Reproductive Problem in Geese

C. Riddell

Western College of Veterinary Medicine

University of Saskatchewan

This problem has occurred 2 sequential years on a farm with several flocks of breeding geese and ducks. Goslings are hatched every year from early March to the middle of June. Anticipated production from 1800 geese is 19 goslings per female goose (75-80% fertility, 60% hatch). The farm has 4 flocks of breeding geese and 21 flocks of breeding ducks all in the same area. Each flock is housed in an enclosed barn and the geese have access to the outside pens. The flocks are just separated by low fences. The two flocks of ducks are housed in the same barns as two of the flocks of geese. The 3 larger flocks (>500) of geese are moved in a circular fashion from barn to barn every 6-10 days to reduce broodiness. Each barn has an independent feed supply. No sanitary procedures are followed by workers between flocks and the very limited physical spearation between flocks suggests that an infectious disease would readily spread from flock to flock.

1998

Egg production started in February and fertility in the geese was greater than 80% and increased to circa 90% at the beginning of March. In the midle of March the fertility dropped in the oldest flock (5 years). This was followed by a drop in egg production and decreased egg shell quality. Fertility dropped to <20% by the end of March. Three dead females had severe peritonitis and variable salpingitis and enteritis. A mixed bacterial flora including Pasteurella multocida was isolated. Total mortality was ca 3%. The males appeared normal. Culture of the phalluses provided a mixed culture including Pasteurella-like organisms. The flock was slaughtered on April 16, 1998. During this period production in the other two larger goose flocks and in the duck flocks remained normal. Late in April/early May, a severe drop in fertility (to 10% over 3 weeks) occurred in the next oldest flock (3 years), egg production was unaffected and there was littler mortality. A dead female had yolk peritonitis from which Pasteurella multocida and other organisms were isolated. A mixed culture of Mycoplasma anserinus and arginini was isolated from the phallus of a male. On the AGID test for Influenza 4/10 bloods were positive. All bloods were negative for Newcastle Disease. Immunohistochemistry for Chlamydiosis on fixed tissues from both flocks was negative. Two Pasteurella isolated from different birds in the first flock affected were found on serotyping to be different serotypes. Considerable feed testing was done and no obvious errors in feed nor evidence of contamination with ionophores have been found. Yolks were tested for ionophores and results were negative. The youngest large goose flock (1 year) and the duck flocks maintained satisfactory performance to the end of the hatching season.

1999

Early in March, a severe drop in fertility to 15% was noted in the one flock (1 year old last year; 2 years old this year), which was unaffected last year. The fertility was also down to 60% in the affected flock (3 years old last year; 4 years old this year) from the last year. In both flocks, egg production was normal and there was no mortality. Fertility remained normal in the youngest flock.

The performance of the duck flocks was satisfactory. Mycolplasma was oslated from the phalluses of 4 ganders submitted to the laboratory. Mycolplasma was cultrued from one oviduct. The mycoplasmas were sent to England for typing. Three isolates reacted with antisera against M.answerinus while three reacted with antisera against strain 1220. All the flocks were placed on high levels of Aureomycin for at least 3 weeks. Fertility recovered within 4 weeks. Some sera were positive by the AGID test for influenza.

Conclusions

It appears probable that the problem may be due to infection, but it is difficult to be positive about this. It is puzzling that fertility was severely affected in several flocks, but egg production was only affected in one flock. In addition, it is puzzling that not all flocks have been affected. The Pasteurella strains isolated from these geese may not be very pathogenic and probably do not explain the drop in fertility. Similar comments may be made with regard to the evidence of influenza. Mycoplasma strain 1220 has been associated with infertility in geese in Hungary and Israel and may have caused the problem described.

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Last modified: 5/28/2009