Possibilities of productive and reproductive performance improvement in geese: part I - genetic factors

SUMMARY

Goose is a poultry species modest in terms of breeding conditions that enters breeding relatively late. These birds are characterised by the lowest production of eggs during the season, lower fertility and lower degree of hatchability than any other species of poultry. The productive and reproductive abilities of geese are dependent on genetic and numerous non-genetic factors. The right choice of the genotype, adequate application of breeding technology and incubation of eggs, as well as thoroughly planned selection, can greatly improve the reproductive properties of geese. Selection of genotypes and selection work for their improvement should be in accordance with regional breeding conditions, which allow maximum expression of genetic potential and conservation of animal genetic resources.

KEYWORDS:

• Geese
• production
• reproduction
• genetic factors

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia for sponsoring part of the study within project (contract number 451-03-68/2020-14/200116).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [451-03-9/2021-14/ 200116].

Notes on contributors

Vladan Djermanovic

Dr Vladan Djermanovic, associate professor, was born in 1974. He graduated from The University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture. His PhD and research work are in the field of poultry production, with special interests in reproduction of different poultry species and assessment of incubation eggs quality based on their physical characteristics.

Milena Milojevic

Dr Milena Milojevic,  assistant professor, was born in 1974. She graduated from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture. Her PhD and research work are in the field of poultry production, with special interests in ecological poultry production and application of different ecological technologies in production of poultry eggs and meat, as well as environment protection.

Sreten Mitrovic

Dr Sreten Mitrovic (1955 - 2020), full time professor, graduated, defended his Magisterial and PhD thesis at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, in the field of poultry science. His research interest was improvement of technological aspects of breeding of different poultry species and categories in production of meet and eggs, as well as assessment of quality of eggs for incubation.

Ivana Bozickovic

Dr Ivana Bozickovic, associate professor, was born in 1976. She graduated from the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture. Her PhD is in the field of meat quality, which is her primary interest. Besides this field, she has also worked on improvement of egg shell characteristics.