Toulouse geese – the main characteristics and conditions of detention

Toulouse geese are very popular among farmers all over the world. Such demand is explained by the high taste properties of meat and liver, as well as undemanding to the conditions of detention and ease of care.

History of the origin of the breed

Toulouse geese spread all over the world from France – there they originated. Breeders with special efforts were able to bring out a miracle bird, which has excellent productivity. At the same time, they also exceed almost all other birds of their kind in saving money on maintenance.

For many years, French scientists have crossed different types of geese in the hope of creating one that will surpass all other breeds and be in demand and attention from shepherds.

Years later, they were still able to breed such a breed, and called it – Toulouse. It was obtained from two breeds of geese, one of which was the usual – gray. After some time, the Toulouse geese began to spread in Europe, Asia and America. As a result, the Toulouse geese appeared in Russia, quickly winning first place in popularity among farmers.

Description and characteristics of Toulouse geese

Let’s get to know this breed better to understand how they differ from the rest, and why they enjoy increased attention and love.

Appearance and physique

These birds are endowed with bright qualities with the help of which it is not easy to confuse them with another breed. Tall, heavy geese are bright (young) and dark gray (adult) in color. It is also difficult not to notice the wide head, which ends in a yellow-orange beak. It looks like the head is flat. Massive and wide body. Strong limbs, and medium size, long neck.

Coloring may change. Not infrequently, at the end of the limbs from gray, the color turns into black. This can be seen on the neck and wings. It happens that brown individuals appear – a very rare species. They were even given a separate name “Buff Toulouse”. There are not many examples registered with Russian farmers.

Geese are also distinguished by physique. With these parameters, they are further divided into four groups:

  • Large fat folds on the body, abdomen, and a “purse” on the neck near the head.
  • With a “purse”, but without fat folds.
  • Without a “purse”, but with a large fat fold in the abdomen.
  • Without a “wallet”, and without a fat fold.

The first and second groups of geese stand out less. They are inactive, poorly fertile.

Weight indicators

Currently, they are among the most massive birds. This is because people specifically selected only the most powerful representatives of the species. The ones that remain today. On average, ganders are heavier than geese. They gain up to 9-11 kg, and an adult weighs about 12 kg. Geese are smaller – in weight they are 2 or 4 kg behind, and gain 7-9 kg.

Geese grow at an extraordinary rate, which is what many farmers love. More meat, fat, and fat itself accumulates well, because the breed is sedentary. Farmers take advantage of this and fatten them up on purpose.

Toulouse geese

Egg production

The egg production of the breed pleases. It depends on the age of the goose. In the first year, she can drop up to 18-19 eggs. In the second – 25 eggs. In the third year, a goose can shed over 40 eggs. The eggs themselves are strong, massive, with a white shell. Their weight can be 200-250 g.

The mother’s instinct in geese of this breed is almost not developed, and she is not able to protect her eggs. Therefore, when she sheds her eggs, she has to put them under the geese of other breeds so that they wear them. Or, if there are no other breeds, leave the egg in the incubator. The birth rate is low, when breeding young geese, about half are fertilized eggs. The survival rate is not high, on average – a little more than half.

Features of maintenance and cultivation

Warmth and dryness are the main thing in their content, because geese do not endure cold temperatures at all, surviving only when favorable conditions are created.

What should be the room?

Geese are extremely thermophilic and cold indoors will be a huge problem. Get rid of all drafts, crevices, and holes in the walls that will let in the cold. The normal temperature for their content is 20 degrees. The humidity level should not be too high, which will also not affect them positively – no more than 70%.

Geese have not very good immunity, and in order to strengthen it, it is necessary to carry out daily cleaning in the room, remove droppings. The floor can be covered with a layer of straw or peat. The second option will be better, because it absorbs almost all the moisture from the floor, but it must always be dry.

In winter and in cold weather, the layer should be high – from 25 cm. Before laying it, make sure that there is no accelerated reproduction of bacteria and pests. Use the means necessary for this to prevent the spread of bacteria (slaked lime). If the infection has already spread, use a decoction of chamomile, succession and other herbs. Bathe geese in it once every two weeks.

A small area is not welcome, and according to calculations, 1,5 square meters are allocated per livestock. m area. Allocate another half a square meter to the room. m, as geese grow very quickly and need free space. It is desirable that in the place where you keep them, there are several rooms. No more than 5-6 adults should be in one room.

Maintenance in winter

In the cold season, there is a high probability of getting sick. In geese, diseases are much more difficult than in humans, so food should be saturated with vitamins and nutrients, organic and mineral substances.

The bedding should be denser and warmer. No moisture in the room, as well as in the warm season. Monitor the temperature in the room where the geese are kept. Do not forget about sanitary rules, clean the room from dirt and droppings once a day.

Walking should also be present in the life of birds, but not as long as in summer and spring. Take the geese outside for an hour or two – maximum. Before you take them out, sweep away all the snow completely, otherwise they are in danger of frostbite and disease. Keep a close eye on them while walking, as the breed’s immune system is weak.

