Evaluation of Pilgrim, Hungarian, Chinese, Synthetic and Embden strains of geese and their crosses for body weight

Abstract

The Pilgrim, Hungarian, Chinese, Selected C hinese, Synthetic (developed from Pilgrim, Chinese and Hungarian), Selected Synthetic, Large Embden and Small Embden strains of geese raised from 1980 to 1988 at the Greenbelt farm of the Centre for Food and Animal Research (formerly Animal Research Centre, and Animal Research Institute) in Ottawa, Canada varied significantly in body weight at 9 and 16 wk of age. The Large Embden strain weighed more than the Small Embden strain in 1986, and both were heavier than the Pilgrim strain (P < 0.05). Significantly different body weights for the Large Embden, Small Embden and Pilgrim strains averaged over sexes were 5.03, 4.45 and 3.59 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 6.15, 5.49 and 4.33 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. The Pilgrim strain was similar to the Chinese and Synthetic strains in body weight, whereas the Hungarian weighed consistently less (P < 0.05). Body weights for the Pilgrim, Chinese, Synthetic and Hungarian strains averaged over sexes and years 1980, 1983 and 1986 were 3.70, 3.56, 3.70 and 3.37 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 4.65, 4.43, 4.53 and 4.17 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. From 1982 onwards, the Chinese and Synthetic strains were selected for four generations in order to increase egg production over a 24-wk laying period and body weight at 16 wk of age, and to simultaneously decrease total fat (abdominal and intestinal). These Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains not only weighed significantly more than their corresponding Chinese and Synthetic strains maintained as randombred populations, but were also heavier than the Pilgrim strain. Corresponding body weights for Selected Chinese, Selected Synthetic, Chinese and Synthetic strains averaged over sexes and years 1983–1988 were 3.72, 3.69, 3.47 and 3.59 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 4.69, 4.77, 4.26 an d 4.31 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. The range in heterosis estimates for specific strain cross combinations were as follows: -6 to 8% for the Large Embden × Selected Chinese, 2 to 6% for the Selected Chinese × Selected Synthetic, -2 to 3% for the Selected Synthetic × Selected Chinese, -8 to -9% for the Large Embden × Small Embden, -1 to 1% for the Small Embden × Selected Chinese, and 4 to 8% for the Small Embden × Selected Synthetic. The variability among heterosis estimates for body weight was specific to strain crosses and subject to sampling associated with low number of sires used to produce crossbred offspring as well as the absence of reciprocal crosses. Larger studies evaluating all possible cross combinations of strains for additive and non-additive effects are warranted. Although, the Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains achieved genetic superiority for body weight, the inherent potential in the Embden strain demonstrated considerable merit for use as a terminal sire in a crossbreeding program for commercial geese production. Key words: Embden, Pilgrim; Chinese, Synthetic, Hungarian geese, crosses

Body weights, carcass characteristics, fat content, and their relationships in ganders of the Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains, and Embden-sired strain crosses

“…In the present study, the Small Embden-sired selected strain crosses weighed more at 9 and 16 wk of age than the Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains, in agreement with observations of Shrestha et al (2004a). The authors also reported that the heterosis estimate was negligible for Small Embden × Selected Chinese strain cross, and 4-8% for the Small Embden × Selected Synthetic strain cross.…”

“…The Large Embden × Selected Chinese strain cross was not only heavier than the Selected Chinese strain, but also weighed more than the Small Embden-sired Selected Chinese and Synthetic strain crosses that were similar, and these strain crosses were heavier in body weights at 9 and 16 wk of age than their respective female parent strains, in agreement with Shrestha et al (2004a). The Large Embden strain compared with the Small Embden strain when mated to Selected Chinese strain was 0.9 kg heavier in body weight at 16 wk of age along with 2% more total fat.…”

“…at 9 and 16 wk of age in agreement with Shrestha et al (2004a). Again, as pure strains the body weight of the Large Embden was greater than that of the Small Embden, therefore, as expected, the Large Embden-sired strain cross was heavier than the remaining strains and strain crosses.…”

“…There is reason to believe that lower body fat of geese at slaughter would be beneficial for promoting consumer acceptance and eliminating the costs associated in producing unwanted fat. During the course of research on genetics of goose production at the Centre for Food and Animal Research, Selected Chinese and Synthetic (developed from Pilgrim, Chinese and Hungarian) strains (4.69 and 4.77 kg, respectively) weighed significantly more at 16 wk of age than their corresponding Chinese and Synthetic strains (4.26 and 4.31 kg, respectively) maintained as randombred populations (Shrestha et al 2004a). At the same time, the Hungarian strain (4.17 kg) was consistently lightest, the Pilgrim strain (4.65 kg) was intermediate and the Large Embden (6.15 kg) and Small Embden (5.49 kg) were heaviest.…”