An experiment was conducted to investigate effects of starter feeding time on growth and development of Yangzhou geese. A total of 480 Yangzhou geese of similar weight were selected and randomly assigned to four groups according to four feeding schedules (fasting for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h posthatch ), designated respectively as group 1, 2, 3, 4. Each group of 120 birds comprised of four replicate subgroups with 30 geese per group comprising of 15 males and 15 females. After fasting, all birds were provided with feedstuff ad libitum until 28 d of age. At 12h, 36h, 60h, 108h, 156h, 14d, 21d and 28d posthatch, two geese (1 male and 1 female) per replicate of each experimental group were randomly selected and individually weighed. Gizzard, small intestine, heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, and bursa of Fabricus of each goose were taken out and weighed. Results showed that initial food deprivation reduced body weight (BW) of experimental geese, with less BW realized as the fasting period was prolonged. At 28 d of age, BW of the first three groups of geese (fasted for 12-36h) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of group 4 (fasted for 48h). The starter feeding time influenced the growth of viscera apparatus, and all the viscera of geese in groups 1, 2 and 3 were heavier than for geese in group 4, though the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Results of the present study demonstrated that the maximum fasting period with no significantly negative effect on final performance was 36 h posthatch. Therefore, to ensure good performance, Yangzhou geese should be fed within 36h posthatch.

Key words

Geese, starter feeding time, growth performance

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