Sebastopol

The Sebastopol, one of the oldest domestic varieties of geese, is reputed to have come originally from Turkey and the vicinity of the Black Sea, is bred both for ornament because of its odd and beautiful appearance, and also for its economic qualities being prolific, hardy, and excellent for the table. Gander and goose are similar except that the goose is somewhat smaller.

The Sebastopol is descended from the European Greylag goose. It was first exhibited in England in 1860 under the name 'Sebastopol goose'. They were also referred to as Danubian geese; a name first used for the breed in Ireland in 1863.'Danubian' was used as a synonym in the 19th century; and only given precedence by Edward Brown after the turn of the 19th century.

The Sebastopol is a medium-sized goose with long, white curly feathers. The feathers of the neck are smooth. Feathers on the breast may be curly (frizzle) or smooth. The gander weighs 12-14 lbs while the goose weighs 10-12 lbs. The legs and shanks are orange and the eyes bright blue. On average, females produce 25-35 eggs per year. Though domesticated breeds of geese generally retain some flight ability, Sebastopols cannot fly well due to the curliness of their feathers and have difficulty getting off the ground.

In German, they are called Lockengans or Struppgans, meaning "curl-goose" and "unkempt goose".

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

SHAPE OF GANDER AND GOOSE

HEAD: Rather large.

BILL: Of medium length and size, stout at base.

EYES: Large and prominent.

NECK: Medium in length, carried upright. Feathers of head and upper neck smooth, of lower neck curled.

WINGS: Incapable of flight; primaries and secondaries much curled and twisted.

BACK: Short, straight, covered with profuse feathering, feathers very much curled and developed in length, in good specimens reaching to the ground. The curlier and longer, the better.

TAIL: Main-tail feathers long and very much curled and twisted.

BREAST: Round, deep, full, without keel, feathers very much curled, the curlier the better.

BODY: Round, broad, deep, profusely covered with long and much curled feathers.

LEGS AND TOES: Lower thighs, short, large, feathers curled; shanks short, stout; toes straight, connected by web.

NOTE: In Australia both a Curly Breasted and Smooth Breasted variety are accepted for exhibition.

In the curly breasted variety only the feathers of head and the upper neck are smooth. Feathers on the lower neck, the breast and the rest of the body are very curled. The feathers on the back should be long and ribbon-like. They should not have stiff shafts but be curled and soft. In better specimens the ribbon feathers from back and wing will almost touch the ground.

In the smooth breasted variety the breast is smooth feathered, as is the entire neck, the belly and paunch. As in the curly breasted variety, the feathers should be soft and ribbon-like without stiff shafts. Plumage on the flanks, wings and coverts will be softly curled and fall down past the rump in a curtain of ribbons that may prevent the legs and feet from being visible.

COLOUR

COLOR OF GANDER AND GOOSE

BILL: Orange.

EYES: Bright blue.

SHANKS AND TOES: Deep orange.

PLUMAGE: Pure white. In young specimens traces of gray should not be cut.

WEIGHTS

Adult Gander - 14 lbs. Adult Goose - 12 lbs. Young Gander - 12 lbs. Young Goose - 10 lbs.

SCALE OF POINTS

Goose Points from the American Standard of Perfection referenced below.

SERIOUS DEFECTS

• Straight (normal) wing flights.

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/Sebastopol_goose

• 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

  • Kramer, R. (1926). Kramers Taschenbuch der Rassegeflügelzucht. 3. Aufl. Würzburg: H. Stürtz.