Do your Sebastopol Geese fly?

[OPA Acres]

Hi All!

We picked up 4 Sebastopol geese that are completely smooth feathered. This evening when I looked out, one of the Sebastopol geese was on the wrong side of the 4ft fence. Everything that I've read about them says that they cannot fly - but that is associated with the curly feathers, which these particular geese do not have.

I'm wondering if this is something I need to be concerned with -- I don't want it getting hurt trying to get back into the fence.

the first picture attached is from the car ride home - all of the white geese are Sebastopol geese.

The second photo - the 4 smaller white geese are the Sebastopol, the 2 larger white geese are Emedens and then there are 2 Chinese Geese with them as well (all of these geese are in quarantine for the next ~30 days)

Your input is appreciated!

 

[Tofu the chicken]

Are you sure those are Sebastopol? And not emdens?

 

[Goosebaby]

They can leap up about 5ft, 6 if they’re a lighter breed, generally they can’t maintain it for very long though.

 

[OPA Acres]

Are you sure those are Sebastopol? And not emdens?

It was our thought that they could be Emdens and although we cannot completely rule it out, yet.

The Emdens that are in the photo are 3 days younger (hatch date 5/19) than the geese that were identified as Sebastopols (hatch date 5/16).

The Emden brothers are notably larger... particularly in the neck girth.

 

[Tofu the chicken]

It was our thought that they could be Emdens and although we cannot completely rule it out, yet.

The Emdens that are in the photo are 3 days younger (hatch date 5/19) than the geese that were identified as Sebastopols (hatch date 5/16).

The Emden brothers are notably larger... particularly in the neck girth.

Sebastopol have bright blue eyes and curled fearhers

 

[OPA Acres]

Sebastopol have bright blue eyes and curled fearhers

Embden's also have blue eyes.

I do know that Sebastopol's should have curly feathers. Through research, I have discovered that some Sebastopol's can be smooth - not just their breast. These smooth Sebastopols are usually culled and not used for breeding stock. (I have no plans to allow these Sebastopols to hatch eggs).

Here is an example post from a BYC member who ended up with smooth Sebastopols:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/why-do-my-sabastopol-geese-have-smooth-feathers.1349478/

There is a significant size difference between Sebastopols (12-14 pounds) and Embdens (20-26 pounds). So, when they mature, I may find out that they are Embdens -- and I would be absolutely THRILLED.

As a side note for how we ended up with these geese:
We were not seeking out Sebastopol geese - we went to pick up 2 Brown Chinese Geese and the owner was trying to find a good home for these 4 (what she called Sebasotpols). She said she only had one gentleman who was interested and she did not have a good vibe from him. She really wanted them to go to a home like ours, and basically gave them to us. So, for now - I am going to continue to call them Sebastopols until they prove otherwise. I will be honest - I hope that they are Embdens... but no matter what they are, we will give them the best life possible on our 37-acre homestead.