INFLUENCE OF MIXED FEED RATIONS WITH GRAD UATED PORTIONS DRIED GRASS MEAL ON GROWTH, SLAUGHTER PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY OF YOUNG FATTENING GEESE

The aim of the present publication was to investigate the influence of a graduated portion of dried grass meal in feed mixtures for the star ter and fattening period on growth, slaughter performance and meat qua lity of young fattening geese. During a growth experiment 120 unselect ed geese (a hybrid of the german laying goose) were used in 4 feeding groups with 6 replications and 5 birds each. They were reared on floor management with ad-libitum-feeding and drinking. The trial started on the first day of life and was devided in 4-week starting period and 12 -week fattening period. On the 112th day pi life the animals were slau ghtered for lest evaluation. The commercial starter diet and the fatte ning diet were replaced by 5, 10 and 15% (group II to group IV) grass meal during the starter period and 10, 20 and 30% (group II to group I V) grass meal during the growth period. These diets were tested in com parison to a control group (group I) without replacement by grass meal . Diet replacement by grass meal did not significantly influence growt h and slaughter performance. The birds reached final body masses from 6776 g, 6594, 6613 g and 6530 g (group I-IV) with a feed gain ratio be tween 4,6 kg/kg body weight gain (group I) and 5,5 kg/kg body weight g ain (group IV). Comparing the feed gain ratio between the experimental groups was not useful because of the differing content of metabolizab le energy. There were no significant differences in the protein gain r atio from 0,92 kg/kg body weight gain (group I) to 0,85 kg/kg body wei ght. With increased content of the grass meal portion the energy gain ratio for the growth of one kilogram body weight gain decreased from 4 3,0 MJ (group I) to 32,3 MJ (group IV). The portion of breast muscle o n carcass varied between 17,5% and 18,7%, the portion of leg muscle be tween 15,5% and 16,5%. The portion of breast skin was significantly hi gher in group I (16,9%) than in group IV (5,5%). The same result was f ound for the portion of leg skin: 7,0% (group I) io 5,4% (group IV). A n important reduction was observed in the content of abdominal fat. 5, 8% (group I) to 4,1% (group IV). The determination of meat quality pro duced equal amounts for pH-value, share force and remission in all gro ups. The effect of a graduated portion of dried grass meal in commerci al feed mixtures was, that no negativ influence on carcass composition and meat quality was investigated. But the mean effect was the reduct ion of subcutan or intramuscular fat content.