View source for Biology:Pilgrim goose

{{Short description|Breed of goose}}
{{infobox poultry breed
| name          = Pilgrim Goose
| image         = Pilgrimgeese.jpg
| image_size    =
| alt           =
| image_caption = A small flock of Pilgrim geese
| status        = Critically Endangered (ALBC)
| altname       = Settler Goose 
| country       = America 
| distribution  =UK, America, {{wipe|Australia}} 
| standard      = 
| use           = Commercial (eggs and meat) 
| apa           = Medium goose 
| maleweight    = 6.3 – 8.2 kg
| femaleweight  = 5.4 – 7.3 kg
| skincolour    = Male: White<br />Female: Olive-grey
| eggcolour      = White
| type          = [[Biology:Goose|Goose]]
| latin         = Anser anser
}}

'''Pilgrim geese''' ('''Australian Settler geese''' in Australia<ref>Australian Poultry Standards, 2nd Edition, Published 2013 Victorian Poultry Breeders Association Ltd trading as Poultry Poultry Stud Breeders and Exhibitions Victoria</ref>) is a breed of domestic goose. They are considered to be a relatively quiet, lightweight and medium-sized breed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Pilgrim Geese {{!}} Beauty of Birds|url=https://www.beautyofbirds.com/pilgrimgeese.html|access-date=2020-10-31|website=www.beautyofbirds.com}}</ref> The pilgrim goose is a rare and critically endangered species according to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) and was officially entered into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1939.<ref name=":0" /> Generally, they can live for 15 to 25 years.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Pilgrim|url=https://www.rbst.org.uk/pilgrim|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Rare Breeds Survival Trust|language=en}}</ref> In most breeds of geese, males and females are indistinguishable from one another; however, the pilgrim goose is well known for its auto-sexing trait. Males are characterised by white feathers while the females have grey.<ref name=":0" /> This [[Biology:Sexual dimorphism|sexual dimorphism]] makes pilgrim geese desirable for breeding as the sexes are easily determined.<ref name=":0" /> Their commercial use is primarily limited to the {{wipe|United States}} where they are bred for eggs and meat.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2016-12-24|title=Pilgrim Goose: Characteristics, Origin & Breed Information|url=https://www.roysfarm.com/pilgrim-goose/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=ROYS FARM|language=en-US}}</ref> They are known to grow relatively fast<ref name=":2" /> and are easy to handle.<ref name=":1" />

==History/Origin==
The exact origin of the pilgrim goose is unclear.<ref name=":0" /> According to Robert O. Hawes, there were numerous references to auto-sexing geese in colonial America, {{wipe|England}} and [[Place:Normandy|Normandy (France)]], although they were never explicitly named.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=The Livestock Conservancy|url=https://livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/pilgrim|access-date=2020-10-31|website=livestockconservancy.org}}</ref> It is believed that pilgrim geese were descendants from European stock and exported to America by pilgrims, hence the name.<ref name=":0" /> However, Oscar Grow (a renowned waterfowl expert in the 1900s) contended that he developed the species in America in the 1930s during the [[Finance:Great Depression|Great Depression]] and that the breed's name was given by his wife in recognition of the family's pilgrimage from Iowa to Missouri.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-03-14|title=Breed Profile: Pilgrim Geese|url=https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/pilgrim-geese-breed-spotlight/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Backyard Poultry|language=en-US}}</ref> According to Dave Holderread, an experienced breeder and author in the field of waterfowl, there were likely small populations of auto-sexing geese in various locations throughout the world.<ref name=":3" />

The first official documentation of the pilgrim goose was in 1935.<ref name=":0" /> In 1939, it was recognised in the America Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection<ref name=":0" /> and was later standardised in the UK in 1982.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Pilgrim Geese|url=https://poultrykeeper.com/goose-breeds/pilgrim-geese/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=poultrykeeper.com|date=6 March 2015 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In Australia, the breed was named Settler goose by Andreas Stoll in 1984.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Pictures of Pilgrim and Normandy Geese - breed info on auto-sexing waterfowl|url=https://ashtonwaterfowl.net/pilgrim_geese.htm|access-date=2020-10-31|website=ashtonwaterfowl.net}}</ref> In 1999, it was admitted into the Poultry Clubs standard.<ref name=":1" />

