Cotton Patch goose is used for weeding the areas of corn, cotton, and other crops. The breed is also known by providing a source of meat, meat, and eggs, for helping many farmers.
The Cotton Patch goose is an American strain of national goose. It was originated from the Southern United States. The strain was utilized to weed field of cotton, corn and other crops, which is why it’s named accordingly. The exact origins of the breed are not very clear.
But it is thought the strain has descended from the inventory brought to the United States. It was stored on the rural homesteads up until the 1950s.
Cotton Patch Goose Characteristics
Cotton Patch goose is a medium-sized breed. It is similar in color to the Shetland goose and Pilgrim goose. With some dove feathers on the back and tail, the ganders are of white color.
Though the geese are entirely gray or pied gray and white (also called saddleback). The feet and bills of these birds are pink rather than orange. The strain is an upright goose with tail in line with back and wings, giving it a profile.
Body of the Cotton Patch goose is more elongated and less rounded than Shetland and Pilgrim strains.
The average live body weight of this older Cotton Patch ganders is between 4 and 5.5 kg. The average adult body weight of the geese varies from 3.6 to 4.5 kg.
The breed was used as a multipurpose poultry bird that produces eggs, meat, down and grease. Herbicides completely replaced the geese in America. And numbers and fame of the Cotton Patch goose declined.
It has mostly vanished from the American farms in which it was once more common. Currently, the breed is Regarded as seriously compromised from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The breed can also be contained at risk of extinction in Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste.
The Cotton Patch goose is an active and extremely hardy bird. It is especially well-adapted to the climate of the Southeastern United States. It contains flying ability and is heat tolerant.
The gender of these birds are easily identified by their color. The smaller size of these birds allows them to tolerate hot weather better than the more heavy goose breeds.
They have the ability to fly beyond their initial year clearing 5-6 foot fences.
Cotton Patch Goose Breed Information
| Breed Name | Cotton Patch |
| Other Name | Known by some other names locally |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, eggs, weeding, grease |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and active, well adapted to the climate of the southeastern United States, heat tolerant, good flying ability, excellent foragers, very good for extensive management system |
| Breed Class | Medium |
| Weight Ganders | 4 to 5.5 Kg |
| Geese | 3.6 to 4.5 Kg |
| Broodiness | Good |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Size | Large |
| Egg Productivity | Average |
| Flying Ability | Good |
| Varieties | Single |
| Rarity | Critically endangered |
| Country/Place of Origin | United States |
