Features of Toulouse geese
One of the world's most popular poultry is the goose, a member of the duck family. Today there are many species of goose, many of which are bred specifically for farming. The article tells about such a breed as the Toulouse geese.
Toulouse geese
Breeding history
Breeders from sunny Toulouse, which is located in the south of France, set themselves the task of obtaining a productive species that would bring quality meat and justify the costs of its maintenance. By crossing selected representatives, a new breed was eventually obtained.
Bred in France in the 18th century, the Toulouse breed of geese gradually gained popularity throughout Europe, and then beyond. Today the Toulouse goose holds the first place in popularity among domestic breeds. In the photo you can see how beautiful this view is, and its description deserves special attention.
Appearance and description
Toulouse geese have gray plumage (a legacy of wild relatives), which darkens as the bird matures. The neck, back and wings are darker in color than the rest of the body, but the belly is usually white. Sometimes you can find a different color in a bird - brown. The Toulouse are large, representative birds with a massive body and legs, a large head, and a thick neck. The beak is wide, flattened, orange. The weight of an adult Toulouse goose can reach up to 11 kg, a goose - about 7 kg.
One important sign is the presence or absence of a special fold on the goose's belly, called a "purse". It is generally accepted that wallet representatives are more meaty than their opponents. But the wallet-free ones are prolific and not as clumsy as the overweight owners of the "wallet". Also, a goose may / may not have a belly fold. What explains the popularity of the breed among farmers? The advantages that Toulouse geese have are many:
- fast weight gain;
- productivity;
- a large amount of quality meat, fat, large, delicious liver and valuable fluff.
As you can see, Toulouse geese are ideal for slaughter, therefore this species can often be found among the “population” of the poultry farm. Of course, like any breed, geese from Toulouse have their own nuances in breeding:
- fastidiousness and delicacy;
- soreness, poor cold tolerance;
- passivity and, as a result, looseness of the muscles;
- poorly developed hen instinct in the female.
Caring for the imposing, obese Toulouse requires effort and effort, but the invested labor and financial costs justify themselves with a rich harvest of goose. How to properly maintain the breed, read below.
Basic care requirements
If you decide to breed Toulouse, be prepared for conscientious work: in order to get healthy offspring and high-quality goose, you need to carefully follow the advice of professionals. Demanding to life, these birds need certain conditions.
- Warm room for living. The temperature must be at least 20 ° C.Drafts should be avoided, but the house should be regularly ventilated. Any change in weather conditions causes discomfort to the goose.
- Lovers of comfort, geese need dry bedding made of a material that absorbs moisture well. It is best if it is sphagnum peat: sawdust or straw are also suitable. Extra bedding is included in winter.
- Regular wet cleaning of the house is advisable every day. The increased humidity level is unfavorable for poultry.
- Have a clean trough and drinker that must always be full. Intensive weight gain is achieved through abundant and regular nutrition, with more food consumed at night than during the day. The Toulouse's diet necessarily includes grain, wheat, corn, compound feed and grass. It is important to ensure that pets receive all the necessary minerals with their food.
- The house should be equipped with a sand trough so that the geese can take a bath and thus clean their feathers of dirt and skin vermin.
- Set up a flock area or paddock near the goose that is well lit by the sun. In the warm season, geese can spend most of their time there. Provide the area with a dense canopy and fence (preferably mesh).
- Twice a season after molting, the wings of the pets should be clipped so that they do not have the opportunity to fly out of the yard.
Poultry farmers recommend dividing the house into sections, placing birds with the calculation of 3 geese and 2 gander per 2 sq. m. If you are interested in Toulouse geese, in the photo you can see incredibly attractive handsome men.
Breeding toulouse geese
The issue of offspring requires a separate discussion. When equipping a poultry house, it should be borne in mind that each section should be equipped with 2-3 nests. As mentioned above, the goose of the described breed is not a very responsible hen, so the owner will have to lay eggs under the laying hen or use the services of an incubator. It is imperative to provide birds with comfortable conditions for breeding, primarily warm and light. Egg-laying in Toulouse geese begins in early spring and brings the farmer about 40 eggs from one individual per year.
When the goslings are five days old, they can be released for a walk, provided the weather is warm. It is important to ensure that chicks are properly fed at least 6 times a day. It is necessary to prepare a special mixture of grated cereals, herbs and vegetables. With appropriate care, newborns will gain weight very quickly and will weigh about 4 kg by the age of 2 months.
Proper care is the key to the profitability of the Toulouse goose for the owner. Choosing this particular bird, you will not be mistaken and will be rewarded with a good profit, because Toulouse geese are extremely productive and profitable.