Walking and water procedures

In order for the geese to develop properly, as well as to strengthen the immune system, daily walking is necessary. Better if several times a day. Access to the sun and clean air should be mandatory, and it is desirable that there are water bodies near this territory.

Geese of this breed should take water treatments 3 times a week. There are cases when geese did not need a reservoir at all, but in most cases, water has a positive effect on the state of the body, although not significantly.

Toulouse geese

Breeding

During the laying period, the goose leads a small life activity. The period begins in early March (late February), and once a day the goose incubates a new egg, usually in the morning. In total, about 40 eggs will be released per year.

Maternal instinct is completely absent in Toulouse geese. They cannot protect the egg, watch over it, care for it, and hatch it. She does absolutely nothing to reproduce. In this case, two methods help: either you can put an egg under a goose of a different breed, or use an incubator.

The incubator method is more popular, as it will hatch eggs faster, and in some cases, it even increases the percentage of fertilization of the egg. You can lay eggs under a goose of a different breed. If this is not faster, it will make it much more efficient to increase the number of geese.

For breeding geese of this breed, you should follow the following tips:

  • Be sure to observe the thermal regime necessary for the living of geese.
  • Constant surveillance of the geese, you must look after them, and immediately attach the eggs that appear to the right place – an incubator or another goose. You can use another bird for this, for example, chickens will do.
  • Do not disrupt the incubation period by leaving eggs and goose alone.
  • Good lighting in the room, incubator.
  • Balanced groundbait for geese.
  • Special food for new chicks.

The weight of the chicks increases very quickly. Compared to their adult life, they gain more weight in the form of chicks. By 9 months, the weight will be 4 kg.

After birth, you will need to feed them often – 7 times a day. Only wet food should be given as feed. Chopped greens are perfect. This will continue for a month and a half. Then 3-4 meals a day will go, and smoothly transitions to the nutrition of adults.

From a week old, you can start taking the chicks outside, but only in warm weather, and not for long – 30 minutes. The time spent outside will increase with the age of the goslings. After a month, you can allow the chicks to the reservoir, but only in warm water – at least 17 degrees.

What to feed geese

Food should be varied and complete, properly composed, taking into account the age of the birds. Introduce vitamin and quality foods into the diet, because they will affect the general signs of the goose.

adult herd

The meal of the geese is divided into two times: morning and evening. In the morning, individuals eat much less than in the evening. Many of them prefer to feed on the pasture in the morning.

Cereal crops are the most suitable for nutrition. Among them are corn, wheat and others. Also, birds will happily appreciate vegetables, especially boiled ones.

The amount of food is not as important as its mineral richness, vitamin saturation. Pay attention to these indicators of food, because it affects the health of the goose, and the future taste of its meat.

Clean water should always be available for geese. The same important condition is the correct drinker, which must be selected taking into account the characteristics of this species. It is desirable that it be oblong (rectangular) in shape.

Toulouse geese

Goose

At first, after birth and subsequent weeks, goslings need to be fed 7 to 8 times a day. Food should be rich in vitamins and consist of feed specially prepared for goslings. With each new week, reduce food by 3-4 times.

Up to one month of age, you can feed wet cereals, wheat bran and boiled vegetables. Young growth will not refuse boiled eggs mixed with greens. After 40-50 days from birth, whole grains (corn, wheat) can be gradually added to food.

Every day, use greens in the diet – fresh or dried.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Toulouse breed

Most farmers love the breed for a lot of positive qualities. These include such as:

  • high growth rate;
  • weight gain;
  • quality of down and feathers;
  • fat stores;
  • a delicacy in the form of a liver;
  • precocity, especially geese with “purses”;
  • egg production – 40 eggs per year.

The described breed has the following disadvantages:

  • low survival rate of young birds;
  • high demands on temperatures;
  • high demands on food;
  • lack of mobility;
  • low egg fertility rate.

See the video below for an overview of the Toulouse geese breed:

Reviews

Olga, 54, farmer, Minsk. Geese are just amazing. I saw them not so long ago, and I thought that I could not help but take a few for myself. Then we, together with my Italian friends, went to France, having previously contacted them. I was not mistaken with the choice, I realized this when I learned more about the breed. As for fertility, it’s true – 50%. But this is nothing, since a goose sheds up to 60 eggs a year and it turns out that it will hatch somewhere around 30-35. I also learned that geese are fattened to get the foie gras dish. Emotions are positive. Konstantin, 31, economist, Kyiv. Goose breed from France. There are light ones and heavier ones. Ganders reach 12 kg, and geese 9 kg each. Geese do not incubate eggs, but the opposite is also true, despite the fact that the conditions of detention are close to natural.

Toulouse geese are an excellent choice for any farmer with more or less experience in these matters. The maintenance of Toulouse does not require special financial investments or too much attention.

You can bookmark this page

Anna Evans

Author-editor

View all posts by Anna Evans →