Effects of Genotype and Laying Stage on Egg Traits and Hatchability in Breeder Geese

Optimizing genotype selection and understanding laying stage-related changes in egg characteristics are critical for goose production due to the limited availability of hatching eggs and relatively low hatchability rates.

This study evaluated the effects of genotype and laying stage on egg quality traits, chemical composition, hatchability and gosling characteristics in Linda, Mast and Toulouse breeder geese reared under standardized conditions.

Egg quality, composition and hatching performance were assessed at three laying stages in the three genotypes under identical management conditions.

Genotype significantly influenced egg weight, selected egg quality traits, fatty acid composition and gosling weight, whereas overall hatchability did not differ markedly among genotypes. Toulouse geese generally produced heavier eggs and goslings, whereas Linda geese exhibited superior albumen quality traits. Laying stage significantly affected most egg quality and compositional parameters, with a general decline in egg nutrients, fertility, hatchability and gosling weight toward the end of the laying period. Fatty acid composition showed genotype- and stage-related variations; however, these differences were relatively small.

The findings indicate that genotype has a limited effect on hatchability under same conditions, whereas egg weight and laying stage are critical determinants of gosling quality. In the Linda genotype, reduced egg weight, particularly at the late laying stage, was associated with lower gosling weight, highlighting the importance of stage-specific incubation management in goose production.