Roman Tufted Geese

The Tufted Roman (Light Goose class) is a small, compact lightweight breed of goose that is characterized by a tuft of feathers on top of its head. The Tufted Roman is only recognized in white and was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s (APA) Standard of Perfection in 1977.

The standard weights are as follows:
Old Gander: 12 lbs.
Old Goose: 10 lbs.
Young Gander: 10 lbs.
Young Goose: 9 lbs.

The body of the Tufted Roman is rather short and plump with a well-fleshed carcass and fine bones. The paunch is dual lobed and should be held tight and close to the body with little tendency to sag. Keep in mind, however, that females just prior to and during egg production will have enlarged paunches.   The back is medium in width and should be about twice as long as it is broad, while the breast is full and well rounded. The neck is moderately long and stout with a slight arch. The breed’s most notable feature is the cylindrical tuft of feathers located on the crown which starts at a line even with the back of the eyes and inclines backward. The plumage is pure white while the bill is pinkish to reddish-orange and the shanks and feet are orange to pinkish-orange. The eyes are bright blue.

The ancestor of our modern Tufted Roman is, at least in part, the non-tufted Roman that was once very common in Italy as well as southern and central Europe. These non-tufted geese were characterized by their small size and compact plump bodies very similar to the Tufted Romans we see today. This original non-tufted Roman ancestor is believed to be a very old landrace breed. In fact, small white geese have been known in Italy for 2,000 years and were revered by the people as sacred animals of the god Juno (the goddess of marriage). These small white geese were eventually spread to the rest of Europe by the Roman armies and became well-known throughout the continent. It is not known when the first tufted birds appeared in the breed, but literature of the early 1900’s, cites that many Roman geese had a small crest at the back of the head.

Some waterfowl authors believe this is not the only possible explanation of the origin of the modern Tufted Roman. Well-known waterfowl authority Oscar Grow suggested that tufts, like crests in ducks, can show up in any breed, particularly in English and German geese, and it is from these various tufted birds that the Tufted Roman descended from. Grow reasoned that because many early American tufted geese more closely resembled English birds in terms of body shape and size rather than the original non-tufted Roman that the breed should not have been called Roman.

However, other authors of later years have argued that most tufted geese in the United States did, in fact, resemble the old non-tufted Roman in terms of size, body shape, and color and therefore deserved the designation Roman in the name. It was further argued that these birds had the same temperament and egg-laying ability as the non-tufted Roman. With this assertion and the fact that tufted Roman geese have been described since the early 1900s, it is probably safe to guess that our modern Tufted Romans are the result of a mutation that occurred in non-tufted Romans. However, it is still not out of the question that other tufted geese may have been crossed into these birds and were then bred back to Roman breed characteristics.

There are no clear records indicating when the first Romans were first imported to the United States. What we do know for a fact is that Richard Gidley, of Salem, Ohio imported some in the 1930s and for over 40 years he bred and distributed this breed all over the United States.

In this country, Tufted Romans never made it as a commercial breed as they do not have the size or growth rate as the heavyweight breeds. However, in Europe there are many strains of commercial geese that are designated as “White Italian” these are typically valued for their high egg production. Their relationship to our Tufted Roman isn’t certain but it is possible that they share a common ancestor, the original non-tufted Roman. This could indicate the Tufted Roman’s potential to be better utilized as a meat production bird if the right selection pressures for high egg production are applied.

As far as the breed’s history and purpose in this country, their niche has primarily been as an exhibition bird kept by fanciers. Nonetheless, the Tufted Roman is still a suitable bird for those wishing to produce a small market goose. As a bird for the homesteader, they make a good choice because of their small size and active foraging ability. They also make excellent natural parents and can easily raise their own broods. Moreover, they have a generally friendly nature and are easy to handle. In a flock mating situation, one gander can usually cover two to four females.

