Möglichkeiten der on-farm Erhaltung und Nischenvermarktung vom Aussterben bedrohter Nutztierrassen am Beispiel ‚Diepholzer Gans’ und ‚Bronzepute alten Schlags’

Suitable conservation strategies for endangered domesticated breeds hinge on the knowledge of their special traits and benefits. We compared the performance of en-dangered geese and turkey breeds with common hybrid breeds, and focussed on meat quality as a potential marketing factor for a cost efficient on-farm conservation strategy. The animals were reared under identical feeding and housing conditions. In comparison with the endangered breeds, the hybrid breeds of both species were heavier and showed a lower feed conversion ratio. The meat of the endangered goose breed showed a higher drip loss, while the meat of the endangered turkey breed had less cooking loss, a higher shear force, and was preferred in a sensory test. Differ-ences in body weight gain and meat quality between the two goose breeds were small. The endangered turkey breed had half the weight of the hybrids, but showed advantages in meat quality. The comparable body weight gain of both geese breeds is a promising aspect for future conservation strategies via marketing whereas the con-servation of the endangered turkey breed requires more cost intensive strategies.