How much keel should show on well-fed geese??

[SummerStorm93]

Situation. My geese are pretty darn well fed. They free range on several acres of pasture and a small pond, plus getting a scoop of kibble morning and evening (Nutrena NatureWise All Flock) just in case they're missing anything, which they don't always finish. All three of my female White Chinese have really prominent keels. All the pictures of other birds of their breed I can find don't have such distinct keels, and the breed standard that I looked up listed them as 'keelless', meaning not overly visible. My African gander in with them doesn't have his visible at all. They sat on eggs earlier in the year, but didn't hatch any out and went right back to normal grazing after giving up. There's a picture of one attached (she wouldn't stand still, so it's a bit blurry...)

Question. Does anyone have any experience with White Chinese geese who can tell me what's a normal body shape for active, well-fed birds of this breed? I'm worried they're missing something from their diet or have parasites or something. Help?

 

[Goosebaby]

Here’s a guide on determining a healthy weight
View attachment 2830953
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[Goosebaby]

To be honest though I’m confused by what you mean by them having visible keels?

I’ve had anorexic birds that never show their keels visibly due to how thick their feathers are, it’s impossible to actually see the keel, it’s if you feel a prominent keel under the feathers that matters.

 

[SummerStorm93]

See, that's what I'm saying. I appreciate the chart by the way. I'm confused because they eat well, drink plenty and seem healthy by all other metrics.

 

[Goosebaby]

See, that's what I'm saying. I appreciate the chart by the way. I'm confused because they eat well, drink plenty and seem healthy by all other metrics.

Are you referring to that little np hanging bit in their belly/between the leg? If so that isn’t the keel, that’s a lobe. Geese can have one lobe, two lobes, or a weird combination of the two, and it can change as they age, basically what they are is a fat flap in most cases but can sometimes be lose skin.

 

[casportpony]

You might want to get a baseline weight on all of them, then monitor those that feel too thin.

 

[SummerStorm93]

Are you referring to that little np hanging bit in their belly/between the leg? If so that isn’t the keel, that’s a lobe. Geese can have one lobe, two lobes, or a weird combination of the two, and it can change as they age, basically what they are is a fat flap in most cases but can sometimes be lose skin.

No, their lobes are nice and plump...

 

[Urban_game]

Keel shouldn’t show on well fed geese, only breeds that require keel are dewlap toulouse. rouen duck and aylesbury duck