Effects of the partial substitution of whole-plant corn silage co-fermented with bacteria and enzymes on the growth performance, slaughter performance and serum parameters in Taizhou geese

This feeding experiment was performed to determine the effect of gradually increasing substitution of compound feed with whole-plant corn silage co-fermented with bacteria and enzymes (WPCS-BE) on the growth performance, slaughter performance and serum parameters of geese. A total of 180 35 d old healthy female Taizhou geese were distributed into six groups and fed the compound feed (control group), and the experimental groups (groups I, II, III, IV and V) were fed diets in which the WPCS-BE replaced 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of the compound feed for 49 days. The BW of the geese in group III was increased from 56 to 63 d of age. The ADG of groups II, III and IV was improved during the age of 42-70 d (P < 0.05). At 42-91 d of age, the ADFI and F/G increased significantly with the proportion of WPCS-BE in each experimental group. The geese in group IV had a higher slaughter yield than that of the other groups at 91 d of age (P < 0.05). At 70 d of age, the relative weight of the liver in group V and the relative weight of the gizzards of groups III, IV and V were significantly increased (P < 0.05). At 91 d of age, the relative weight of the liver in groups IV and V and the relative weight of the spleen of group III were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the concentration of albumin, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, glucose or total protein among all groups at 70 and 90 d of age (P > 0.05). Under these experimental conditions, it is recommend that the substitution level of WPCS-BE should be 20%-30%, which can improve the growth performance of Taizhou geese and has no negative effect on the slaughter performance or serum parameters.