Day Old Super African Goslings
Hatching March to May.
Super African Geese are massive and magnificent birds, heavy and muscular looking, standing almost 3 feet tall. African Geese are truly sentinels of the farmyard or backyard flock, and they get a lot of attention due to their size and imposing attitude. These birds are not chubby - they have a streamlined and hearty look.
These Super Africans are larger in size and darker in color than the regular African Geese we offer. These also have large dewlaps, which hang below their lower bill, head, and upper neck.
Production: Although often raised as an ornamental bird or as a farm companion, the Super African Goose is a very good choice as a heritage production bird. They grow fast and produce high-quality, lean meat. Their meat is known for being less fatty than the meat of other large-sized geese such as Embdens. A young gander can weigh up to 16-18 pounds at 18 weeks old.
They also produce a good number of large, 5-8 ounce, white eggs. Under ideal conditions, Super African Geese can start laying in their first year and produce between 30-45 eggs per year. Super African Geese also continue to lay for many years and are usually long-lived. Males and females bond well, and each gander can be matched with two to six females. These birds are magnificent additions to any backyard flock. They are also very good foragers.
Temperament: Super African Geese are stately birds. Despite their grand size and proud bearing, they are calm and good-natured. If hand-raised, many will be very tame and affectionate. African Geese can be a bit noisier and more talkative than many other types of geese.
History: Although referred to as African, these geese originate from Southeast Asia. They are closely related to the Chinese Goose, which has a very similar appearance but is lighter in weight and more graceful looking. Both the Chinese Goose and African Goose are the result of selective breeding originating with the wild Swan Goose. African Geese first appeared in Great Britain in the mid-1800s and were referred to then as "Hong Kong" geese. They made it to North America around the same time and were seriously bred throughout the 20th century, creating strong American lines. The American Poultry Association recognized the African Goose breed in its first Standard in 1874.
Colors: The Super African Goose is mostly a tawny tan color with a dark umber brown stripe that extends from the top of the head down the back of their long and thick neck. They have a striking face with the dark black bill with a white edge where the beak meets the head. The underside of the head, dewlap, and neck are very light, and the coloring gradually gets darker turning into a fawn grey and brown coloring over the shoulders, wings, and tail. Legs and feet are orange, and eyes are large and dark brown. Males and females are similarly colored, but females tend to be a bit smaller in size.
Besides the unusual dewlap, Super African Geese also have a feature called a knob, which is an extension of the bill attached to the front of the head, creating an impressive profile. The knob and dewlap can take some years to develop fully. Although this breed is very hardy, this knob can be susceptible to frostbite so they should be provided with a winter shelter.
Conservation Status: Watch.
Weight: Young Male Gander 22 lbs; Young Female Goose 18 lbs.
APA Class: Heavy Goose
