Winter-incubated goslings have become a popular product during the Spring Festival, with a high demand for fat geese in the market. As a result, this method has significantly transformed the traditional hatching, brooding, and feeding processes of goslings. The key techniques for large-scale winter incubation are crucial to ensure successful outcomes.
First, the selection and storage of eggs must be done with great care. High-quality eggs are essential for achieving a high hatching rate. It is important to source eggs from healthy, disease-free, and productive geese. Eggs should be examined using a light source to check for clarity, size, and internal structure. They should appear normal, with no floating yolk, clear albumen, a small air cell, and no signs of contamination or damage. Any eggs that are cracked, double-yolked, oversized, undersized, or contaminated should be discarded. Fresh and clean eggs must be stored in a dedicated room with good ventilation, cleanliness, and controlled temperature and humidity. The ideal storage temperature is between 10°C and 18°C, with a relative humidity of 75% to 80%. The storage period should not exceed 3 days, and no more than 5 days if special conditions are maintained. Eggs should be turned 2–3 times daily, and the temperature must not drop below 4°C to avoid a significant decline in hatching success. Before incubation, eggs must be disinfected, preheated, and reconditioned to prepare them properly for hatching.
Second, temperature control is critical during the incubation process. Goose eggs have thick shells and high fat content, so they take longer to warm up in the early stages. To address this, eggs are often soaked in warm water (around 40°C) for 4–6 minutes before incubation to help raise their internal temperature. During the first 10 days, the egg temperature should be kept between 38.5°C and 39°C. After that, it should gradually decrease to 37.5°C–38°C for the next 10 days, and then to 37°C–37.5°C in the final phase. This “high, medium, low†temperature pattern ensures optimal embryo development. Monitoring the egg temperature is vital—place your hand near the eggshell; if it feels hot, it’s too warm; if it matches your eyelid temperature, it’s just right. If it’s too hot, cooling methods like misting, airing, or ventilation can be used. Proper temperature management is the foundation of successful hatching.
Third, humidity plays a major role in the development of the embryo. Too much humidity can cause the gosling to stick to the shell, while too little may lead to dehydration and difficulty in hatching. The recommended humidity levels are 70%–75% in the first 10 days, 60%–70% in the next 10 days, and 75%–80% in the final 10 days. In cases where humidity is low, warm water at 40°C can be sprayed on the eggs once or twice daily. Turning the eggs regularly is also important—each egg should be rotated 45 degrees every 2–4 hours. This helps prevent adhesion between the embryo and the shell, ensures even heating, and promotes better embryonic movement and blood circulation. However, in the final stages, turning should stop to allow the goslings to hatch more easily.
Fourth, proper ventilation is essential throughout the incubation period. Especially in the later stages, embryos require more oxygen, and poor ventilation can lead to carbon dioxide buildup, which harms development. Eggs should be aired out every 2–3 days, especially in colder months, to maintain a stable environment. After 5–7 days, 16–18 days, and 25 days of incubation, the eggs should be checked for signs of hatching. By day 30–31, the goslings begin to break through the shell, and they should be moved to an insulated brooding area as soon as possible.
In conclusion, successful winter incubation requires careful attention to egg selection, temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Each step must be handled precisely to ensure healthy and vigorous goslings ready for the market.
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