African Goose: Characteristics, Uses & Best 19 Facts

African goose are not actually from Africa. The breed descended from the wild swan goose, just like their close cousin the Chinese goose. Actually the origin of this breed is not well documented.

Historical studies show that the African goose has been known by many other names. And it’s origin has been attributed to many continents. The breed seems to have arrived in North America on ships that traveled around the world. So the exact origin of the African goose is ambiguous.

There are two theories persist about the origin of this bird. One purports that ‘the African goose are the result of crosses of swan geese and Chinese geese’. Other asserts that ‘they are pure derivations of the swan goose’. And their unique traits are simply the result of selective breeding.

Whichever is correct about their origin, the breed has existed as a distinct breed since at least the middle of the nineteenth century. The African goose breed was admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in the year of 1874. Review more details below.

Characteristics of African Goose

African goose is a heavy breed. But it is not as heavy as the Toulouse or White Embden. But the African goose grow and mature early than these two goose breeds. They are different from other goose and have a large black knob on their head and a dark stripe down the back of the neck. The breed is very dignified looking and attract a great deal of attention.

They may or may not have a dewlap. And their dewlap is slow to develop in some birds, taking 12 to 36 months to develop fully. The African goose is desirable especially for crossing with the heavier goose breeds.

The breed is close relative of Chinese goose and has similar knob above their beak. The African ganders often have a higher pitched call than the geese and are taller. But the females are shorter and stockier. And the females have larger keels or lobes.

The African geese appear in three color varieties, which are Buff, Brown and White. The White variety has all white plumage and orange colored bills and knobs.

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And the Brown variety has plumage with irregular shades, from a very light to dark brown. And they have black bills and knobs. Standard weights: Old Gander: 9.98 kg, Young Gander: 8.17 kg, Old Goose: 8.17 kg, Young Goose: 6.8 kg. Photo form Wikipedia.

Uses

African goose is one of the heavy weight breeds which was developed mainly as a meat bird. Sometimes they are crossed with Toulouse goose for meat production. Commercial meat goose are raised mainly for meat and feathers.

Special Notes

The African goose breed is better known for their docile temperaments. Females are not among the good egg layers. They usually lay 20-40 eggs per year. Their eggs are extra large in size and white in color. Their eggs weight 5-8 ounces and hatch in 30-32 days.

African geese are long lived birds. And they produce for many years under normal circumstances. Geese form bonds with their mates and each gander can be mated with more than one goose.

Generally one gander can be mated with 2 to 6 geese depending on the individual birds. The African goose are very hardy and their knob can be subject to frostbite in extreme cold. However, review full breed profile of African goose breed in the chart below.

Breed NameAfrican
Other NameThe breed is also called by some other names.
Breed PurposeMeat
Special NotesDocile, Friendly, Fast Growing, Hardy
Breed ClassHeavy
BroodinessAverage
WeightStandard weights: Old Gander: 9.98 kg, Young Gander: 8.17 kg, Old Goose: 8.17 kg, Young Goose: 6.8 kg
Climate ToleranceAll Climates
Egg ColorWhite
Egg SizeExtra Large
Egg ProductivityPoor (20-40 eggs per year)
Flying AbilityPoor
RarityCommon
VarietiesWhite, Buff & Brown
Country of OriginProbably form China

African Goose Facts

Here are some of the best African goose facts:

