African

The African goose is a breed of domestic goose derived from the wild swan goose (Anser cygnoides). Despite the name the African goose most likely originated in China, like the related Chinese goose. Though the African goose and Chinese goose share some characteristics (such as colour patterns), 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 known for their docile temperament. Also, they lay fewer eggs than Chinese geese: 25 to 40 eggs per year for the African goose against 40 to 65, or, in extreme cases, up to 200 eggs per year for Chinese goose.

In past years in Australia the African Goose has also been known as the Nile Goose or the Egyptian Goose.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEAD: Broad, deep, large, with large knob, broad as head or slightly broader; heavy dewlap under throat, which in young specimens is but slightly developed.

KNOB: Large, broad as the head or slightly broader

BILL: Rather large, stout at base.

EYES: Large.

NECK : Long, nicely arched; throat with well-developed dewlap.

WINGS: Large, strong, smoothly folded against sides.

BACK: Broad, moderately long, flat.

TAIL: Slightly elevated; composed of stiff, hard feathers.

BREAST: Full, well-rounded, carried forward.

BODY: Large, long, carried rather upright.

LEGS AND TOES: Lower thighs, short, stout; shanks, of medium length; toes, straight, connected by web.

COLOUR

COLOR OF GANDER AND GOOSE

HEAD: Light brown.

KNOB: Black.

BILL: Black.

EYES: Dark brown.

NECK: Very light ashy brown with distinct broad, dark brown stripe down center of the back of neck and extending its entire length; front of neck under mandible, very light ashy brown, gradually getting lighter in color until past the dewlap where it is, almost cream in color, then gradually deepening in color as it approaches the breast.

WINGS: Bows, ashy brown, slightly edged with a lighter shade; coverts, ashy brown distinctly edged with a lighter shade; secondaries, dark slate distinctly edged with a lighter shade approaching white; primaries, dark slate; primary coverts, light slate.

BACK: Ashy brown.

TAIL: Ashy brown heavily edged with a shade approaching white; tail-coverts, white.

BREAST: Very light ashy brown shading to a lighter color under the body.

BODY AND FLUFF: 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.

LEGS AND TOES: Lower thighs, upper part similar to sides of body, ashy brown edged with a lighter shade, lower part similar in color to under part of body; shanks and toes, dark orange.

WEIGHTS

Adult Gander - 20 lbs (9kg). Adult Goose - 18 lbs (8.2kg). Young Gander - 16 lbs (7.3kg). Young Goose - 14 lbs (6.4kg).

SCALE OF POINTS

Goose Points from the American Standard of Perfection referenced below.

SERIOUS DEFECTS

• Bill and knob other than black;

• absence of knob in young, or absence of knob or dewlap in adult specimens;

• white feathers in primaries and secondaries.

See Disqualifications

SOURCES

• The American standard of perfection, illustrated. A complete description of recognized varieties of fowls, as revised by [the Association at its 62d-67th annual meetings, 1937-42.] Public Domain accessed from: https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009169004

• The Poultry club standards, containing a complete description of all the recognised varieties of fowls, ducks, geese and turkeys, ed. by William W. Broomhead. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009202629

• Australian Poultry Standards 2nd edition

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_goose