Effects of Free-Range Systems on Muscle Fiber Characteristics and Welfare Indicators in Geese.

ABSTRACT: Recently, free-range poultry production has increased with notable benefits for animal welfare and meat quality traits. Geese, the third-most productive poultry species, have not been studied extensively. This study investigated the effects of different free-range systems on muscle fiber characteristics and welfare status (feather quality, walking ability, and behavioral changes) in Yangzhou geese. A total of 180 male geese, aged 28 days, were randomly assigned to either a long-distance pasture system (LDPS, approximately 200 m from the geese house) or a short-distance pasture system (SDPS, approximately 50 m from the geese house). The indoor system (IS) treatment was used as a control. And all geese were equipped with pedometers. Daily step counts revealed that the geese took an average o

SUBMITTER: Wang G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11816273 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature