Effect of access to water source on egg, hatching and growth characteristics of native-geese reared under village conditions

The effects of access to water resources on egg, hatchability and growth characteristics of native geese reared under village conditions in Kars province were investigated in this study. In the Kars region, goose breeding is carried out by the public in three different systems: with access to permanent water resources (AW), with limited access to water resources (LAW) and with no access to water resources (NAW). In this study, the 6-month growth characteristics of goose eggs and chicks hatched from these eggs were evaluated in the three breeding types with a ratio of one male to two or three females (1♂:2−3♀) or one male to four or five females (1♂:4−5♀). In this context, hatching eggs collected from each rearing group were monitored under natural rearing conditions. Basic egg characteristics such as laying period, egg production (%), number of eggs (number), average egg weight and shape index were regularly monitored in the domestic geese included in the study. Measurements regarding the fertility rate, hatchability, hatchability and embryonic mortality levels were recorded during the incubation period. Hatching chicks were marked with numbered rings and their individual growth performances were monitored periodically. The effects of AW, LAW and NAW rearing conditions and different male-female ratios on egg, hatchability and growth parameters were evaluated within the scope of the General Linear Model; statistical differences between the groups were determined by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Kaplan–Meier survival curve technique was used in the analysis of data on survival ability. In the AW, LAW and NAW breeding types groups, the egg-laying period was 62.26 days, 58.54 days and 71.24 days, respectively; egg production (number) per goose was 18.86, 16.64 and 17.86, respectively. No statistical difference was found in terms of hatchability characteristics in geese raised in different types in the public. Average daily live weight gain (DLWG) was found to be 21.10ga, 18.87gb and 19.60gb in AW, LAW and NAW breeding types, respectively, in the 3-6 month period (P<0.001). No significant difference was found in terms of survival between hatching and 6th month according to rearing types (AW, LAW and NAW). Although geese are a water-dependent species in their natural habitat, the fact that many characteristics examined in geese according to EVAR, ESVAR and EYOK rearing types did not change significantly indicates that these animals have successfully adapted to the environmental conditions of the Kars region.