid were not affected by treatment, but the AUC of triacylglycerol and uric acid in morning were lower than those in evening (P<0.05). In Trial II, the effect of sequential feeding under ad libitum feeding system was investigated. Twenty-four goslings were randomly allotted into either sequential feeding (S2) or control feeding (C2) group. Diets were altered at 0600 and 1800 h, respectively, and geese were fed ad libitum from 4 to 8 weeks of age. S2 group was offered 14% CP diet at morning and 20% CP diet at evening. C2 group was supplied the same diet (mixed with the two diets according to the ratio of diets consumed by S2 group on the preceded day) at both morning and evening. Results showed that the ADG in S2 group was higher than those in C2 group (P<0.05). Summarized data from both trials showed that sequential feeding improves daily gain and FE in growing geese.

Because the production of oat geese in Poland, destined mostly for markets of Western Europe, has increased, there is a need for a review on the performance traits of these geese and on the quality of their meat and fat. Goose production is based on a genotype of Italian geese brought to Poland in 1962 and selected for improving their reproduction and meat traits. Currently the population of geese, their reproduction and the commercial birds derived from them, are referred to as White Kołudzka® geese. Selection of these birds is based on a programme based on genetic improvement of strains W11 (reproduction traits) and W33 (meat traits). The programme's aim is not only to enhance breeding and the performance value of these strains, but to produce, as a result of cross breeding, good quality of meat and fat in the form of the crossbred W31, and thus to produce oat geese that meet today's market requirements. Poland is one of the largest goose producers in Europe. Goose meat and fat show high nutritional quality due to the specific nutrition and conditions in which the geese are kept, i.e. in open-air runs and at pasture. Recently, goose meat has become increasingly popular and has attracted much consumer interest. This increase in demand requires more knowledge about the meat's nutritional value. Polish oat geese are reared up to 14 weeks of age, then fattened freely with oats up to the 17th week of age. Fattening with oats results in good quality meat and fat, with excellent sensory properties. The following paper reviews the rearing systems, slaughter value and quality of meat and fat of White Kołudzka® geese kept under semi-intensive systems.

This study comprises two trials that investigated the effects of feeding time and time-restricted feeding on the fattening traits and plasma metabolite levels of White Roman geese. In Trial I, 24 geese aged 8 weeks of each sex were allowed free access to a fattening diet for 1 h either in the morning (morning-feeding group) or afternoon (afternoon-feeding group). At 12 weeks of age, blood samples were collected hourly for 4 h, beginning 1 h after feeding to determine the plasma levels of glucose, triacylglycerols and uric acid. The results showed a lower (P<0.05) daily feed intake (DFI) and daily gain (DG) and higher (P<0.05) feed efficiency (FE) for the morning-feeding group compared with those of the afternoon-feeding group. In addition, the postprandial plasma levels of glucose, triacylglycerols and uric acid did not differ (P>0.05) between groups. In Trial II, 12 geese aged 8 weeks of each sex were randomly assigned to either the ad libitum feeding group (control group) or time-restricted feeding group (restricted group). The geese in the control group were fed a fattening diet ad libitum, whereas those in the restricted group were allowed access to the diet for 2 h every morning. All geese were killed at 13 weeks of age and their carcass traits were evaluated. The results showed a lower DFI and DG and higher FE for the restricted group compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the restricted group exhibited lower visceral and abdominal fat and higher empty digestive tract and liver weights than those of the control group (P<0.05). The results showed that time-restricted feeding in the morning resulted in superior DG and FE compared with feeding in the afternoon. Moreover, time-restricted feeding implemented in the morning during the fattening period reduced DFI and increased FE in geese compared with ad libitum feeding.