==Description==
Pilgrim geese are a medium-sized and medium weight breed.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The ganders can weigh between 6.3 and 8.2&nbsp;kg (14 and 18&nbsp;lb) while the females weigh between 5.4 and 7.3&nbsp;kg (12 and 16&nbsp;lb).<ref name=":5" /> They have plump bodies with a smooth chest that is keelless (lacking a visible breastbone) and two rounded fatty lobes located on their abdomen.<ref name=":0" /> The head of a pilgrim goose is medium-sized and oval shaped,<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/646851612|title=British poultry standards : complete specifications and judging points of all standardized breeds and varieties of poultry as compiled by the specialist breed clubs and recognised by the Poultry Club of Great Britain|date=2008|publisher=Blackwell Pub|others=Roberts, Victoria.|isbn=978-1-4443-0938-6|edition=6th|location=Oxford|oclc=646851612}}</ref> with a flattened crown (top of the head).<ref name=":0" /> Their necks are average in both length and thickness<ref name=":0" /> and have a slightly arched form.<ref name=":7" /> They also have a medium length beak which is straight and smoothly attached to the head.<ref name=":7" /> Both adult male and female pilgrim geese have webbed toes, short shanks and a knobless bill that are entirely orange in colour.<ref name=":7" /> They have a medium length tail which is found closely folded, while the wings are strong and found flush to the body.<ref name=":7" /> Both the ganders and geese have plumage that is hard and tight as well as relatively large eyes.<ref name=":7" /> However, the colour of their eyes and plumage differ between the two genders and are therefore the major features associated with their auto-sexing characteristic.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Male pilgrim goose.jpg|thumb|Male pilgrim goose with signature white plumage and blue eyes]]

==Sexual dimorphism==
[[File:Pilgrim Goose. (14382453858).jpg|thumb|Female pilgrim goose with signature olive-grey plumage and white 'spectacles']]Pilgrim geese are renowned for their sexual dimorphism whereby the males and females are distinguishable by colour (particularly in terms of plumage, bill and eye colour).<ref name=":0" /> This is considered a rare condition among domestic birds.<ref name=":9" /> There are only four other auto-sexing breeds of geese: the West of England (Old English), the Choctaw (Cotton Patch), the [[Biology:Shetland goose|Shetland]] and the Normandy goose.<ref name=":0" />

In new-borns, the gender of a pilgrim goose is most easily identified according to bill colour,<ref name=":6" /> whilst the plumage colour distinctions become more apparent as the geese grow older.<ref name=":4" /> Male goslings have a silvery, light yellow fur<ref name=":0" /> and a light coloured bill akin to an [[Biology:Emden goose|Embden]] gosling.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Pilgrim Geese|url=https://duckopolis.com/pages/pilgrim-geese|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Duckopolis}}</ref> By 12–14 days old, the males are distinctly white coloured.<ref name=":6" /> Female goslings have deep greyish-green fur and a dark coloured bill similar to [[Biology:Toulouse goose|Toulouse]] goslings.<ref name=":8" />

Adult male pilgrim geese are identified by a creamy white plumage (some may also have some grey markings on the rump, wings and tail) and blue eyes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite journal|last=QUINN|first=JOSEPH P.|title=Sexual Dimorphism in Down and Adult Plumage of the Pilgrim Goose |date=February 1939|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a104671|journal=Journal of Heredity|volume=30|issue=2|pages=55–57|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a104671|issn=1465-7333}}</ref> Meanwhile, adult females have a mostly olive-grey plumage which is relatively lighter in comparison to the [[Biology:Toulouse goose|Toulouse]] and [[Biology:Pomeranian goose|Pomeranian]] geese breeds.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> The females’ faces may also have traces of white starting from the beak and encircling the eyes, forming spectacles around them.<ref name=":4" />

In the 1930s, there was a movement by the Society of the Pilgrim Goose to attempt to restore the popularity of sexually dimorphic geese in the United States.<ref name=":9" /> And, since pilgrim geese were the earliest known sexually dimorphic domestic geese in the United States, they were selected for breeding.<ref name=":9" />

