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Embden Geese on East Runton Duck Pond

Embden Geese according to the records are not a very old breed, only being cited for around 200 years. The origins of this breed are thought to be from Northern Europe, in Holland and Germany. The eminent authority, Lewis Wright, was of the opinion that they originated from the town of Emden in Lower Saxony, Germany, although another source, namely Edward Brown, in ‘’Race of Domestic Poultry’’ believed that the breed was created by crossing the German White with the English White and then, by a process of careful selections, creating the goose as it is today. Others suggest that the English Embden’s great weight and size was produced by selective breeding with the Toulouse breed, which was then bred out leaving the large size of this breed.

The breed is pure white with a light orange, short, bill, and orange feet and shanks. They are fast growing birds and will quickly reach about 9kg (20lb) for the Goose, and 14kg (30lb) for the Gander. The Embden's legs are fairly short. The head is oval-shaped and they have a long and graceful neck. The eyes are blue. The body is bulky and well rounded, having a long back and a short tail. The wings are very strong and of a good length. The feathers are close and very hard. The breed’s habits are to forage for tidbits in the grass and water, a very hardy breed. The adult bird will commence laying eggs fairly early in the year, in February as a rule, laying 30 to 40 eggs. The bird is an excellent table bird.

• Batty, Joseph (1996): Domesticated Ducks & Geese: Beech Publishing House. ISBN 1-85736-091-5

• List of goose breeds

• Embden Geese
• Embden Geese 2
• Rearing Embden Geese

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