In 2008, avian bornaviruses (ABV) were identified as the cause of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). PDD is a significant condition of captive parrots first identified in the late 1970s. ABV infection has subsequently been shown to be widespread in wild waterfowl across the United States and Canada where the virus infects 10–20% of some populations of ducks, geese and swans. In most cases birds appear to be healthy and unaffected by the presence of the virus; however, infection can also result in severe non-suppurative encephalitis and lesions similar to those seen in parrots with PDD. ABVs are genetically diverse with seven identified genotypes in parrots and one in canaries. A unique goose genotype (ABV-CG) predominates in waterfowl in Canada and the northern United States. ABV appears to be endemic in North American waterfowl, in comparison to what appears to be an emerging disease in parrots. It is not known whether ABV can spread between waterfowl and parrots. The discovery of ABV infection in North American waterfowl suggests that European waterfowl should be evaluated for the presence of ABV, and also as a possible reservoir species for Borna disease virus (BDV), a related neurotropic virus affecting horses and sheep in central Europe. Although investigations have suggested that BDV is likely derived from a wildlife reservoir, for which the shrew and water vole are currently prime candidates, we suggest that the existence of other mammalian and avian reservoirs should not be discounted.

The potential for direct transmission of type A influenza viruses from wild waterfowl to humans is undefined. This study estimated exposure of hunters to avian influenza virus (AIV) resulting from direct contact with potentially infected waterfowl in Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA) and Minnesota (MN), and demonstrated variation in the risk of exposure to AIV by hunting location and time. Hunting begins earlier in MN, starting in October, and later in GA and LA, usually starting in November. In addition, the numbers of hunters and birds harvested varies considerably in each state, with LA hosting the largest harvest in the USA Temporal effects resulted in variation of the exposure risk per hunter-day, with a higher risk associated with the earlier months of the hunting season. Exposure risk in locations varied due to AIV prevalence during each hunting season, average bird harvest per hunter-day, and ratio of juveniles/adult birds harvested (higher risk associated with higher ratios). Population risk is discussed based on the exposure risk and number of active hunters in each state per month. The risk of human exposure to AIV was also shown to be temporally distinct from the time of greatest risk of human influenza A infection during circulation of seasonal human influenza viruses, making recombination events due to co-infection unlikely.

Waterfowl production has been on an upward trend and has become increasingly important around the world over time. The production of ducks worldwide in 2010 was 6-fold greater that of 1961, and that of geese was 9.8-fold over the same period. The progress in waterfowl production represents not only an increase in the quantity of the product, but also in quality. Waterfowl performance progress, genetics and breeding, reproduction, nutrition, management and housing, and product quality and utilisation are discussed in this article, alongside a review of the history of the Waterfowl Working Group (WWG) which was established in 1969 as Working Group 8 under the European Federation (EF). After moving to the Asian Pacific Federation (APF) in 2011, it became Working Group 2.

The aim of this trial was to study the influence of feed form on the performance, gizzard development and carcass traits of growing geese. Between 42 and 98 days of age, 360 geese (type Maxipalm®) were fed a diet containing 500 g sorghum/kg (nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy 12.6 MJ/kg, 15.1 g/kg CP). Birds were divided into three groups differing in feed form: complete pellets (Control group, n = 120); a coarse-ground meal (CG group, n = 120); or a mixture containing protein-rich pellets and sorghum whole grains (M group, n = 120). Feed intake per pen (40 birds/pen) was measured weekly between 42 and 98 days of age, and individual live weight (LW) was measured every 2 weeks. At 84 and 98 days of age, 12 birds were slaughtered in each group to measure the gizzard development and body traits. Irrespective of the goose sex, LW at 98 days was lower for the CG group than for the Control group (5555 v. 5888 g, P < 0.05 for males and 5039 v. 5215 g, P < 0.05 for females). The feed intake over the entire period was 5.5% higher in the M group (P < 0.05) than in the Control and CG groups but the feed conversion ratio (6.91, P > 0.05) was similar in the three groups. The gizzard development (as % of LW) was higher in birds of the CG group than those of the Control and M groups at 84 days of age (+13.98% and +13.51%, respectively; P < 0.05) but was similar in all three groups at 98 days of age (4.01%, P > 0.05). The relative liver development was lower in the birds of the CG group than those of the other two groups at 84 and 98 days of age (−20%, P < 0.001 and −10%, P < 0.05, respectively). The other body traits were similar in the three groups at both 84 and 98 days of age. The present results suggest that a simplified diet presented in the form of a mixture of sorghum whole grains and protein-rich pellets did not reduce the performance of growing geese.

