Crofters have used the Shetland goose breed to pasture. It had been used to rid the bud of parasites, like the liver fluke for preparing it for grazing from sheep. They are used for meat production.
The Shetland goose can easily be recognized by their appearances, such as a few other sea strains such as Cotton Patch and Pilgrim breed.
The Shetland is a breed of goose. It was originated from the Shetland Island in Scotland. It’s modest in stature. Crofters have used the strain to pastures. And this has been done to rid parasites, like the liver fluke’s bud, to prepare for grazing.
Shetland Goose Characteristics
The Shetland geese have a head, neck and upper torso with an underbody along with highlights. Even though the ganders have white plumage. The birds have an invoice mainly to forage.

Their eyes are blue, and the throat is white with varying quantities of plumage. The stomach is flat with a paunch that is single-lobed. The wings are strong, allowing the capability of flight, and on a few farms, it could be necessary to clip on the feathers of one wing to maintain them.
The typical bodyweight of the Shetland geese is about 5 kg. Along with the ganders on weight approximately 6 kg.
The Shetland goose is birds that are hardy. They are excellent to have the ability to sustain themselves, and foragers.
The birds are parents and mate for life. The geese on typical lay about 30 eggs each year. The strain is a good converter of grass into meat, and on blossom that isn’t usual for the goose, they will forage at the Northern Islands.
It’s also suitable as a shield that is fantastic. The strain is great for meat production, and grow faster. A number of other instincts are retained by them, and also will float throughout the seasons, and band together to ward off predators.
Goose has been listed as being retained on Shetland from as early as the 17th century, even though it isn’t sure they’re the descendants of the strains.
And as with many of the sea strains, the Shetland goose was significant to farms and cottagers for supplying a reliable and cheap supply of meat.
The strain was exported into the United States first. It’s not understood by the American Poultry Association in it is Standard of Perfection.
Presently the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is studying the strain.
Shetland Goose Breed Information
Breed Name | Shetland |
Other Name | None |
Breed Purpose | Meat, Weeding |
Special Notes | Very hardy, exceptionally good foragers, are able to largely sustain themselves through grazing, good convert ratio of grass to meat, good guard goose, grow relatively faster, good for meat production |
Breed Class | Medium |
Weight Ganders | Around 6 Kg |
Geese | Around 5 Kg |
Broodiness | Average |
Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
Egg Color | White |
Egg Size | Large |
Egg Productivity | Around 30 eggs per year |
Flying Ability | Good |
Varieties | Single |
Rarity | Critical |
Country/Place of Origin | United Kingdom |