Characteristic of the population of geese covered by the protection of biodiversity programme in Poland

Domestic goose is a species strongly associated with the agricultural landscape, tradition and culture of local communities. Currently, a unique collection of 14 breeds of geese kept on four farms across the country is included in the programme for the protection of the goose population in Poland. Endangered geese are protected using an in situ method - keeping live animals in their natural environment. All goose breeds included in the protection programme represent a valuable part of the genetic diversity of the species. Based on the analysis of the results for the 2021 or 2022 period, it was found that these geese maintain good health, achieve good production and hatchability parameters, and their mating method protects them from an inbred increase.