  1. African geese are known for their long necks and legs. This physical characteristic makes them easy to identify among other breeds of geese.
  2. Unlike other breeds of geese, African geese are not migratory. They prefer to stay in one location throughout the year.
  3. African geese are large birds that can weigh up to 20 pounds. This makes them a popular choice for meat production.
  4. One of the most unique features of the African goose is their ability to communicate. They are known to make a variety of sounds, including honks, hisses, and grunts.
  5. African geese are highly social animals and are often kept in flocks. These flocks can consist of up to 30 birds.
  6. The African goose is a hardy breed that is able to tolerate extreme weather conditions. They are able to withstand both hot and cold temperatures.
  7. African geese are known for their docile temperament. They are friendly birds that are often kept as pets.
  8. These geese are excellent foragers and are able to find food in a variety of environments. They are often kept on farms or homesteads for their ability to find their own food.
  9. African geese are excellent guardians. They are highly territorial birds that will alert their owners to any potential danger.
  10. These geese are highly adaptable and are able to thrive in a variety of environments. They can be found living in rural and urban areas alike.
  11. African geese are able to lay up to 50 eggs per year. These eggs are larger than chicken eggs and are often used in baking.
  12. These geese are often raised for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in many parts of the world.
  13. The feathers of African geese are often used in clothing and bedding. They are known for their softness and durability.
  14. African geese are known for their excellent parenting skills. They are attentive parents that will protect their young at all costs.
  15. These geese are able to live for up to 15 years. This makes them a long-term investment for farmers and homesteaders.
  16. African geese are able to swim and are often found near bodies of water. They are able to float effortlessly and are excellent swimmers.
  17. These geese are able to fly, but they prefer to stay on the ground. They are not migratory birds and do not fly long distances.
  18. African geese are able to form strong bonds with their owners. They are loyal birds that will follow their owners around.
  19. These geese are often used in conservation efforts to help restore wetlands and other natural habitats. They are able to eat invasive plant species and help to maintain the balance of ecosystems.

Tips for Raising African Goose

There are some important things to keep in mind when raising African geese to ensure their health and wellbeing. Now we will take a look at 19 of the best tips for raising African geese.

  1. Create a safe and secure enclosure: African geese are vulnerable to predators, so it’s important to provide them with a secure enclosure. This can be a fenced-in area or a covered pen.
  2. Provide clean water: African geese need access to clean water at all times. A shallow dish or kiddie pool can be used for this purpose.
  3. Feed a balanced diet: African geese require a balanced diet that includes both commercial feed and fresh greens. Make sure to provide them with a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.
  4. Offer grit: African geese need grit to help them digest their food. Offer them grit in a separate dish or mix it in with their feed.
  5. Provide shade: African geese can overheat in hot weather, so it’s important to provide them with shade. This can be in the form of trees or a shaded area in their enclosure.
  6. Keep them clean: African geese are prone to mites and other parasites, so it’s important to keep them clean. This can be done by providing them with a dust bath or giving them a gentle bath.
  7. Allow for socialization: African geese are social animals and thrive in groups. Allow them to socialize with other geese to promote their wellbeing.
  8. Provide a nesting area: African geese need a nesting area to lay their eggs. This can be in the form of a nesting box or a secluded area in their enclosure.
  9. Allow for exercise: African geese need exercise to stay healthy. Provide them with ample space to walk, run, and flap their wings.
  10. Provide a clean and dry bedding: African geese need a clean and dry bedding area. This can be in the form of straw or hay.
  11. Keep their enclosure clean: African geese produce a lot of waste, so it’s important to keep their enclosure clean. This can be done by removing waste regularly and hosing down the area.
  12. Trim their wings: African geese can fly short distances, so it’s important to trim their wings to prevent them from flying away.
  13. Offer calcium supplements: African geese need calcium to produce strong eggs. Offer them calcium supplements or crushed eggshells to meet their needs.
  14. Monitor their health: African geese can be prone to health problems, so it’s important to monitor their health. Keep an eye out for signs of illness and seek veterinary care if needed.
  15. Provide fresh water daily: African geese need access to fresh water at all times. Change their water daily to ensure that it’s clean and fresh.
  16. Offer a variety of food: African geese enjoy a variety of food. Offer them different types of greens and vegetables to keep their diet interesting.
  17. Keep them protected from the elements: African geese are hardy birds, but they still need protection from extreme weather conditions. Provide them with shelter from rain, snow, and wind.
  18. Keep them safe from toxic plants: African geese can be affected by toxic plants. Keep them away from plants that are toxic to geese, such as rhubarb, nightshade, and daffodils.
  19. Provide a water source for swimming: African geese enjoy swimming and need access to a water source for this purpose. This can be a shallow pool or a pond.

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