How Much Does a Goose Weigh? The Normal Weight Range of a Goose
The goose is a type of animal in the class Aves, order Anseriformes, family Anatidae, and is considered the first poultry species domesticated by humans. The Chinese goose descends from the swan goose, while the European goose descends from the greylag goose. It grows quickly and lives longer than other poultry, weighing 4 to 15 kg, and inhabits the vicinity of ponds and other bodies of water. It is a good swimmer. The main breeds include the Lion Head goose, the Taihu goose, and others. Let us take a look below at how much a goose weighs!
How much does a goose weigh?
The weight of a goose varies with breed and age in months. Geese are divided by body size into three categories: large, medium, and small. For small breeds, the gander weighs 3.7 to 5.0 kg and the goose 3.1 to 4.0 kg, such as China's Taihu goose, Wuzong goose, Yongkang grey goose, Huo goose, Zi goose, and others. For medium breeds, the gander weighs 5.1 to 6.5 kg and the goose 4.4 to 5.5 kg, such as China's Zhedong white goose, Wanxi white goose, Xupu goose, Sichuan white goose, Yan goose, Ili goose, and others, as well as Germany's Rhine goose and others. For large breeds, the gander weighs 10 to 12 kg and the goose 6 to 10 kg, such as China's Lion Head goose, France's Toulouse goose, Landes goose, and others.
The largest goose breed
The Toulouse goose. The Toulouse goose, also known as the Siam goose, the Tulus goose, and others, is the largest goose breed in the world. It originated in the town of Toulouse in southwestern France. It has a large head, a pointed bill, a thick short neck, and a broad deep body, with well-developed dewlap and belly fold. The plumage is greyish brown with a red abdomen, and the bill, shanks, and webs are orange-red. The adult gander weighs 10 to 12 kg and the goose 8 to 10 kg, and it lays eggs annually.
Common types of geese
1. Lion Head goose: The Lion Head goose is China's only large goose breed, named for the well-developed fleshy knobs on its forehead and cheeks that make it look like a lion's head. The adult gander weighs 8.85 kg and the goose 7.86 kg. The age at first laying is 160 to 180 days, generally controlled to 220 to 250 days of age. It lays 24 eggs in the first laying year, with an average egg weight of 176 g and a milky white eggshell.
2. Taihu goose: The Taihu goose originated in the Taihu area of the Yangtze River Delta. It is small to medium in build. The adult gander weighs 4.33 kg, and the adult goose 3.23 kg. Its laying performance is relatively good, averaging 84.6 eggs per year, with the highest reaching 123. The average egg weight is 135.3 g, and the eggshell color is fairly uniform, being almost entirely white
3. Emden goose: The Emden goose originated near the city of Emden in western West Germany. The goose begins laying at about 10 months of age, averaging 10 to 30 eggs per year, with an egg weight of 160 to 200 g. The eggshell is hard and thick and white in color. The goose has a strong brooding instinct. The adult gander weighs 9 to 15 kg and the goose 8 to 10 kg. It has good fattening performance and fine meat quality, and is used to produce high-quality goose fat and meat.
4. Siam goose: The Siam goose is the largest goose breed in the world. It was domesticated and bred from the greylag goose in the early 19th century. It originated in the suburbs of the city of Toulouse in southern France and is mainly distributed in southwestern France. The age at first laying is 305 days. It lays 30 to 40 eggs per year, with an average egg weight of 170 to 200 g and a milky white eggshell. The gander has a relatively strong libido, and the goose's brooding instinct is not strong. The adult gander weighs 12 to 14 kg and the goose 9 to 10 kg. After forced fattening, the average fatty liver weight per goose can reach more than 1.0 kg, and the maximum fatty liver weight can reach 1.8 kg.