Description
African Geese
Breed History and Origin
The African goose is a close relative of the Chinese goose, sharing similar ancestry but developed into a larger, heavier breed. Originating from China, it was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1874. African geese are widely valued for their size, utility, and presence in farm settings. Cackle Hatchery® Poultry Breeding Farm has been developing its African goose bloodline since 1974.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
African geese are known for their large size, strong build, and distinctive black knob above the beak that develops as they mature. This feature gives the breed its recognizable head shape.
Cackle Hatchery® raises the production-type African goose, rather than the heavier dewlap show type. This production type has a moderate neck thickness, falling between the heavier dewlap African and the slimmer Brown Chinese goose. Mature geese typically weigh around 12.5 pounds, while ganders average about 15.5 pounds, placing them in the Heavy goose class.
Egg Production and Performance
African geese produce approximately 35–45 extra-large to 2XL white eggs per year, making them a fair but consistent layer for a heavy breed.
Temperament and Behavior
This breed is vocal, alert, and protective, making them effective for property awareness and deterrence. African geese can be territorial, especially during breeding season, but they can also be raised as gentle and manageable birds when handled regularly from a young age. Fertility percentages typically range between 55–70%, with a recommended mating ratio of four females to one male. Gender accuracy is 100%.
Meat Production and Farm Use
Due to their larger size and body weight, African geese are a strong choice for meat production. They are commonly used in farm and homestead settings where both size and utility are valued.
Housing and Management
Like other geese, African geese do not require roosts and remain at ground level (floor). They benefit from access to water, grazing areas, and secure space due to their territorial tendencies.
Shipping and Availability
Cackle Hatchery® offers seasonal goose availability based on hatch timing.
Due to shipping regulations, we cannot ship geese to Hawaii.
Maximum order quantity: 16
Goose Care Resources
12 Reasons to Keep Geese https://www.cacklehatchery.com/12-reasons-to-keep-geese/
Keeping Ducks and Geese Together https://www.cacklehatchery.com/keeping-ducks-and-geese-together/
How to Pluck a Goose https://www.cacklehatchery.com/how-to-pluck-a-goose/
How to Deal with an Aggressive Goose https://www.cacklehatchery.com/how-to-deal-with-an-aggressive-goose/
Geese: They’re More Than Meat and Feathers https://www.cacklehatchery.com/geese-theyre-more-than-meat-and-feathers/
African Goose FAQs
What is the difference between African and Chinese geese? African geese are larger, heavier, and better suited for meat production.
Are African geese aggressive? They can be territorial and vocal, especially during breeding, but can be manageable if raised with regular handling.
How many eggs do African geese lay? They typically produce 35–45 eggs per year.
What is the knob on an African goose? It is a natural breed feature that develops with age and gives the goose its distinctive appearance.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Darcy Kallus –
Ordered three geese last year. They arrived healthy and in good condition. They are grown now and lovely.
jtevans2453 –
I received three healthy geese in February 2022 so I’m giving three stars. However, people should know that despite the description given by Cackle, these geese are not heavy nor do they have dewlaps. These geese are more like brown Chinese hybrids in my opinion.True African geese get dewlaps and are much heavier bodied, sometimes called Super African. I did not know this difference existed within the lines until after maturing these “African” geese.
Teresa –
Best purchase!
Received my 38 plus 7 freebies and 2 African goslings on April 10, 2020. Every single one came healthy and active. My African goslings are already 2 ft tall and heavy at just close to 7wks and very affectionate. They love to be held like babies and nibble at my shoes. They love to talk!!! So very happy with my purchase. I have recommended Cackle Hatchery to my friends and family. Phenomenal customer service, very sweet people. Thank you Cackle Hatchery for my sweet babies.
D –
African Geese
I just Love Love these geese. They were shipped in Spring and we have had no fatalities. They are so Loving and so much fun to watch. They were raised with the Peking and the Anacona ducks and they are all buddies. The geese and ducks look out for one another. I would definitely order them again. Live them.
