African

AFRICAN 

African

Origin: China

  • The African goose is the large relative of the Chinese, both having been developed from the wild swan goose which, of course, they both resemble.
  • General characteristics: male and female
  • Carriage: Reasonably upright.

Type

  • Body large, long, carried moderately upright. Nearly the same thickness from back to front. Ideally, the underline is smooth and free from keel. Lobes even. Stern round, full, free from bagginess.
  • Back broad, moderately long, flat. Breast full, well rounded, carried moderately upright, without keel. Wings large, strong, smoothly folded against sides. Tail well elevated.

Head

  • Broad, deep, large. Dewlap large, heavy, smooth; lower edges regularly curved and extending from lower mandible to below juncture of neck and throat. Bill rather large, stout at base. Knob large, broad as the head, protruding slightly forward from front of skull at upper mandible. Eyes large.
    Neck: Long, nicely arched; throat with well-developed dewlap.
    Legs and feet: Lower thighs short, stout. Shanks of medium length. Straight toes  connected by web.

Colour

  • Plumage of both sexes: Head light brown. Neck very light ashy brown with distinct broad, dark brown stripe down centre of the back of the neck and extending its entire length.
  • Front of neck under mandible very light ashy brown, gradually getting lighter in colour until past the dewlap where it is almost cream in colour, then gradually deepening in colour as it approaches the breast. Breast very light ashy brown shading to a lighter colour under the body.
  • Body a lighter shade than the breast, gradually getting lighter as it approaches the fluff, which is so light as to approach white; sides of body ashy brown, each feather edged with a lighter shade.
  • Lower thighs: upper part similar to sides of body, ashy brown edged with a lighter shade, lower part similar in colour to underpart of body. Back ashy brown.
  • Wing bow ashy brown, slightly edged with a lighter shade; coverts ashy brown, distinctly edged with a lighter shade; primaries dark slate; primary coverts light slate; secondaries dark slate, distinctly edged with a lighter shade approaching white. Tail ashy brown heavily edged with a shade approaching white, tail coverts white.
  • In both sexes: Bill and knob black. Eyes dark brown. Legs and webs dark orange.

Weights

  • Gander 9.97-12.70 kg (22-281b)
  • Goose 8.16-10.88 kg (11-241b)

White AFRICAN

  • White African geese are identical to grey African geese in shape requirements, but the colour details are similar to those specified for white chinese.
Last modified: Monday, 7 May 2012, 5:45 AM