Shetland goose facts for kids
The Shetland goose is a special type of goose. It comes from the Shetland Islands in Scotland. These geese are not very big. They usually weigh about 12 to 14 pounds (5 to 6 kilograms). Shetland geese are very tough. They are also great at finding their own food. They can mostly feed themselves by eating grass.
A Look Back: History of Shetland Geese
For a long time, people called crofters used Shetland geese. These geese would eat grass in fields. This helped clean the fields. They would get rid of tiny creatures called parasites. This made the grass safe for sheep to eat later.
What Makes Them Special: Characteristics
Shetland geese have a cool feature. You can tell if they are male or female right after they hatch! This is called auto-sexing. It means they look different from birth.
- Ganders (male geese) are completely white.
- Geese (female geese) have gray on their head, neck, and upper body. Their underbody is white.
Shetland geese often stay with the same partner for their whole lives. They are also very good parents. A female Shetland goose lays about 30 white eggs each year. Their bills (beaks) are shorter. This helps them find food easily by grazing.
Shetland Geese in North America
Shetland geese first came to the United States in 1997. A farm in New York State brought them over. The American Poultry Association has not yet officially recognized this breed. This means they are not in the "Standard of Perfection" book. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is studying them. They want to make sure there are enough Shetland geese in North America. This helps keep the breed healthy and diverse.