Mrs. P –
favorable
Cute little gosslings and so hearty! Who doesn’t love the pitter patter of webbed feet as you walk along. Great personality! I do wish i could order earlier and choose a date earlier in the spring
Grese –
African geese
Last year I purchased 4 African geese from you. I had 3 adults and was surprised when they hatched 3 chicks a month later. They all blended and are very friendly
They roam freely during the day., swim in the pond, spend nights in the barn. Come up to the house looking for me when it is time to go in at night. They lead me to the barn. I have 10 ducks and they all live together. Love having the geese.
Annette –
Would like to have known sooner that order could not be completed.
Ordered 3F/1M African Geese; 5F/1M Toulouse Geese and 4F/1M Silver Appleyard Ducks. Only reason for 4 not 5 stars is that they did not have any ducks to ship to me. (Only learned this when order arrived = Too late to order from anyone else) (not charged for them.) All geese are healthy and happy. The Africans are smaller/slighter built than other Africans that I have had even though the ‘others’ were not sold as “giant” either. Seriously- a lot smaller/slighter built. So buyer should know that to get the ‘normal’ large/hefty Africans, they will need to get the “giant African” from this company. Plan ahead-they sell out early!!
Chell –
2 African Geese
Cackle hatchery sends out very healthy birds and instructions on how to keep them alive. Our African Geese are fully grown and doing splendidly!
Paul –
very friendly
very friendly and sociable
Rick G –
Poor Success
We have bought multiple geese twice. All but one has died within 1 to 10 days. We have raised many goslings and dozens of ducks and chicks over many years. So we know how to hatch and raise babies. These goslings seem to be frail and already week when they arrive.
lmjordan10 –
Healthy and Happy African Geese
Geese arrived along with chickens, bourbon red turkeys and khaki campbell ducks in large order. All birds arrived alive and healthy and we did not lose a single one. Our experience with Cackle Hatchery was wonderful and we have been very pleased with the birds. The African Geese were raised in the same brooder with the ducks and they all stick together. They are now almost 7 months old. The geese are very loud but that’s okay because I want them to protect my entire flock of different birds. I ordered them unsexed and do not know yet if we have female or male but suspect they are male. They are very tall, beautiful geese.
Kato –
Great family addition
The geese arrived safely and quickly. They have made wonderful pets. One even sits on my son’s lap. Easy to care for, hearty breed.
Carudrive –
Goose Growing Fast
Always wanted a goose. Added one to my surprise box. We are calling him/her Daisy, til we figure that part out. Very healthy doing well. Extremely pleased with my whole experience with Cackle. Customer service is great.
Ancha –
Oyster shell is a gr
Oyster shell is a great source of calcium to help develop strong eggs. It will not hurt to feed them the oyster shell you could always have it as a free choice separate from the food.
Krishna –
We have just purchas
We have just purchased 10 hens, 24- 26 weeks old. They have a seucre run and a purpose built coop, big enought for 15 20 chickens. How do you make the chickens go into the coop. They kept running around it until we caught them and put them inside. Should we have put them inside immediately, to save the added stress of catching them. If this is the case, when do we let them out again.
Frank Florida June 2013 –
Six goslings shipped
Wow! They were shipped Monday and were here in Florida by 10:30 am on Tuesday. That’s fast. All six arrived hungry but healthy. They have all had a meal of chick starter and learned how to drink from the waterer. So now they are snoozing. Thanks for a happy family.
Karen Missouri June 2010 –
chicks
We received our chicks at 5:45 this morning via our request at the post office. All but one was in great shape. The rest are doing so well. Thank you for making our first time at ordering chicks through the mail a wonderful experience.
Thomas North Carolina –
Thanks
I placed a order for 3 African Geese 25 sultans and 10 silkies and received them as healthy and happy as they could be. I am once again a very pleased customer. I put Cackle Hatchery before all others. You have the best price, best service and the best quality. I look forward to my next order, just not sure when but there will be another. Thank you for the extras, this goes to show just how much you care. Thanks you again
Kim Washington May 2015 –
Cackle Hatchery
Thank You! The chicks arrived early this morning. On little turkey did not make it;however, you sent an extra so we received the exact number of (living) birds we ordered. They are all doing very well! As always, we are very happy with out ordering experience with Cackle Hatchery! Thank you!