If a person has an interest in using, breeding, and preserving true Tufted Roman geese there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting breeding stock. Many people make the mistake of calling any goose with a tuft a Tufted Roman. This is simply not the case and many unscrupulous sellers take advantage of this. In order to select a true Tufted Roman first, look for birds with the appropriate body shape and size.  Avoid choosing individuals that are oversized, too tall or long-bodied, are too slender, or have heavy low-slung paunches. These traits are usually an indication of cross-breeding. Other physical deformities to watch out for are bowed or kinked necks, or small tufts. Color-wise, avoid ganders and old (over one year old) geese with too much gray in their plumage. Keep in mind, however, that it is perfectly normal for young Tufted Romans, especially females, to have traces of gray in the wings, back and occasionally the head. This gray color usually disappears after their first molt. Also, avoid birds with bright orange bills and legs. The Standard of Perfection calls for reddish-pink shading in the bill and the legs. Bright orange legs and bills are a serious fault in the show ring and should be selected against. It should also be noted that there are now buff and gray geese that have tufts. These birds are not Tufted Romans. These are merely colored birds that have been crossed with Tufted Romans or are the result of a mutation that occurred in a colored goose breed and should not be confused with the true APA recognized Tufted Roman. Non-Tufted Romans do exist in this country, however, they are not nearly as common as their tufted counterparts. The APA does not recognize these non-tufted birds.

Tufted Romans can typically be seen at most poultry shows across the country and are normally represented in small (one to five bird) classes. Conditioning Tufted Romans for the exhibition is a relatively simple matter. They just require bathing water to keep themselves clean and dry, mud-free quarters to keep their plumage from getting stained.  

In summary, the Tufted Roman makes a fine goose for the homesteader wishing to produce a small, plump market bird. Their tufts along with their small compact build and reddish-pink bills and legs make them unique among geese. This breed has much potential as a meat producer for the small farm and as an exhibition bird for the hobbyist.          

Prepared by Michael Schlumbohm.          

References

Brown, Edward. Races of Domestic Poultry. Liss: Nimrod Book Services, 1985.

The American Standard of Perfection Illustrated: A Complete Description of All Recognized Breeds and Varieties of Domestic Poultry. Burgettstown, PA: American Poultry Association, 2010.

Sheraw, Darrel, and Loyl Stromberg. Successful Duck & Goose Raising. Pine River, MN: Stromberg Pub., 1975.

Grow, Oscar. Modern Waterfowl Management and Breeding Guide. N.p.: American Bantam Association, 1994.

Holderread, Dave. The Book of Geese a Complete Guide to Raising the Home Flock. Corvallis, OR: Henhouse Publications, 1993.

“Roman Goose.” N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.    <http://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/roman>.

Toulouse Geese

Gray Dewlep Toulouse

The Toulouse (Heavy Goose class) is a heavy breed of goose originally developed for meat and liver production. The American Poultry Association (APA) recognizes the Toulouse in two varieties, the Gray, which is the original variety, and the Buff.

Standard Weights
Old Gander: 26 lbs.
Goose: 20 lbs.
Young Gander: 20 lbs.
Young Goose: 16 lbs.

The Toulouse at one time was considered an excellent meat breed. It is in the heavy class and along with the Embden possesses the largest standard weights of any breed of goose. The Toulouse is a massive and imposing breed of goose. The head is large, oval-shaped and wide with a dewlap that stretches from the bottom of the jaw, at the junction of the bill and throat, and attaches to the neck. The body of the bird is wide, long, and very deep. The breast is wide, prominent and smoothly attaches to the keel which nearly drags the ground. This keel runs in a smooth unbroken line to the legs. The stern of the Toulouse is deep and square and should have two well-balanced lobes. The overall impression is of a large, deep, rectangular bird. Another unique feature of the Toulouse is that the feathers of the back should have a ruffled appearance rather than being smooth like most other breeds of geese.  

In color, the gray Toulouse is an even soft gray with each feather of the back and flanks being edged with near white, with the rump being white. The Buff Toulouse should be an even shade of buff with each feather of the back and flank edged with nearly white, the rump is also white. The bill, legs, and feet of both varieties are orange and the eyes are brown.

