The Toulouse Goose

Uses: Utility - meat, especially when crossed with Embden Geese. As a broody although due to their size, can break their eggs.

Eggs: 20 to 40 per year. Colour: White

Weight: Gander: 11.8-13.6 Kg, Goose: 9.1-10.9 Kg.

Colours: Grey, Buff and White.

Useful to know: A popular fast growing commercial hybrid is an Embden Gander crossed with Toulouse Geese. Dropped Tongue is common in Toulouse Geese.

Photo: A German Toulouse Goose with a smaller keel than British / American exhibition varieties..

Toulouse Geese originate from the countryside around the city of Toulouse in Southern France. The French created this incredibly heavy goose to use for 'Pâté de foie gras'. This has been, and still is, a delicacy in France. Forced feeding used in the production of foie gras production is controversial, due to the procedure of forcing a tube down the throat and the health consequences of an enlarged liver. A number of countries now have laws against the sale of foie gras and the force feeding of animals. It was the British and American breeders that increased the size and dewlap of the Toulouse Goose even further. German Toulouse have smaller keels than British Toulouse.

The Grey Toulouse Goose (together with the Embden Goose) was one of the first Geese to be standardised in 1865 in the UK. The White version was standardised in 1982 and the Buff in 1997. In France they are called L'oie du Toulouse and in Germany Toulouser Gänse.

Books

• Domestic Geese - C. Ashton - P.45-52
• Keeping Ducks and Geese - C. & M. Ashton - P.60
• British Waterfowl Standards - P.36-38
• British Poultry Standards - P.378-380

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