Laiyang Wulong Goose

Laiyang Wulong Goose

The Laiyang Wulong Goose is a geographical indication certification trademark.

The Laiyang Wulong Goose is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The Wulong Goose, also known as the "Hollow-eyed Goose" or "Scar-eyed Goose," originates from the Laiyang area in Yantai, Shandong Province. It is one of the highest egg-laying goose breeds in the world and a renowned small-sized premium goose breed globally. This small white goose has a high egg production rate and fast early growth. Its place of origin is the Wulong River basin in Laiyang, Yantai region. This area has numerous rivers, reservoirs, and ponds, along with a mild climate, providing ideal conditions for the formation, growth, and breeding of the Wulong Goose.

　　I. Physical Characteristics

　　The Wulong Goose is small in size, with a delicate and compact build. Its feathers are pure white and closely fitted to the body. The head is square-shaped and medium-sized, with a smooth-surfaced fleshy comb on the forehead. The eyes are triangular, and the upper eyelid has a scar-like notch, which is a unique characteristic of this breed. Occasionally, there is a throat sac under the jaw. The beak is broad and flat, the neck is long and slender with an arched shape, and the body is oval-shaped with a flat and broad back, a full and prominent chest, and an upright, elevated front. Adult female geese have a plump abdomen that slightly droops, sometimes with abdominal folds. Their legs and feet are sturdy and webbed. The beak, fleshy comb, shanks, and webbed feet are orange-yellow, with the tip of the beak being flesh-red, referred to as the "pink bean."

　　II. Production Performance

　　Adult male geese weigh between 4–4.5 kg, while females weigh 3.5–4 kg. The Wulong Goose typically reaches sexual maturity at around 7 months of age, with females laying eggs as early as 6 months. The male-to-female ratio is 1:4.5, and with access to water, fertilization rates can reach 90%–95%. Molting occurs annually between August and October, proceeding rapidly and taking only 1–2 months. Wulong Geese are highly prolific layers, with an average laying onset at 210 days, though some begin as early as 162 days. They usually lay one egg every two days, and during peak laying season in late spring to early summer, can lay two eggs every three days. Annual egg production ranges from 160–180 eggs, with top layers reaching over 210 eggs under optimal care. The average egg weight is 135 grams, with some reaching 176 grams. High-producing geese can continue laying eggs in winter if provided with adequate warmth and feed, making it one of the highest egg-laying goose breeds in the world.

　　Adult Wulong Geese produce about 250 grams of feathers per year, including 60 grams of down (24%) and 198 grams of coarse and large feather (76%). The down is of high quality, pure white, and free of impurities. Each adult goose can be live-plucked for down three times a year, averaging 40 grams per plucking. Live-plucked goose down can generate approximately 20 RMB in annual income per goose. Wulong Geese grow quickly, with an average weight of over 3.5 kg by 60 days old, gaining more than 50 grams per day on average. This breed won the second prize in the National “Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries Harvest Award” in 2002. The Wulong Goose grows rapidly, lays many eggs, has a high reproduction rate, strong adaptability, tolerance to coarse feed, strong disease resistance, and good foraging ability. It can be raised in confinement, free-range, or pastured systems, with extremely low feed costs (mainly coarse feed). Particularly notable is its exceptionally high egg production, which is rare both domestically and internationally, earning it the label of a “national treasure.”

　　III. Crossbreeding Applications

　　By using Wulong Geese or crossbreeding them with local geese to produce foie gras through force-feeding, an average of 350 grams of foie gras can be obtained per goose. The feed-to-foie gras ratio is 1:17.5, and force-feeding for foie gras can generate an additional 35 RMB in income per goose per year.

　　Geographic Range

　　The Laiyang Wulong Goose is distributed across four subdistricts—Chengxiang, Guliu, Longwangzhuang, and Fenggezhuang—and fourteen towns—Muyudian, Tuannwang, Xuefang, Yangjun, Jiangtuan, Wandi, Tanggezhuang, Bolinzhuang, Heluo, Lügezhuang, Gaogezhuang, Dakuang, Zhaowangzhuang, and ShanqianDian—in Laiyang, Jiaodong Peninsula. These areas comprise a total of 784 administrative villages, covering a total area of 1,731.54 square kilometers, including 1.2186 million mu of arable land. There are currently over 200,000 Wulong Geese. The geographical coordinates are: 120°31′–120°58′ east longitude and 36°34′–37°10′ north latitude.