The Czech goose is a small but beneficial goose breed that has served as a significant income source for many people for over 200 years. These geese served many purposes in that time, and they are still popular today. It wasn’t until 2008 that the breed standard was established in the UK. Read on for more information about the Czech goose.
Quick Facts about the Czech Goose
Breed Name:
Ceská husa (Czech), Tschechische Gänse (German)
Place of Origin:
Bohemia
Uses:
Feathers, eggs, meat
Gander (Male) Size:
12–14.5 pounds
Goose (Female) Size:
7.7–12.3 pounds
Color:
White
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Climate Tolerance:
Native climates
Care Level:
Easy
Eggs:
10–20 per year
Czech Goose Origins
The Czech goose was developed as a breed in Germany, although it’s unclear when. The breed was developed from the landrace geese that lived in Bohemia at the time, which is part of the modern-day Czech Republic. These geese served as a major income source for many people in the area due to the exportation of eggs, meat, feathers, and the geese themselves. These goose goods have been exported throughout Europe for over 200 years.
These geese are one of a handful of fully white goose breeds. They are smaller than other geese, but they are similar in appearance to Roman geese. Although small, Czech geese are stocky birds with dense, muscular bodies and short, thick necks.
Ganders can weigh up to 14.5 pounds, while geese rarely exceed 12 pounds. Geese tend to lay 10–20 eggs annually, although some reportedly lay as many as 45 eggs annually. The eggs weigh around 140 grams (4.9 ounces), which is not much smaller than the average goose egg size of 150 grams (5.3 ounces).
Czech geese are busy birds known to be exceptionally chatty, often chattering to people and among themselves. They are hardy foragers and are prized for their adaptability and friendly nature. However, these geese are known to be fierce protectors of their eggs and hatchlings, especially toward other birds.
They make lovely pet geese, and their small size makes them more manageable in small spaces than most other goose breeds. They are typically friendly and personable with people, making them good starter geese for children and people without waterfowl or bird experience.
Uses
Czech geese have always been used for a multitude of purposes. They are great layers, and their eggs are often exported. Although they are small, they are stocky, powerful birds, making them a good source of meat. Their pretty feathers are also a popular product. These days, most Czech geese that are owned are kept as pets or for eggs or meat for hobby farms.
All Czech geese are solid white geese with orange feet and beaks. They come in a crested and non-crested variety. Non-crested Czech geese have a smooth, rounded head, while the crested variety has a feather tuft on top of the head just past the eye line.
Due to their popularity as pets and for small farms, Czech geese can be found in many places. They are primarily located in Germany and the Czech Republic, though. Today, some people differentiate between German and Czech geese by referring to the German bloodline as Bohemian geese, while the Czech bloodline is still referred to as Czech geese.
Czech geese are fantastic for small-scale farming operations. They don’t require much space and are great at foraging, making them relatively self-sufficient. They are friendly geese that produce a fair number of eggs annually. On top of being great layers, Czech geese are an excellent source of meat and feathers.
Conclusion
The Czech goose is an easy and profitable goose to own, particularly for small farms. As a goose, they are easy to take care of and do not much specialized treatment. They are hardy, can withstand colder climates, and can be raised by novice goose owners.
