Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different free-range systems on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of geese. Grass pasture zones in the study area were selected, and 28 d-old male Yangzhou geese with similar body weights (1.57 ± 0.12 kg) were randomly allocated to one of three conditions: (A) free-range conditions in the apron area during 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (10–20 m from shed with grass pasture); (B) free-range conditions in the outer range from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (beyond 50 m from shed with grass pasture); and (C) barn system. Free range-reared geese had higher weight gain after 42 days of age than barn-reared geese, regardless of the range area. A lower feed conversion ratio was found in outer range-reared and apron area-reared geese from 28 to 63 days of age. In addition, the highest percentages of leg and breast muscle weights were observed in outer range-reared and apron area-reared geese, respectively. Finally, outer-range rearing resulted in a lower pH and lower moisture content. Therefore, these data suggest that the outer range system benefits growth performance and feed conversion ratio of geese and results in a higher percentage of leg muscle weight, lower pH, and lower moisture content.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Zhenjiang Tiancheng Agricultural Technology Co. Ltd.
Author contributions
Y.Z., G.C., and Q.X.: conceptualization. Q.X.: methodology. J.C.: software. J.C., K.W., J.L., and W.G.: validation. J.C.: formal analysis. J.C., S.L., and M.Z.: investigation. Y.Z., G.C., Q.X., and Y.Z.: resources. Z.C., K.W., and J.C.: data curation. J.C.: writing—original draft preparation. Q.X.: writing—review and editing. Z.C. and Y.Z.: visualization. Y.Z.: supervision. G.C.: project administration. G.C.: funding acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).