African Geese

Baby African goslings

Hatching April to June.

African Geese are heavy, imposing birds good for showing or as general-purpose farmyard geese.

Production: You can expect an average of 20-40 eggs per season per goose. Ganders will weigh between 18 and 20 pounds at maturity. African Geese produce the leanest meat of the heavy geese, and many people raise them for that reason. When hand-raised, African Geese can become quite tame.

History: Despite the name, African Geese did not originate in Africa. Instead, they are related to the wild Swan Goose native to Asia. Africans have been known by many names over time, and are closely related to the Chinese Goose. African Geese are long-lived, and productive from the very first year if properly cared for. The African Goose is an old breed and has been raised in the United States since the 1800s. It was included in the first Standard published by the American Poultry Association in 1874.

Livestock Conservancy Status: The LC lists African Geese in the Watch category.

Body Type: The African Goose is a hefty creature. Its body is almost as wide as it is long, and it has a thick neck holding up a wide head with deep-set eyes. There is no keel, but there is a thick knob at the base of the bill, and a crescent-shaped dewlap that may become ragged in appearance as the bird ages.

Average Mature Weight: 16-20 pounds

Classification: American Poultry Association Class: Heavy Geese