The Pilgrim goose is a breed of domestic goose from United Kingdom. It is also called Australian Settler goose in Australia.
Exact origins of the breed are not clear. But the birds are thought to be either descended from stock in Europe or developed from the American stock during the Great Depression era.
Most people believe that the breed originated in England and was exported to America and to other places.
It is also believed that the Pilgrim goose breed was developed during the 1930s by Oscar Grow in America, that is well documented and gave the breed it’s name.
The breed grow relatively faster and are raised commercially for meat production, especially in the United States. It was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1939.
And currently the breed is listed as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. Read more information about the breed below.
Pilgrim Goose Characteristics
The Pilgrim goose is a medium sized breed. It is among the two American goose breeds which gender is easily identified. The day old males are of silver-yellow colored with light colored bills, in contrast to the olive-gray females with their darker bills.
The fully grown geese are soft dove-gray colored with varying amounts of white in their faces. While the adult ganders are mostly white in color, usually with gray rumps and traces of color in the tail and wings.
Both ganders and geese have orange colored bills and legs. The eyes are of dark brown color in geese and the ganders have blue eyes.
Their head is trim, the crown is often slightly fattened and the neck is average in thickness and length. Bodies of the Pilgrim goose are full and plump, with a smooth, keel-less breast.
Mature Pilgrim ganders on average weight between 6.3 and 8.2 kg. And average live body weight of the mature geese vary from 5.4 to 7.3 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Pilgrim goose is mainly used for meat production.
Special Notes
The Pilgrim goose is a rugged and relatively quiet breed. It is docile in temperament and is excellent forager which make it excellent choice for the home goose flock.
The birds are excellent natural parents. The males and females are easily identified by their color. A gander usually can be mated with three to five geese. If managed well, a geese on average can lay about 35 to 45 eggs per year.
The breed is very good for meat production and is raised in commercial farms, especially in the United States. However, review full breed profile of the Pilgrim goose in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Pilgrim | |
| Other Name | Australian Settler | |
| Breed Purpose | Meat | |
| Special Notes | Rugged, relatively quiet, docile temperament, excellent foragers, excellent for home goose flock, excellent natural parents, males and females are easily identified by their color, geese on average lay about 35 to 45 eggs per year | |
| Breed Class | Medium | |
| Ganders | 6.3-8.2 Kg | |
| Geese | 5.4-7.3 Kg | |
| Broodiness | Average | |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates | |
| Egg Color | White | |
| Egg Size | Large | |
| Egg Productivity | 35-45 eggs per year | |
| Flying Ability | Average | |
| Varieties | Single | |
| Rarity | Critical | |
| Country/Place of Origin | United Kingdom |
