Domestic goose

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Domestic goose is the vernacular name given to the various breeds of geese born from hybridization with the greylag goose and the goose, also called goose of China ( Anser cygnoides ). Although nowadays hybrids of both strainsare foundall over the world, the Anser anser crossesare native to Europe and North Africa. They were already raised in ancient Egypt. Scenes of feeding were found on old frescoes 4,500 years Saqqara. Crosses from cygnoid goose originate mainly from Asia. Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, or South American Islands’ White Coscoroba, and there are currently more than 100 domestic goose breeds.

The domestic goose usually has a rather massive body and a plumage with variable colors in shades of gray, brown and white. Some breeds are totally white. The beak is yellowish or black, sometimes surmounted by a tubercle in males, which is called jars. The pink or orange legs are webbed because most species are as comfortable on the ground as on water.

Domestic goose is gregarious and sociable. Unlike wild species, in which couples are united for life, the gander can be a yard of two or three females. She is raised for her flesh, but also for liver production fat, feathers and down, as well as for the weeding of crops. The goose has a good memory, and knows how to go alone on grazing sites. This characteristic also gives it the status of effective guardian. She knows how to recognize her guardian of a foreign person. In the case of an intrusion on its territory, it begins to scream and is able to attack the undesirable pecking. On the other hand, it is of a tolerant nature vis-à-vis its congeners and other animals.

The fertilized eggs can be performed in the first year, but production is lower than chickens and ducks. Naturally, laying occurs only seasonally, but poultry farmers expose the layers to artificial light to extend the laying period. Eggs for goslings must be incubated naturally or artificially.



Domestic goose can be fed on harvested grasses, seeds and vegetable peelings. Some herders lead their herds to harvested fields where they pick up unwrapped vegetables such as salads, cabbage, carrots or turnips .

The goose enters many legends and stories. The golden goose , a tale of the Grimm brothers, the fable of the goose and golden eggs of Aesop, is thought to be  the tale  of Nils Holgersson’s wonderful journey through Sweden with the geese and, of course, the account of Livy, who says that in the year 390 BC Rome was saved from an invasion. In fact, the geese used to guard the Capitol alerted the Romans with their cries, and thwarted a Gallic invasion. Of course, everyone knows the game of goose, the first mention of which dates from 1580.

Who has heard of the “Lison to Geese”, or Gänseliesel in German? The “Goose Lison” is largely thematized in the German-speaking countries. The folk figure can be a sculpture or painting depicting a girl guiding geese to the market or pond. According to legend, it would be a princess forced to take the place of a peasant.

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