Gray Dewlep Toulouse

Gray recognized in 1874

The breed takes its name from the city of Toulouse in southern France. The geese in the vicinity of this city were famous for size and productivity since the beginning of the nineteenth century, but whether these qualities were recent developments or characteristics of the local geese of this area from much earlier times is unknown. Though known by repute in England as early as 1810, Toulouse geese were not imported into that country until about 1840, when the Earl of Derby imported them to add to his poultry collection at Knowsley.

So far as can be learned from available records, Toulouse was first shown in America at Albany, New York, in 1856. This relatively late date of importation makes the Toulouse the latest of the “improved” breeds to be brought here, the other “improved” breeds being the Embden, African, and Chinese. From first acquaintance with it, the breed strongly attracted American fanciers and breeders and it soon became the most popular of the improved breeds.

Toulouse was originally bred for fast growth and for liver production, and are still bred and raised commercially in Europe primarily for pate de foi gras production. Additionally, Toulouse geese are and have always been known as prolific egg producers. Reports of up to 50-60 eggs per season are not uncommon. For this reason, in early America, and in England female Toulouse were often used to cross on Embden ganders with the resulting offspring then used for market geese. This cross would produce more goslings with lighter colored feathers and better carcass traits.

Today’s standard Toulouse, as bred for exhibition, was developed in England. These exhibition Toulouse which later became the standard Toulouse are characterized by large size, deep keels, and dewlaps. The plumage of the Toulouse is somewhat loose-fitting which often makes the birds look even larger than they actually weigh.

Buff Toulouse

Buff Recognized in 1977

The Buff Toulouse is said to have been produced from pure Toulouse stock by a Mr. Paul Lofland of Oregon. Since the first Buff Toulouse has been developed it is probable that the American Buff goose was crossed in with some strains of both Buff and Gray Toulouse to further establish the buff variety.

When looking to buy Toulouse geese buyers need to take some caution as to what they buy and where they buy it. Many so-called “Toulouse” in America are not the true standard type, but rather a smaller version that does not have the characteristic keel and dewlap. The only similarity between a standard Toulouse goose and what many hatcheries sell as “Toulouse” is the color. When looking for a true Toulouse it is best to go to a reputable breeder and be sure the stock is of good size and has the characteristic keel and dewlap. When choosing breeding stock be sure to avoid birds with shallow and narrow heads, small dewlaps, narrow bodies, or under-developed keels. Keep in mind, however, that Toulouse takes a few years to fully develop. Young Toulouse often have smaller dewlaps and less developed keels compared to mature specimens. Color faults to avoid include white feathers under and around the bill or indistinct white edging on the flanks and back. In Buff Toulouse avoid geese that are an uneven shade of buff. Also, pay attention to the bill and leg color. Avoid birds with pinkish shading on the legs or bills. The dark color in the bills of mature specimens (over one-year-old) is a serious fault. However, most young Toulouse will show dark pigment on the tip of the bill. This is normal and usually disappears with age.  

Caution needs to be taken when feeding Toulouse geese, as well as other heavy breeds, as they will get too fat if their diet is not watched. This can lead to a multitude of fertility and egg production problems. Many breeders restrict feed intake of their geese before the breeding season so that they lose body fat. This has a big impact on the appearance of the bird, as the keel will shrink some. As far as temperament goes the Toulouse is a very docile, quiet bird and not prone to aggressive behavior, except during breeding season where such behavior is normal for any breed of goose.

Toulouse are very good egg layers and it is possible to produce a lot of offspring from one mating in one season’s time. Toulouse are best mated in pairs or trios as the ganders are not particularly active breeders when compared to the medium and lightweight breeds. Though good fertility can be achieved on land, it sometimes enhances fertility if they do have the chance to mate in water. They are average foragers and like to graze but do not wander very far from where they eat and live. This could be advantageous for those who wish to let their geese roam but don’t have a lot of space for their birds or who have close neighbors.  

Prepared by Michael Schlumbohm             

References

Robinson, John H. Popular Breeds of Domestic Poultry. Dayton: Reliable Poultry Journal, 1924.

Brown, Edward. Races of Domestic Poultry. Liss: Nimrod Book Services, 1985.

