An Introduction to Geese
(Page 2 of 3)
March/April 1984
By Guy Alks
Equally popular is the Brown Chinese, an elegant bird sporting rich brown and fawn feathers that are accentuated by a dark russet stripe down the neck and by an ebony bill and knob (bordered by a narrow band of creamy white plumes). Its shanks and feet are usually a deep orange, and its eyes are brown.
RELATED CONTENT
Whatever the size of your spread, geese can be the most economical, useful and easiest-to-keep live...
From Jack Widmer's Practical Animal Husbandry, here's an article on duck and goose production, bree...
For variety, raise at least one other kind of poultry aside from chickens. Consider raising geese, ...
Breed specifications and pictures of water fowl varieties....
The Tufted Roman is another lightweight variety, a chubby white bird with a close-fitting helmetlike crest atop its head. A fair layer, it produces 25 to 35 eggs a year. An adult female weighs about ten pounds, whereas a male hits around 12. And, because of its characteristic plumpness, the Roman makes a fine, juicy table bird.
MEDIUMWEIGHTS
Sebastopols have been nicknamed the "peacocks" of goosedom, and for good reason: These modest-sized birds (the ganders tip the scales at about 14 pounds, and the geese at approximately 12) are covered with long, curling white feathers. However, because of their unique "attire", Sebastopols can be somewhat tricky to care for. They need lots of room and a large body of fresh water to keep their fine feathers in topnotch condition. Also, Sebastopols are not as hardy as most breeds, so they require protection against blustery winds and freezing rains when raised in colder climates. On the positive side, because they lack the ability to fly, they're relatively easy to keep penned up. And—although these birds are primarily raised as ornamentals or pets they do make good eating and produce from 25 to 35 eggs yearly.
The American Buff's unique coloring consisting of varying shades of yellow with a light fawn underbelly makes the bird one of the most showy breeds of the entire goose family. Furthermore, this fowl is typically hardy and calm . . . an attentive parent . . . and a fine medium-large (16- to 18-pound) roasting bird. The hen lays from 25 to 35 eggs a year.
The only goose breed in which gender can be determined by color is the Pilgrim (so named because it first came to America with Dutch immigrants in 1620). The female of this variety has hazel eyes and is a soft gray, except for its all white neck and head. The male has blue eyes and is completely white. These docile birds are hearty foragers and produce from 25 to 40 eggs per year. The goose generally weighs about 13 pounds and the gander 14, but don't be put off by the low poundage: This breed is a particularly tasty table treat!
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Bold, massive Africans are among the most handsome of geese, with the gander weighing in at close to 20 pounds and the goose at 18. This distinguished fowl has a deep, melodious voice (which, by the way, it uses often!), dignified movements, a wellproportioned body, a characteristic knob on its head, and coloring that's practically identical to that of the Brown Chinese . . . although a new line of white Africans is being bred. These big birds are good layers (20 to 45 eggs annually) . . rapid growers . . . and early maturers. And although they tend to be fairly small as compared with the other heavyweights, Africans are nonetheless a favorite among goose breeders.