Currently most breeds and lines of geese in use at a commercial scale are derived from two wild species; the swan goose (Anser cygnoides L.) and the true goose-greylag (Anser anser L.). Interestingly, local selections performed for centuries from these two ancestors have resulted in strains or breeds expressing large differences for a range of phenotypic traits including size, body weight, feather colour, behaviour and physiology (including reproductive performance), along with carcass characteristics, flavour and chemical composition of the meat.

When compared with other poultry species, the main factors that have limited geese production and geese meat consumption in Europe are the seasonality of its reproduction and the low fertility of breeder flocks (e.g. egg production, fertility and hatchability rates, low male to female ratio, poor semen quality) associated with, on average, relatively high proportions of lipid tissues in the carcasses of their progeny. Some of the above problems can be eliminated or at least reduced by the application of artificial insemination procedures and by selective breeding on fertility and seasonality.

The present paper reviews the main particularities of artificial insemination techniques developed in the goose with regards to the morphology and physiology of male reproductive organs. The main characteristics of ejaculates along with some morphological aspects of sperm morphology, semen collection procedures and semen quality assessment are also described. Finally, geese insemination procedures along with their interests and limits are discussed.

Intron 5 of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) gene was cloned and its single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was tested by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) in Wanxi White geese (WW) (Anser anser). The carcass, meat quality and feather-down traits of 116 geese from WW males×Sichuan White goose (A. anser) females were assessed and analysed in association with SNP. The results showed that the sequence length of intron 5 of the HMGR gene in geese was 704 bp, and the homology between goose and chicken was 44.0%. A SNP site was tested in intron 5 by PCR-SSCP, and frequencies of alleles A and B at the SNP site were 0.7716 and 0.2284, respectively. The effects of genotype AA were significant, not only on an increase of chest muscle weight, stomach gland weight (P<0.05), fibre diameter of chest muscle and 1000-down weight (P<0.01), but also on a decrease of down water-holding percentage and pH of chest muscle 45 min after slaughterP<0.05). The effect of genotype AB was in the opposite direction to that of genotype AA.

An artificial gizzard was developed to investigate the functional basis of the asymmetry of the gizzard muscles of herbivorous birds, such as the domestic goose (Anser anser). Two types of gizzard muscle morphology were modelled: asymmetric muscles that generated a translational movement; and symmetric muscles that generated a compressional movement. The extent of breakdown of grass in the artificial gizzard was estimated by measuring nitrogen loss from blades of wheat (Triticum aestivum). The effect of grit and its interaction with the two types of gizzard muscle movement were also explored. In the artificial gizzard, translational movements caused more damage to grass than compressional movements and the damaging effect of grit was greatest when there was a translational movement. This type of movement was found to be particularly important as it prepares plant material for subsequent processing by stripping the matrix cells from the fibre bundles. Without such preparation, the breakdown of grass is limited.

How geese break down food in their gizzards was investigated using an artificial gizzard that was loaded with grass (blades of wheat Triticum aestivum) and different quantities of four types of grit; large and small quartzite particles and large and small glass beads. Measuring nitrogen loss from the grass indicated the extent of damage to the grass. It was found that grass breakdown in the gizzard was most effective when it contained a small quantity of quartzite particles. In contrast, glass beads in the gizzard often resulted in less damage to grass than if they were absent. This suggests that there is a trade-off between the damaging effect of grit on grass and the damaging translational movement of the gizzard lumen walls generated as the gizzard contracts. The damaging force produced by the gizzard is distributed across the gizzard contents. Thus with an increase in grit quantity in the gizzard, the force experienced by each grass particle will be reduced, resulting in reduced breakdown.