Ural gray goose: breed description and characteristics, diet and breeding

Ural gray geese are considered a relatively young breed, which is the result of the work of domestic scientists. It took about 7 years of tests and experiments to breed these birds. Representatives of this breed are characterized by high parameters of fertility and endurance. In addition, these geese are considered very unpretentious. Birds are especially in demand in the Urals and Siberia.

Key features and description

These birds were bred on the basis of wild geese nesting in the Ural region - in the vicinity of the city of Shadrinsk. There are 2 main varieties of such birds - white and gray.

White variety

This breed is characterized by the following features:

compact head;
short legs;
smooth beak without hump;
medium body;
short ponytail with pointed tip;
a small crease on the stomach - typical for all geese;
short neck - is considered the main feature and is associated with the presence of 16 vertebrae;
High-density hard down and fanned feathers help keep you warm.

A distinctive feature of birds is the lack of need for water, which is an advantage when compared with other breeds of waterfowl.

Grey variety

These birds have excellent parameters, which made them very popular among all poultry farmers. Gray geese are characterized by the following features:

large body;
no need for additional care;
rapid weight gain;
high productivity settings.

Gray Ural geese were obtained on the basis of Toulouse and Romny birds. During the work, a long and careful selection was carried out. At the same time, individuals were selected according to individual parameters, productivity, weight gain and maintaining high quality down. The characteristic features of this species of birds include the following:

chubby body;
large round chest;
short neck;
wide back;
short and strong paws;
grey feathers, white chest and belly.

Grey geese are characterized by a rapid increase in body weight in the first months. Thanks to this, already at 5 months, young birds reach a weight of 5 kilograms. Adult males weigh 7 kilograms, and females - 6-6.5. In addition, females produce 25-30 eggs throughout the year. Birds are considered excellent parents for goslings.

What are their pros and cons

Pros and consrapid development and weight gain;undemanding to care;simplicity of content;high egg production parameters;good he alth and resistance to pathologies;developed parental instinct.specific taste of meat;long and stiff feathers that cannot be used to stuff pillows or other products;high food costs in the winter season.

Rules for keeping and caring for Ural geese

Ural gray geese are undemanding to the conditions of detention. They are characterized by a thick layer of fat and warm plumage. This prevents the birds from freezing even in the most severe frosts. Therefore, it is permissible to make a poultry house from available materials. To increase egg production parameters, it is important to provide for space heating. Lighting is used to increase daylight hours.

Equally important is the creation of perches, feeders and drinkers. It is important for females to make comfortable nests. In the poultry house, you should definitely install containers with sand. In them, geese will be able to bathe and clean their feathers. This is considered an excellent prevention of infection by parasites.

Geese should not always be in a confined space. Once a day, it is important to take the birds for a walk. To do this, it is recommended to make a corral in the fresh air. Be sure to provide a canopy on the walking area. It provides shelter from rain and snow.

How to make the right diet

Ural geese are undemanding to nutrition. In summer, birds can get their own food - roots and grass. As an addition to the winter diet, it is permissible to use ready-made feed or make it yourself. In any case, the diet should be varied. Therefore, the following components should be mixed with dry cereal mixtures based on barley, corn and wheat:

fresh cottage cheese;
minerals;
boiled vegetables - it is best to use potatoes, beets, carrots.

The number of meals should be calculated taking into account the frequency of walking. If geese walk 2 times a day, they should be fed twice. With a constant stay in the aviary, 3-4 meals will be required.

Bird breeding rules

Ural geese are characterized by a pronounced maternal instinct. Therefore, the need to use an incubator arises only on large farms. In small farms, no additional devices are required. In this case, it is much easier to put a few quality eggs under the goose and be patient.

At the same time, it is enough for the farmer to provide the female with good nutrition and access to water.

Diseases and their causes

Despite strong immunity, Ural geese sometimes face various pathologies. The main cause of disease is considered a violation of the rules of care. The development of pathologies is associated with such factors:

Growing geese in unsanitary conditions. The risk of disease increases with insufficient cleaning of the premises, a rare change of water in drinking bowls or bathing containers.
Uncomfortable conditions. In an improperly equipped aviary, birds may experience increased dampness, drafts or low temperatures.
Bad food. Geese can get sick with a monotonous and unbalanced diet. Also, the risk of developing pathologies increases if birds drink stale water.

All diseases of birds are divided into 2 categories - contagious and non-contagious. The first group includes viral, bacterial, fungal infections. Geese often encounter aspergillosis. The symptoms of this pathology include general weakness, loss of appetite, intense thirst.

Aspergillosis is usually caused by poor quality food and water, contact with new birds that have not been quarantined. To avoid problems, it is important to keep the house clean, change feed, water and bedding in a timely manner, and disinfect the house with a solution of copper sulfate.

The causes of non-contagious pathologies are considered violations of the conditions of detention and care. It also leads to malnutrition. To avoid such problems, vitamins and minerals should be introduced into the diet. Such funds should be selected by a veterinarian. These supplements help to strengthen the immune system, maintain a normal state of he alth, and normalize the tone of the body. In the season, it is recommended to give birds a lot of vegetables and herbs.

For the prevention of pathologies, chicks should be given a solution of potassium permanganate with a concentration of 0.1%, mixing it with glucose. Ural gray geese are highly productive and have strong immunity. Under the right conditions and a balanced diet, birds practically do not get sick and gain weight well.