Chinese goose
Encyclopedia
The Chinese Goose is a breed
of domesticated goose
descended from the wild Swan Goose
. Chinese geese differ from the wild birds in much larger size (up to 5–10 kg in males, 4–9 kg in females), and in having an often strongly developed basal knob on the upper side of the bill. The knob at the top of the beak is more prominent on males than females. By 6–8 weeks of age, the knob is already pronounced enough that it can be used for sexing. Chinese geese are a close cousin of the African goose
, a heavier breed also descended from the Swan Goose.
Chinese geese appear in two varieties: a brown similar to the wild Swan Goose, and white. While many domestic Chinese geese have a similar body type to other breeds, the breed standard
s as defined in the American Poultry Association
's Standard of Perfection and other sources call for a slimmer, taller fowl.
Chinese geese are among the better laying breeds of geese. A female Chinese goose can lay 50–60 egg
s over the course of the breeding season (February to June), although there are reports of Chinese Geese laying up to 100 eggs during that time.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of domesticated goose
Domesticated goose
Domestic geese are domesticated Grey geese kept as poultry for their meat, eggs, and down feathers since ancient times.-Origins and characteristics:...
descended from the wild Swan Goose
Swan Goose
The Swan Goose is a rare large goose with a natural breeding range in inland Mongolia, northernmost China, and southeastern Russia. It is migratory and winters mainly in central and eastern China...
. Chinese geese differ from the wild birds in much larger size (up to 5–10 kg in males, 4–9 kg in females), and in having an often strongly developed basal knob on the upper side of the bill. The knob at the top of the beak is more prominent on males than females. By 6–8 weeks of age, the knob is already pronounced enough that it can be used for sexing. Chinese geese are a close cousin of the African goose
African goose
The African is a breed of domestic goose. Not actually African at all, African breed geese are descended from the wild Swan Goose, just like their close cousin the Chinese goose. Though they share some similar characteristics , the two can be distinguished by the African's larger dewlap and...
, a heavier breed also descended from the Swan Goose.
Chinese geese appear in two varieties: a brown similar to the wild Swan Goose, and white. While many domestic Chinese geese have a similar body type to other breeds, the breed standard
Breed standard
A breed standard in animal fancy and animal husbandry is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the specifics of the breed....
s as defined in the American Poultry Association
American Poultry Association
The American Poultry Association is the oldest poultry organization in the North America. Founded in 1873, and incorporated in Indiana in 1932 The first American poultry show was held in 1849, and the APA was later formed in response to the burgeoning need for an overseeing body to set standards...
's Standard of Perfection and other sources call for a slimmer, taller fowl.
Chinese geese are among the better laying breeds of geese. A female Chinese goose can lay 50–60 egg
Egg (food)
Eggs are laid by females of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, and have probably been eaten by mankind for millennia. Bird and reptile eggs consist of a protective eggshell, albumen , and vitellus , contained within various thin membranes...
s over the course of the breeding season (February to June), although there are reports of Chinese Geese laying up to 100 eggs during that time.