Effect of Dry and Wet Feed on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility in Geese

SUMMARY: This study seeks to investigate the effect of dry and wet feed on growth performance, carcass traits, and apparent nutrient digestibility in geese from 28 to 70 d of age. In Experiment 1, 120 geese were randomly allotted to 2 treatments with 6 replicate pens of 10 birds per pen. Birds in each group were fed either a dry or wet feed. There was no significant difference between the 2 feeding methods in final body weight and average daily gain (P > 0.05), while wet feed significantly increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake and feed intake: gain compared to dry feed. Carcass traits were not affected (P > 0.05) by the form of feed. In Experiment 2, apparent nutrient digestibility of dry and wet feed was determined using the total fecal collection method. The apparent dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract digestibility of geese were not affected (P > 0.05) by wet feed compared to dry feed. In conclusion, wet feed had no effect on daily weight gain but significantly increased daily feed intake and feed intake: gain, implying that dry feed is more suitable for geese from 28 to 70 d of age.