Pilgrim Geese
The
Pilgrim Goose is a unique breed of domestic geese being the only breed found in North America that is auto-sexing, meaning it can be easily sexed by color. Males are pure white with blue eyes and the females are mostly gray with some white on the head; they can be sexed immediately upon hatching as well. The
Pilgrim Goose is an excellent bird to harvest soft and valuable goose down; the chest feathers can be easily plucked to gain access to the silky soft feathers that lay beneath.
The
Pilgrim was developed in Missouri some time in the 1930s by a renowned waterfowl breeder named Oscar Grow. The
Pilgrim Goose is one of the most practical geese for a small farm owner or any goose breeder. This medium sized goose, weighing between 13 and 16 pounds, make excellent fryers or roasters and are extremely easy to care for. While some geese can be talkative and distracting, the
Pilgrim is quiet as well as docile and friendly. Though normally quiet, they are excellent parents and will raise alarm if they perceive a threat to themselves or their young.
Pilgrim Geese will naturally raise their own goslings and being excellent foragers they require minimal care as long as they have sufficient pasture to graze. These birds are great in a flock or in small numbers, and since they are auto-sexing and extremely practical they make the ideal goose for any small farmer.
