Geese

Sebastopol and Toulouse

Sebastopol geese are a smaller, ornamental variety maturing at around 12 to 14 pounds. While traditionally white, they also come in an array of colors and patterns, as described by the National Sebastopol Geese Association. Because of their beautiful feathers, the fully curly birds are flightless and the smooth breasted birds have limited flying ability. Mature females lay an average of 35-50 eggs per year. Their curls can get in the way of successful mating and thus have decreased fertility as compared to other goose breeds. As a result, the Livestock Conservancy identifies Sebastopol geese as a threatened species (an estimated global population of less than 5,000).

French Toulouse (production variety) geese are a large, maturing at around 15-18 pounds. The traditional French Toulouse is a soft grey with white rump. Mature females lay an average of 35-50 eggs per year. While they have the ability to fly, Toulouse are content remaining on the homestead with their flock mates.

Both breeds can be used for meat, eggs, and show. With a lifespan of up to 25 years and a docile, friendly nature, Sebastopol and Toulouse geese also make excellent pets. Geese are foragers and need steady access to grass or other greens throughout the day. While they do enjoy a splash in the water to keep themselves clean, a small wading pool can more than enough to keep these breeds happy.

Our Flock

Our breeding program focuses on Sebastopol and French Toulouse (production variety) geese, though we occasionally dabble in other breeds.

Our geese are seasonal layers and typically lay during late winter to early spring, though we've also been surprised by eggs in the late fall.

Our Sebastopols have the potential to produce goslings with shades of blue (blue, lilac; lavender, cream), buff, grey, or white coloring expressed in a solid or pied (saddleback or splash) pattern with curly breasted (full-body curl except for head and neck), smooth breasted (smooth breast, long curls on the back, wings, and thighs), or fully smooth (smooth all over, no curl) feathering. While we can make an educated guess regarding a bird's potential, we cannot guarantee a particular color/pattern combination for birds that are not fully feathered (approximately 2-3 months of age). We also cannot guarantee the feather-type for birds that are listed as "mystery curl".

Our Toulouse have the potential to produce grey goslings with the potential for a crest/tuft on their heads.

Available Geese

While they will bond with other poultry, geese are often best suited in a flock that includes at least one other goose. For that reason, we will only sell a single bird to homes that already have at least one goose (any breed/gender combination); all others are subject to a 2-bird minimum purchase.

When available, we offer three general age categories: 1) Gosling (hatch through 3 weeks of age) - Goslings are offered as straight-run only with no guarantee of feather color/pattern. Goslings may require a supplemental heat source.

2) Juvenile (4 weeks to 4 months of age) - Juveniles may be offered as straight run or vent sexed with no guarantee of feather color/pattern.

3) Adult (4+ months of age)

Our individual bird pricing considers:

1) Age category - Due to the additional resources invested in growing out birds, pricing increases with age.

2) Color/pattern and feather-type

3) Gender - We vent sex geese older than 4 weeks of age. Once sexed, available birds are listed as goose (female) or gander (male). Due to the higher demand for females, their price is generally increased as compared with males.

Based on availability, our sexed birds may be sold in pairs (one male and one female), trios (one male and two females), or single males (1+). The purchase of single females (1+) will be subject to availability relative to number of available males.

Available birds can be picked up locally in Staunton, VA. Alternatively, the buyer may coordinate transportation to anywhere in the U.S. with a livestock transportation company/hauler.