Description
Hatchery Choice Geese
Breed History and Origin
Hatchery Choice Geese offer a practical way to add geese to your flock at a lower cost while still benefiting from established domestic breeds. These geese may include a mix of well-known varieties such as White Chinese, African Goose, Toulouse Goose, and White Embden, all of which have long histories in domestic poultry production. These breeds originate from both European and Asian lines and have been developed over time for a combination of meat production, utility, and temperament. Because this is a hatchery choice assortment, specific breed selection is based on availability at hatch and is not tracked individually.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Since Hatchery Choice Geese may include multiple breeds, appearance can vary significantly. You may receive geese with white plumage, gray or mixed coloring, or the more upright body type seen in Chinese geese. Some may have heavier, broader bodies like Toulouse or Embden types, while others may be more active and upright like Chinese or African geese. This variety can add visual diversity to your flock, though exact characteristics will depend on what is available at the time of hatch.
Egg Production and Broodiness
Egg production and broodiness will vary depending on the specific breeds included. In general, domestic geese are seasonal layers, producing large eggs during the spring months. Some breeds, particularly Chinese types, are more consistent layers, while heavier breeds tend to lay fewer eggs but may exhibit stronger brooding tendencies. Because this is a mixed offering, you can expect variation in both egg output and broodiness behavior.
Temperament and Backyard Suitability
Temperament will depend on the mix of breeds received, but most domestic geese are known for being alert and territorial, making them effective natural “watch animals.” Some breeds, like Chinese geese, are more vocal and active, while heavier breeds such as Toulouse or Embden are often calmer. With proper handling from a young age, many geese can become manageable and even friendly. They require more space than chickens and do best in environments where they can graze and roam.
Production Positioning and Exhibition Use
Hatchery Choice Geese are best positioned as a utility and backyard flock option rather than for exhibition. Because breeds are not identified or tracked, they are not suitable for show purposes. However, they can be used for meat production, egg laying, weed control, and property awareness depending on the mix received. This makes them a flexible and cost-effective choice for homesteads and small farms.
Breeding Note / Color Note
Since these geese are sold as straight run and breed identity is not recorded, they are not ideal for controlled breeding programs or maintaining specific bloodlines. Offspring may vary widely in appearance and traits depending on the genetics of the birds received.
Related Resources
Check out our blog “12 Reasons to Keep Geese” https://www.cacklehatchery.com/12-reasons-to-keep-geese/
Shipping Notes
May or may not be assorted depending on availability of breeds at the time they hatch.
White Chinese
African Goose
Toulouse Goose
White Embden
MAXIMUM OF 16
Sorry we do not tell you what breed we sent with this package, and we do not keep records of what breeds are sent.
We cannot ship geese to Hawaii.
FAQ
What breeds are included in Hatchery Choice Geese?
They may include White Chinese, African, Toulouse, or White Embden geese depending on availability.
Will I know which breeds I receive?
No, breeds are not identified or recorded in Hatchery Choice assortments.
Are Hatchery Choice Geese good for beginners?
Yes, they can be a cost-effective way to start raising geese, though behavior may vary by breed.
Can Hatchery Choice Geese be used for breeding?
They can reproduce, but they are not recommended for maintaining specific breed lines.
How many geese can I order?
There is a maximum order limit of 16 geese.
Blaine Boschman –
I LOVE my geese. I ordered the hatchery choice surplus and I got a good variety. I got a female Embden, a Toulouse, and two white Chinese. They were all alive and healthy when they came in. This is my first experience with geese and I know I will be ordering more!
Sisco Farms –
Ordered 4 Hatchery Choice Goslings. We had a hiccup in shipping with my local post office refusing delivery. Cackle employees helped me track my birds down and get them home. All four babies arrived alive and healthy. I am very pleased with Cackle’s animals and even more pleased with their customer service. If you’re looking for a hatchery, look no further; you found them!!
sventswanson1971 –
I received an order of four healthy goslings this spring. They survived the trek to Minnesota, even though the weather wasn’t nearly optimal. I have three breeds and I absolutely love them.
Andrew Flores –
All of the birds arrived healthy and happy and have been good guardians of the chickens and ducks that came with them. I got 3 toulese geese and a embden all gals which is perfect as they are all for my first goose from cackle a big loud African goose named Alex.
Michelle Prentice –
I ordered a surplus geese package, a surplus turkey package and a surplus Easter egger package. All arrived healthy and started eating and drinking right away. I received 3 different types if geese, 4 different types of turkeys, and an extra chick. I am already looking at my next order. Thank you Cackle!!
CRYSTAL YOUNG –
Great Surplus offering! My kids are over the Moon over their new goslings. Very healthy gosling. The Gosling eat from my kid’s hands they are currently working on naming them. You made a customer for life!!
cjp5920 –
I have never owned geese before so I decided to let Cackle select my breeds for me. There are 4 breeds available and I surprisingly ended up with 1 of each. The Chinese and African are guardian breeds which ended up being perfect for my homestead. Thanks Cackle Hatchery!
aspen –
I ordered 8 Hatchery Choice Geese, and all of them arrived safe and sound! Ended up with 5 White Embdens and 3 either African or Toulouse goslings. I would order from Cackle again, great assortment of goslings.
Theclassicalfarmer –
Great bargain
I couldn’t decide what type of geese I wanted so decided to go with the hatchery special. I received 2 Toulouse geese and a chinese goose and was very happy with them. One of the Toulouse geese ended up having severely bowed legs and he was later killed by a predator. The Chinese goose is very protective of his girls and us and will attack our dogs and guests if he thinks we are being threatened, which I consider I good thing.
Phod –
Great experience
I’m very happy with the purchase I made through cackle hatchery. They c allied and checked on my animals and to see if I needed anything. Very nice employees! Thanks for everything.
fuzzy5 –
Within driving distance happy to say
After having geese for almost 40 years, our male mixed Toulouse died suddenly in early June. We love the disposition of the Toulouse but by that time of the year, had to buy the choice surplus offering. Ended up getting 2 Chinese (very aggressive and 1 has a genetic defect), 2 Toulouses, and 1 Emden. Our old Toulouse has her ‘wings’ full teaching them the dos and don’ts but all seem to be adjusting to our little AR farm. We PLAN to drive back up in the Spring and get more hatchlings. Overall content w/ the purchase.
Gigi –
goslings
Goslings arrived happy and healthy. I love Cackle Hatchery!
Brandon –
Great experience
Geese arrived on time a d very healthy. Will buy again!!
Lisa –
Very happy customer
I received my geese today and the hatchery even put in an extra in case something happened to one. But nope they all were happy and making noise. I will recommend Cackle Hatchery. Thanks
ChickensInWichita –
Very happy with Cackle
We drove 5 hours from Wichita to the Cackle Hatchery. We wanted a Toulouse to be a friend to our single African Goose. They said they were out of Toulouse but gave us a African instead. Six weeks later, ll and behold, it was a Toulouse. Tungi is now 6 months old and very healthy. She loves the Kansas winter we are having and is best friends to our other female African goose, who is just 2 mi this older than she is. They are inseparable. In fact, the picture of the African and Toulouse that Cackle uses for their “Hatchery Geese Assortment” is actually of Paca and Tungi that I posted on Backyardchickens.com. We will be using Cackle again.
Kristi Virginia April 2014 –
Hello
My guess arrived a little while ago and all is well–they are all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!:-) Thank you for the care you take in shipping these sweet little creatures so they will arrive safe as well.