The American Standard of Perfection Illustrated: A Complete Description of All Recognized Breeds and Varieties of Domestic Poultry. Burgettstown, PA: American Poultry Association, 2010.

Sheraw, Darrel, and Loyd Stromberg. Successful Duck & Goose Raising. Pine River, MN: Stromberg Pub., 1975.

Grow, Oscar. Modern Waterfowl Management and Breeding Guide. N.p.: American Bantam Association, 1994.

Sebastopol Geese

The Sebastopol (Medium Goose class) is a medium-sized goose best known for their curled feathers which is analogous to frizzling in chickens. White, the only recognized variety, was admitted to the American Poultry Association’s (APA) Standard of Perfection in 1938.

Standard Weights
Old Gander: 14 lbs.
Old Goose: 12 lbs.
Young Gander: 12 lbs.
Young Goose: 10 lbs.           

            This is the only breed of goose that has the characteristic curled feathers; even the flight and tail feathers are twisted.  Not only are the feathers curled but they are also longer than the average goose feather. This added length adds to the overall impression of a profusely feathered bird. Sebastopols are medium in size and have somewhat rounded heads that appear large in proportion to the body. Due to the long, curled feathers their bodies look appear rounded. If one can look beneath the feathers, one will find a well-fleshed, compact bird with a somewhat short back and an oval plump body. It is said that a good Sebastopol should be able to sit in and fill a bushel basket. The Sebastopol should have dual lobes but they are hidden by the long, profuse feathering of the body. The thighs are short and well-muscled with the shanks also being short and stout. In general, the longer and more curled the feathers of the breast, back, and body the better. The plumage is pure white with the bill, shanks, and feet being orange while the eyes are bright blue.

This breed of goose is said to have been unknown to Western Europe until the time of the Crimean War, with the first birds reaching England around 1859. The name Sebastopol was given at that time. Reportedly the name came from a seaport located in southeastern Europe and it is likely this is where the first birds were shipped to England. Thus, they named the breed Sebastopol. Later they were also known as Danubian geese. Sebastopols are thought to have originated from the region of Southeastern Europe and eastern Russia. Later reports indicated that Sebastopols were, in fact, numerous in this area. It is not clear when the first Sebastopols were first introduced in the United States but it was known to have been here at least by the early 1920’s.

While chiefly distinguished by the peculiar development of the feathers (the characteristic which has made them of interest in Western Europe and America), they have other qualities which account for their considerable popularity in Eastern Europe. They have a quiet temperament, not apt to wander, yet good foragers, and easily fatten. The flesh is of excellent quality, they are moderate layers, and make good sitters and natural mothers. For these reasons, they were a popular utility bird in their homeland.  

In this county, Sebastopols were always a fancier’s fowl and were never used to any extent for large-scale meat production. Because of their unique ornamental appearance, they were always and still are popular show birds. Many good quality birds can be seen in most of America’s shows. In fact, the Sebastopol class is usually the largest goose class of any breed. 

Although the only recognized color of Sebastopols is White, there are many breeders now working with colored varieties. Gray, Buff, Blue, Gray Saddleback, and Buff Saddleback Sebastopols are now being seen more frequently.

Conditioning Sebastopols for show is more difficult than most other breeds of geese. Due to their long curled feathers, it is important to keep them in clean dry pens to avoid dirty and broken feathers. Some literature suggests allowing the birds constant access to bathing water in order to keep their white plumage clean. However, some people have recommended that Sebastopols should not be allowed constant access to swimming water because the feathers do not shed water like normal feathers and this can lead to a ragged appearance. What some recommend is putting them in an enclosure with moderately tall grass to keep them clean and only giving them five-gallon buckets of water to submerge their heads in. This keeps the body feathers dry while still allowing them to keep themselves clean. It is best to leave the choice of management up to the individual and let them decide which method gives the best results. Regardless of the method used, overcrowding must be avoided with this breed to keep the feathers clean and intact. If they are too crowded there is a tendency for the other birds in the pen to pull out each other’s long loose feathers.  

