Pomeranian Goose: Facts, Uses, Origins & Characteristics

The Pomeranian Goose is a domesticated bird that originated in Germany. Also known as the Rügener goose or Pommerngans (in German), this breed is dated as far back as the 1500s but did not receive breed recognition until 1912. The Pomeranian Goose is a large breed that is a descendant of the Greylag Goose. They are very popular as market geese throughout Europe with more emphasis in Germany and Poland.

Quick Facts about the Pomeranian Goose

Pomeranian Goose Origins

The Pomeranian Goose was first developed by farmers of Pomerania in Northern Germany as early as the 1500s but was not recognized as an official domestic goose breed until 1912. They were traditionally bred for a single lobed paunch and to have a large amount of breast meat.

They are descended from the Eastern Graylag Goose, which is why true Pomeranian Geese have the pinkish-red beak, legs, and feet. Today it is the dominant breed in Northern Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

These geese made their way to North America but, due to crossbreeding with other geese, the North American varieties have two lobes and only exist in the saddleback variety.

Pomeranian Goose Characteristics

Pomeranians are large, domesticated geese, with ganders reaching up to 25 pounds (and 20 for geese) when fully grown. They are a hardy breed that does well in all climates with appropriate shelter.

They are a very social breed that tends to be very noisy and chatty, which can be bothersome to some keepers but helpful if you’re needing a watch goose. You can expect to be greeted with noise but whether it is a happy greeting or an aggressive one will be dependent on the individual

Concerning temperament, some Pomeranians can be quite docile, especially with those they are familiar with. It is not uncommon to run into those that respond aggressively though, and it can be hard to tell what kind of response you will get from different individuals. They seem to pick up on body language with ease and are very responsive.

Pomeranian Geese differ in appearance from Europe to North America, with the European versions having a single lobed paunch and North Americans having two lobes. The Saddleback Pomeranian only exists in North America. Their prominent breasts make them great for meat production.

Ganders can be paired with 3 to 4 geese and the geese can lay up to 70 eggs per season, making them popular seasonal laying geese. It’s not uncommon to get around half of that number of eggs though.

Uses

The Pomeranian Goose is a dual-purpose breed in both Europe and North America. Since they were bred to have substantial breasts, they are commonly used as meat geese. Since the females can lay up to 70 eggs per season, they are also used for egg production. In addition to meat and eggs, these loud, chatty geese also double as good watch birds for the barnyard.

Appearance & Varieties

The Pomeranian goose comes in four different color varieties including solid white, solid gray, saddleback buff, and saddleback gray. They have prominent breasts, giving them an arrogant gait and overall appearance. Thanks to their Graylag ancestors, they will have a pinkish-red bill, reddish-orange legs, and blue eyes.

The Pomeranians have shorter, thick necks with flat heads. They come in several different colors, which breeders emphasize. There is such a wide variety of different markings that no two geese look the same and breeders will specifically pair geese and ganders to see what different markings they get as a result.

German Pomeranian Geese

The original Pomeranian Geese have a single-lobed paunch and are the variety that is found in Europe, with an emphasis in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. These geese are white and gray but lack the saddleback appearance.

Saddleback Pomeranian Geese

The saddleback varieties only exist in North America and are noted for having two lobes, and their head, back, and flanks being colored buff or gray. The head, back, and flanks of a saddleback are either a buff or gray color. All colored feathers on their backs and flanks are edged in near-white coloration and the rest of the body is white.

The differences noted in the North American varieties are the result of limited breeding stock that eventually resulted in genetic variations within the breed.

Population/Distribution/Habitat

Pomeranian Geese are found throughout Europe but are denser in their native land of Germany and the surrounding areas including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. They are also found throughout North America in the Saddleback Pomeranian variety. They are used in these areas for the same purposes of meat, eggs, and watch geese.

It is recommended that any goose gets about 6 to 8 square feet of space per bird. Though they are very tolerant of all climates, they will need a safe shelter from the elements and predators that have proper ventilation. These geese will enjoy chattily roaming the barnyard and alerting of any potential threats.

Are Pomeranian Geese Good for Small-Scale Farming?

Pomeranian Geese can make an excellent choice for small-scale farming geese. They are considered dual-purpose for the production of meat, thanks to their prominent breast meat and eggs since they are great seasonal layers.

They also make great watch geese for the farm since they are a very loud and noisy breed that will have no trouble sounding the alarm if something is out of the ordinary. They may not make the best choice for those seeking a quiet domestic goose breed, however.

Conclusion

Pomeranian Geese have a long history that is said to date back to the 1500s in northern Germany. They have since grown in popularity and are found throughout Europe and now North America but as the saddleback variety that has some different genetic mutations. Unless your goal is to avoid a super-chatty, loud goose, you really can’t go wrong with this breed.

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Featured Image Credit: Pixabay