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White
Geese: Czech
- Bohemian - Roman
Roman
geese have never been that popular in UK
show pens. They are just small white geese. They are not as interesting
in colour as Buff or Pied geese. And what indeed makes a Roman? Is every
small white goose a Roman – such as the feral birds which can be found
‘dumped’ on various lakes?
Central European breeders seem to have grasped this nettle. In Bohemia,
a special small white goose was developed from the local white goose
stock. Named the Czech (Tschechische) goose, it is immediately apparent
that it is different. Weighing only 4–5 kg, these little geese are the
‘Call ducks’ of the goose world. Egg production can average 45 eggs
with an egg weight of 140g. Small, chatty and with chubby cheeks these
birds have instant appeal and have now become so popular that they were
included in the UK Waterfowl Standards of 2008. Developed
in the 1950s, breeders chose a small white goose which could fend for
itself on mainly grass, and provide a good meal for the table. The
breast is rounded, and the abdomen carried clear of the ground on short,
strong legs. A feature of the goose is its short, fairly thick neck with
pronounced feather partings. The geese are busy little birds which do
talk to themselves. Goose breeders have found them good sitters, and woe
betide anyone who interferes with their brood! They are very defensive
parents if they are near other birds. As garden birds they are
sweet-natured geese. We now have some for sale 2011.
Rather
confusingly, the ‘Czech’ goose standardized in
Germany
has now been re-named as Bohemian (2009). The birds typical
of
the Czech Republic have retained the Czech name. They are also small white geese, a
little longer in the body and shorter in the leg than the German strain.
Below:
'Czech' geese at a German show, 2009
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