Features of the Kuban geese
Kuban geese are a breed of large poultry, known since the late sixties of the twentieth century. Its main advantage is its unsurpassed egg production. Actually, this was the goal of the employees of the poultry department of the Kuban Agricultural Institute, who were engaged in breeding a new breed by crossing Gorky geese with Chinese ones.
Kuban geese
In goose breeding, breeds are divided into three groups: heavy meat, medium decorative and light egg. The considered species of geese belongs to the third group.
Characteristics of the exterior of the Kuban geese
Among its relatives, this bird stands out for its special position of the chest: it is slightly raised. Seen from the side, the shape of the body is similar to that of a rook. The neck is long and curved. The head is large, at the base of the dark beak there is a bump on the forehead. Legs are medium in size, paws are dark in color.
The plumage is grayish-brown. In the photo on the Internet, you can see that there is a dark brown stripe on the head and neck of the feathered bird. A description of this bird is offered below, so you can be sure that this is an amazing specimen. By the way, the disadvantages of the geese of the proposed breed include the color of the skin and plumage to the detriment of the quality of the carcass.
Description of biological features
This breed shows record figures for the number of eggs laid per year: up to 100 pieces. The average is 75-90 eggs from one female. Moreover, egg production begins upon reaching the age of 7 months, while the old geese give more and more eggs every year. The egg is large, light milky in color, the shell is strong, thick, can withstand minor blows, the weight of one piece is about 150 g. Eggs are collected daily, and the presence of nests is not necessary.
Geese hatch clutches closer to autumn, starting in mid-summer. Only about 60% of birds sit on the nest. These geese have a certain order in the order of production of offspring. Old geese sit down to hatch eggs first, then young ones. If you separate the young from the herd, then the timing can be shifted and chicks can be obtained earlier.
The Kuban breed of geese is distinguished by the rapid growth of young animals. Chicks at the age of 3 months reach 3.5 kg in weight - this can be clearly seen by looking at the photo. An adult male can have a live weight of about 6 kg, a female - 5. Several males are permissible in a herd. The male is taller. These geese are also valued for their longevity. Kuban gray geese can live up to 20 years. The good reviews from breeders are explained by:
- high hatchability of Kuban goslings (75-85%);
- good preservation of young animals (up to 90%);
- the rapid onset of high egg production in females (210-240 days).
Keeping conditions for geese
Domestic geese are always welcome birds on the farm. The Kuban breed is distinguished by its unpretentious care and feeding. These birds get along well with neighbors in the poultry house, they are non-aggressive, calm in behavior. Reviews about them are the most positive: the birds are resistant to weather conditions, productive, undemanding to feed.
How to build a poultry shed, you can learn from the video on the Internet. Keeping geese consists in changing the litter, otherwise various diseases will begin. Ventilation is also required. The main food that is available on pastures in summer is green crops plus vegetable waste with a small amount of compound feed and clean water. Buckets, troughs can be used as drinkers. There should be enough water, especially in hot weather. Sawdust, shavings, straw, peat can serve as material for bedding. Sand can be used in summer. For one goose, it is necessary to prepare about 40 kg of litter per year.
Use on the farm
The Kuban breed of geese is of great benefit to humans. Used in the household and down, and feathers, and, most importantly, delicious poultry meat. Kuban geese have thick down and dense feathers. Down, which has low hygroscopicity, is mainly used for the manufacture of pillows. They are of excellent quality: they do not get lost, do not dry out, and remain light and soft for many years.
Goose meat has excellent taste. The fat of this bird contains almost no cholesterol; it is used in medicine and pharmacology. Goose liver is a well-known delicacy; exquisite pate is made from it. However, if the main goal of the poultry farmer is high egg production and good hatchability for goslings, then the Kuban geese are the most successful choice.