When looking to purchase breeding or show birds there are some things to watch out for. First of all, avoid birds that have long, rectangular bodies. The body should be rounded when viewed from above and from the side. Avoid smooth breasts. Every feather on the breast should be curled and if this is not watched a large percentage of the offspring will end up being smooth breasted. Another major fault to avoid is stiff primary and secondary wing feathers. The primary and secondary wing feathers of Sebastopols should be long, soft and pliable allowing for maximum curl. Angel wing is a disqualification in any breed of goose, but many inexperienced Sebastopol owners easily miss this since it is harder to detect. Angel wing can be detected if the last joint of the wing points out away from the body at a sharp angle.

As far as color goes, avoid anything with large amounts of gray. Some young birds may show traces of gray, and this fine. This gray color usually disappears after their first molt, but in an adult, any traces of foreign color should be avoided. Proper bill, shank, foot, and eye color should also be kept in mind. Some Sebastopols have a tendency towards pink shading in the bills and legs.

Although Sebastopols are largely an ornamental, exhibition bird they could still be used a utility bird for home meat production. They produce a mid-sized well-fleshed carcass. The females lay well and make excellent natural mothers, while the ganders are fertile. One male can be kept with up to two to three females. Of course, their unique feathering makes for an interesting conversation piece.

Prepared by Michael Schlumbohm

References
Robinson, John H. Popular Breeds of Domestic Poultry. Dayton: Reliable Poultry Journal, 1924.

Brown, Edward. Races of Domestic Poultry. Liss: Nimrod Book Services, 1985.

The American Standard of Perfection Illustrated: A Complete Description of All Recognized Breeds and Varieties of Domestic Poultry. Burgettstown, PA: American Poultry Association, 2010.

Sheraw, Darrel, and Loyd Stromberg. Successful Duck & Goose Raising. Pine River, MN: Stromberg Pub., 1975.

Grow, Oscar. Modern Waterfowl Management and Breeding Guide. N.p.: American Bantam Association, 1994.

Sebastopol Geese at Poultryville

I want to tell you about what’s just hatched in the incubator. A beautiful little Sebastopol gosling. Sebastopol is a breed of geese with the curly feathers as adults. Their feathers have a little twist to them so the bird looks like a feather pillow. When they are little like the most recent hatchlings you can’t really tell that they will have that kind of hairdo, or, I should say, feather-do, but eventually, as they mature the feathers will curl.

Now when the goslings first hatch they don’t need any feed or water for up to 48 hours. There’s enough yolk still left in their systems that will supply energy and food for them. When it is time to give them water to drink, I like to give them a vitamin supplement too.

Next, we start them on a feed that is 20% protein. I also add a little brewer’s yeast to the feed because it gives them a little more niacin and they need that.

Once the goslings start eating you would not believe how much they will expand in just four weeks. They start going through that very awkward stage where they begin to lose their down and put on feathers. By six months they look like they’re full-grown.

I enjoy having geese at the Garden Home Retreat, particularly the rare Sebastopols, because it provides an opportunity for their genetics to be perpetuated, and also they’re very beautiful to have out in the pasture and on the pond.

Conservations Matters: Heritage Geese

Giant Dewlap Toulouse at Moss Mountain Farm

It’s well-founded that standard bred large fowl and quality breeders are in decline, and heritage breeds of geese are no exception. Many reasons are cited for this decline, such as the cost of maintaining flocks of such large birds, as well as the increasing challenges of processing waterfowl for the farm to table market. 

At the August 2019 Large Fowl Summit held at Moss Mountain Farm, the Heritage Poultry Conservancy (HPC), American Poultry Association (APA), The Good Shepherd Conservancy, and the Livestock Conservancy (LC) agreed that December would be deemed "Heritage Goose Month.” HPC board member, Dr. Keith Bramwell, said ‘this effort is a way to raise awareness for the need for greater conservation work among geese breeds in need." 

