Weeding Effect of Free-Ranging Goslings in a Tea Field

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of free-range goslings on weeds in a tea field from May 24 to July 7, 2014. Two treatments were applied: 1） no goslings, on a control plot of 0.3 a, and 2） four free-ranging goslings （body weight, 570 g; age, 24 days） on an experimental plot of 0.9 a. The goslings were provided with supplementary feed every morning （50% of nutrient requirement）. The goslings spent the most time grazing on Day 6. The goslings grazed preferentially on Bromus catharticus Vahl and Trifolium repens L. The percentage of bare ground in the experimental plot was significantly larger than that in the control plot on Day 44（ P < 0.05）. There was also a significant difference in the herbage mass between the two treatments on Day 44（ P < 0.05）, with an average of 330 kg dry matter/10 a and 43 kg dry matter/10 a in the control and experimental plots, respectively. The average body weights of the goslings on Days 22 and 44 were 1,506, and 2,073 g, respectively. In conclusion, free-ranging goslings effectively weeded a tea field, making it an appropriate context in which to raise them.