Geese Breed Focus - African

sumi

Rest in Peace 1980-2020
Premium Feather Member
8 Years
Jun 28, 2011
39,162
27,174
1,302
African geese actually didn't originate from Africa, but descended from the Swan goose in Southeast Asia. They are very close relatives of the Chinese goose, and some even assert that they are crosses between Swan geese and Chinese geese. Though they share some similar characteristics (such as colour variations), the two can be distinguished by the African's larger dewlap and different knob shape. African geese are also quite a bit heavier than Chinese, and are better known for their docile temperaments.

African geese appear in three color varieties: Brown, Buff and White. Browns have black bills and knobs, and plumage with irregular shades, from a very light to dark brown. Whites have all-white plumage and orange bills and knobs.

The breed was admitted to the APA SOP in 1874. The Brown / Grey was standardized in the UK in 1982, the Buff in 1999 and the White in 1982.

Details:

Purpose: Meat production (Often crossed to Toulouse)
Egg laying: 25-40 eggs annually
Colours/Varieties: Buff, Brown/Grey, White
Weight: Males - 22-28 lb; Females - 18-24 lb



Pic by @Ivy061


Pic by @Iain Utah


Pic by @Jen C


Pic by @roboboy

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/african

BYC Breed Discussion Threads:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/580809/dewlap-african-geese-post-pics/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/533413/the-african-and-chinese-goose-thread/0_30


Do you own African geese? Are you an African geese breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
 
Last edited:
Who said they are cross between Chinese and Swan goose? Both Chinese and African are separate breeds descended from the wild Swan goose.
There are dozens of other breeds which are also descended from the Swan goose, most of them come from China some also from Russia and eastern Europe.
They are called "African" because in 16th and 17th centuries everything foreign was called "African" or Turkish, e.g. turkey (the bird originally from Northern America), Guinea pig (Guinea is a country is west Africa but guinea pigs come from Peru in south america).
 
Last edited:
Many years ago I received a pair of African geese as a Valentine's Day present. They were beautiful AND people-friendly. (The emden geese I had were agressive and the male was named Atilla for good reason)
 
Thank you for this article. I had no idea that African Geese came in white and buff as well as `wild form`color.
The one goose in picture 3 looks like it has some Fighting Goose blood. The down curved beak...


macgro7
thumbsup.gif
Thank you for clarifications. To add to that list, Corn, Potato, amongst many others..
 
macgro7  :thumbsup Thank you for clarifications.  To add to that list, Corn, Potato, amongst many others..

Sorry, what do you mean? I only mentioned things which are known by names of places from which they don't actually come from.
Btw fighting breeds of geese are results of crossing between African type geese (Swan goose descendents) and ones that come from Greylag, e.g. Steinbacher or Tula. So it's not actually the African which have been crossed with the weighting geese - it's exactly the opposite!
 
Last edited:

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom