Avian Production Management

GEESE 

Toulouse

• Originated in France. Some strains are non-broody and the goose is a fair layer among the heavy breeds
• Gooslings tend to grow slowly and have to be kept to an older age before being ready for market
• The flesh is coarser than the Emden and the proportion of bone and offal is high
• The progeny of a Toulouse goose crossed with an Emden gander grows rapidly and  has good fleshing qualities
     Gander-14 kg; Goose-9 kg

Emden

• Originated from Hanover in Germany
• It is a heavy breed, a prolific breeder with a quiet disposition and currently the most popular in New South Wales
• Emdens are good egg producers (upto 40 eggs per season), good sitters, early maturing and good foragers
• Because feathers from Emdens are white, they are of greater value than feathers from other geese
• Gooslings can be sexed at day old with a reasonable degree of accuracy as female chicks have a darker down than male chicks
• Bill, legs and feet are bright orange and the hard tight plumage is pure glossy white
• Other goose breeds are African, Chinese, Egyptian, Canada etc.