- Toulouse goose
The Toulouse is a breed of
domesticated goose originating nearToulouse, France . It is a large bird, with a weight of up to 9 kg,Hugo, S. (undated). [http://www.fao.org/docrep/V6200T/v6200T0n.htm Geese: the underestimated species] . FAO Agriculture Department.] and is known for it's ponderous appearance and largedewlap s. The original grey coloured breed is a very old one and the name has been recorded back as far as1555 . The breed was first brought to theUnited Kingdom byLord Derby in1840 , who imported some of them toEngland , and from then onwards the French Toulouse were used as breeding stock with the consequence that by1894 , English breeders had produced a massive bird. The 'Toulouse' in France, although kept in greater numbers, have never quite equaled such weights.The bird has a very trusting nature and a placid disposition, with the consequence that it doesn't thrive in
flock s of mixed breeds. More aggressive geese will greatly distress the 'Toulouse', putting it offmating and sometimes resulting in its losing out at the feeding trough. These are very domesticated birds, easily bewildered by more active breeds. They do not needwater or apond . However, being water fowl, they love bathing and playing in water and will also mate in water. They are not great wanderers, preferring to stay close to home, making them ideal for a large garden or orchard, where they will thrive. Interestingly, individual geese vary, and others thrive in mixed flocks and become severely aggressive, biting and hissing, while others are placid and prefer to follow around smaller ducks as opposed to other geese.The breed is a good layer of eggs, producing as well as any other goose breed. They rarely have problems producing
fertile eggs, although problems can occur during severe weather in thewinter andspring , as is the case with most breeds. A good goose will lay up to 160 eggs a year. However, these birds are not good sitters.References
* Batty, Joseph (1996): "Domesticated Ducks" & Geese: Beech Publishing House. ISBN 1-85736-091-5
ee also
*
List of goose breeds External links
* [http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Geese/BRKToulouse.html Toulouse Geese at feathersite.com]
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