P. Allen Smith & a Sebastopol Goose

While some breeds, such as Africans and Sebastopols, enjoy popularity among exhibition breeders and the public, other breeds find themselves in more dire circumstances. Shetlands, Cotton Patch, Roman Tufted and Steinbachers are among those seldom seen in poultry shows, reflecting their small population status. The Livestock Conservancy maintains that six breeds are currently on the critical and threatened lists, meaning among those cited with critical status there may be fewer than 500 breeding birds in the United States, with five or fewer primary breeding flocks (50 birds or more), and an estimated global population of less than 1,000.

In an effort to conserve Saddleback Pomeranians and large Embdens, the Heritage Poultry Conservancy is working with Frank Reese at the Good Shepherd Conservancy to get these breeds back into production. Reese, well known for his work with Heritage turkey varieties, has plans to bring these two breeds of "market geese back to the market, where they belong," says Reese. P. Allen Smith and Frank Reese have been joining forces for the past 13 years to conserve heritage breeds of poultry. Moss Mountain Farm serves as a safe harbor site for some of Reese’s Heritage turkey, chicken and waterfowl genetics. Reese goes further to say ”we are about biodiversity and helping to change what we eat by better farming. Not only saving endangered poultry but bringing diversity to the culinary world. We are starting to get some great support both nationally and internationally."  

P. Allen Smith & Frank Reese at Moss Mountain Farm, 2009

In December, the HPC will deliver approximately 65 Heritage geese for breeding stock to Reese’s farm as a 'boots on the ground' conservation effort. The Heritage goose bloodlines will come from a range of sources, including Moss Mountain Farm, Pete, and Cheri Dempsey, Michael Schlumbaum, No Fish Creek Farm, Gerald Donnelly, Holderread Waterfowl Farm, and others. 

By producing large numbers of goslings each year and making selections from these populations, Reese will be able to make greater strides in improving the size, type, and vitality of the breeds, according to Smith. “These birds should be excellent market fowl and just as good in the exhibition ring. This was the approach and criteria taken in the past, there was no differentiation between market and show," said Reese.

Saddleback Pomeranian Geese at Moss Mountain Farm

Demand for market geese has declined over the years, but niche markets remain interested in sources for heritage breeds, especially when raised and processed ethically. December and the winter months in many cultures have traditionally been a time when the goose has been a part of culinary traditions, much like the turkey in November. Patrick Martins’s Heritage Foods USA is a key component of this conservation effort. Without the support and distribution of Heritage Foods USA, there would not be a nationwide effort to bring these birds back to the market. “Patrick’s dedication to helping save and support small farmers and heritage poultry overall is to be commended” stated Reese. 

“Heritage Foods — the company at the forefront of the nonindustrial meat movement —
”

— The New York Times

China Geese

Moss Mountain Farm, home of the Heritage Poultry Conservancy, maintains flocks of six breeds of geese; including Saddleback Pomeranian, Roman Tufted, Dewlap Toulouse, Sebastopol, Chinas and Embdens. The mission of the HPC is to raise awareness regarding these breeds, support youth engagement through exhibition awards, and conserve genetics. “We presently keep over 50 breeds and varieties of rare and endangered poultry for the purposes of genetic conservation,” said Smith. 

Sebastopol Geese at Moss Mountain Farm

‘Boots on the ground’ efforts such as the recent National Heritage Turkey show sponsored by the HPC at the Ohio National was a huge success, said Clell Agler, “Almost 200 entries made it the largest show in decades." Smith, the founder of the HPC, was adamant that turkeys be bench judged as they were in the past, meaning exhibitors are required to bring their birds before the APA licensed judge. This is an attempt to close the gap between market quality and exhibition birds, advancing the Heritage farm to fork movement.

“Volunteers are critical in these conservation efforts.” cited Smith. Reese has many volunteers for turkey ‘loading’ days, usually the second weekend in November. Russ Crevoiserat, 70, a retired veteran and online accounting instructor for the University of Southern New Hampshire has logged over 2,400 miles this fall to collect flocks of geese for the Heritage Goose project. Other volunteers made up of poultry science students, breeders and small farm advocates all play their roles to accomplish these strides in Heritage poultry conservation.