Embden

Origin:  Northern Europe - particularly Germany

Category:  Goose

Egg Colour:  White or Cream

Sitter:

The Embden is probably the largest of all domestic geese. It reached England by way of Holland, where it is surmised the German Bremen, or Hanover goose was crossed with the Italian White, only to be later crossed with the native English White, thus producing a trimmer and more rangy type than its original German ancestors; with greater size developed through selection and optimum nutrition. In spite of its enormous size, the true Embden is a remarkably agile and active goose and one that thrives under a wide range of environments. Even the largest specimens seem to reproduce with facility under average circumstances. It is a showy breed and a flock of them is certain to inspire admiration by all observers.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

HEAD: Strong, oval, clean cut.

BILL: Medium length, stout at base, with uniform taper and blending smoothly into front of skull.

EYES: Bold and challenging.

NECK: Long, not quite so thick as in Toulouse, yet strong; swan-like, carried rather erect with slight curvature. Throat free of dewlap.

BACK: Long and straight, the apparent length accentuated by the level tail carriage; the actual length being about two thirds longer than wide.

TAIL: Moderate length, carried compactly, in line with the back.

WINGS: Strong, proportionate, carried smoothly folded, with tips crossing at the saddle.

BODY: Corresponding to dimensions of the back in length and breadth, but relatively thick and smoothly rounded.

BREAST: Full, prominent and smooth, free from keel on the chest.

PAUNCH: Wide, square and well balanced clear to the base although not quite as deep as that of the Toulouse, but otherwise similar there too.

LEGS: Moderate length, i.e., not so short as to impair the activities of so large a fowl, nor so long as to create an impression of 'legginess'. Stout.

PLUMAGE: Hard, close fitting and smooth.

CARRIAGE: Moderately elevated at shoulders; active and defiant

COLOUR

BILL: orange.

EYES: light blue.

LEGS AND FEET: bright orange.

PLUMAGE: pure glossy white.

WEIGHTS

Weight from ASOP - Gander: 30lb to 34lb (13.61kg - 15.42kg). Goose: 20lb to 22lb (9kg - 10kg).

Weights from GROW - Adult male, 26 lbs. Adult female, 20 lbs. Young male, 20 lbs. Young female, 18 lbs.

(Note that the Australian Poultry Standards 2nd Edition allows for two pound lighter minimum than Grow in both genders.)

SCALE OF POINTS

Embden Points from the British Poultry Standards referenced below.

SERIOUS DEFECTS

• Plumage other than white

• Flesh, or pink colored bills, feet or shanks.

• Paunch extending upward on the chest.

• Squatty, or overly compact type.

• Undersize.

• Dewlaps.

• Any deformity

SERIOUS DEFECTS

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

• Popular breeds of domestic poultry, American and foreign, by John H. Robinson. Illustrated by Franklane L. Sewell, Arthur O. Schilling, contributing. https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009169152

• Australian Poultry Standards 2nd edition

• Grow, O. (1956). Universal waterfowl standard and judging guide. Milwaukee: American Waterfowl Assoc., inc. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924003128190&view=1up&seq=9