GRAY AFRICAN GEESE.
History.—Gray African geese ([fig. 31]) are by many raisers considered the most profitable of all geese to keep. They grow the heaviest in the shortest space of time, and are ready for market in ten weeks, weighing at that age between 8 and 10 pounds. They are very much like the Pekin duck in this respect, and as compared with other geese give the most satisfactory returns for the least labor and time spent in growing them. They are, according to standard weights, as heavy as the Toulouse and Embden, but specimens are not uncommon that exceed these weights by several pounds. They are first-class layers and average about 40 eggs in a season. This is considered as a low estimate for their egg production. For table purposes they are esteemed very highly, their flesh being fine and nicely flavored.
Fig. 30.—Pair of White Embden geese.
Description.—These geese have a large head, with a large knob, and a heavy dewlap under the throat. These and the Chinese geese are different from the others in the head, and are the only two breeds that have the knob on the head. The bill of the African is rather large and stout at the base, and their necks are long. Their backs are long and flat, breasts round and moderately full, and they have large, long, and upright bodies. The wings are large and strong, and are folded well against the body; the thighs are short and stout, and shanks of medium length. The knob is black and the dewlap of a gray color, while the plumage of the neck is light gray with a dark stripe running from the head to the body. The back is dark gray, the plumage of the breast is gray, and the underpart of body is light gray. The wings and tail are dark gray, and the thighs are light gray. The eyes are hazel or brown; bill, black; shanks, toes, and web are of dark-orange color.
Weight.—The standard weight of the adult gander is 20 pounds; adult goose, 18 pounds; young gander, 10 pounds, and young goose, 14 pounds.
