Comparison of linda breed geese (Anserinae sp.) raised in different systems under Şanliurfa conditions in terms of fattening performance, egg productivity characteristics and incocation results

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different feeding systems on the fattening and egg-laying performances of Linda geese under Şanlıurfa conditions, and two different consecutive studies were conducted for this purpose. In the first study, 150 geese were used, and the geese were divided into two groups and each group was divided into 3 replicates to form groups (25 each). One of the groups was raised in closed conditions (always indoors), and the other was raised in semi-intensive conditions (out on pasture). Feeding methods were applied as concentrated feed and pasture (rye grass) + concentrate feed. All groups were fed with rations containing 23% crude protein and 3100 kcal/kg ME between 0-6 weeks, and 20% crude protein and 3100 kcal/kg ME between 7-17 weeks. The ration of the semi-intensive group was diluted with 20% barley after the 7th week, and the animals started to graze on the pasture from the 10th week. Live weight gain was similar in both groups, and geese staying in the shelter consumed more concentrated feed (P<0.05). In both feeding methods, the geese digested the feed protein at similar levels. In the group placed on pasture, there was an increase in digestive internal organ weights, but carcass weight decreased (P<0.05). Growth curves were examined to estimate the age of termination of fattening, and the average slaughter age was determined as 4 and 5 months according to Bertalanffy, Logistic and Gompertz growth models. It has been observed that feeding concentrate feed helps to reach an earlier and higher slaughter weight, but this is not economical. In the first part of the study, it was revealed that concentrate feed supplementation in addition to pasture feeding was the best and economical feeding method for Linda geese. The second phase of the study was carried out to reveal the effect of different feeding methods on the age of first egg laying, egg production and hatching characteristics in Linda geese. In the study, 90 young goslings included in the experiment were divided into two groups and monitored from day old until the egg laying period began. The animals were fed under intensive (concentrate-based feed) and semi-intensive (pasture+concentrate feed) conditions, which were the same as the feeding method in the first experiment. Geese in both groups started laying eggs at an average age of 9 months. However, under intensive rearing conditions, egg laying started a week earlier. The egg laying period in geese lasted approximately 13 weeks and an average of 36 eggs per goose were obtained during this period. In the experiment, the differences between the averages obtained for both groups in terms of characteristics such as total egg production, weekly egg production, egg weight and hatchability were found to be insignificant. Geese in the semi-intensive group had lower values in terms of daily measurable feed consumption and therefore the feed utilization rate for eggs was lower in this group (P<0.05). Although concentrate feeding encouraged earlier egg laying, egg yields and external egg quality characteristics of the groups were found to be similar. As a result, it can be said that the breeding of Linda geese with concentrate feed supplement (semi-intensive) in addition to pasture feeding is more suitable and economical than the intensive system based on concentrate feed.