==Behaviour ==
Pilgrim geese are renowned for their docile and friendly temperament.<ref name=":0" /> They have a calm, personable and quiet disposition,<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Poultry Breeds - Pilgrim Geese — Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science|url=http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/poultry/geese/pilgrim/index.html/|access-date=2020-10-31|website=afs.okstate.edu}}</ref> which makes them less aggressive in comparison to other breeds.<ref name=":0" /> Furthermore, they have a curious personality and a great sense of awareness of their surrounding environment<ref name=":4" /> due to their strong vision.<ref name=":0" /> This ultimately makes them a great sentinel bird as they will often alert owners of new activity such as intrusions<ref name=":0" /> or when someone or something arrives.<ref name=":4" />

Furthermore, they are useful for weed control as they have a natural tendency to keep the weeds down by feeding on them.<ref name=":0" /> While doing so, their droppings will act as fertiliser for the pasture as their manure is environmentally friendly and free of chemicals.<ref name=":4" />

Pilgrim geese also have strong parenting qualities and are good caretakers of their young.<ref name=":0" /> However, this often triggers a more protective behaviour (in contrast to their typically peaceful demeanour) during [[Biology:Seasonal breeder|breeding season]] as they become defensive of their young.<ref name=":0" /> In particular, ganders may exhibit hissing or “honking” behaviours towards humans upon approaching their nest.<ref name=":0" />

Pilgrim geese are also unique for their relatively strong flying abilities in comparison to other domesticated geese breeds.<ref name=":9" />

==Feeding==
Pilgrim geese are considered strong foragers with a relatively expansive diet.<ref name=":0" /> Specifically, plant material constitutes a large portion of their diet as they graze in pastures, orchards and yards as well as feed on dandelions and weeds.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /> Furthermore, they will also feed on larvae and pupae (which can be found beneath rocks), aquatic animals, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs.<ref name=":0" />

==Breeding/Reproduction==
Pilgrim goose can grow 10 pounds in about 10 weeks, which makes them a relatively fast growing breed.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":10" /> A male pilgrim goose typically mates with 3 to 5 geese at a time.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /> In most instances, the ganders will not begin mating with the females until they start showing signs of egg production.<ref name=":4" /> Furthermore, even at just one year old, pilgrim geese will begin to lay and raise their own hatchlings.<ref name=":1" /> Generally, healthy geese will lay between 35 and 45 eggs annually.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Their breeding season starts in late January or February and ends around June.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> During this period, they tend to exhibit protective behaviours.<ref name=":5" /> Peak production begins in the first week of April and is maintained until late May.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last1=Merritt|first1=E.S.|last2=Gowe|first2=R.S.|date=July 1956|title=Studies on the Reproductive Performance of a Trap-Nested Flock of Pilgrim Geese|journal=Poultry Science|volume=35|issue=4|pages=772–783|doi=10.3382/ps.0350772|issn=0032-5791|doi-access=free}}</ref> While pilgrim geese are spring layers, studies have also shown that artificial lights can be used to trigger egg production several weeks earlier than normal.<ref name=":12" /> The eggs are white and large,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> and weigh approximately 6 to 7 ounces.<ref name=":0" /> The eggs have a relatively low fertility rate, with only about 50% of them hatching.<ref name=":0" /> The females usually set on 8 to 10 eggs at a time and hatching will begin after approximately 30 days.<ref name=":4" />

According to Holderread, selection of pilgrim geese for breeding stock should favour those with broad backs and breast that are keelless as this indicates they are purebred.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=About the Breed|url=http://www.pilgrimgeese.org.uk/about-the-breed.html|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Pilgrim Geese}}</ref> Meanwhile, birds with a knob, long necks and legs and shallow breasts should be avoided as these features suggest [[Biology:Crossbreed|crossbreed]]ing.<ref name=":11" /> Trap nests are often used in breeding to confine the female within the nest in order to determine individual egg production. Originally, trap nests were used for breeding of [[Biology:Chicken|chicken]]s, however, in 1950 it was reported that geese could also be successfully bred in trap nests.<ref name=":12" />

In response to the growing interest of geese as a meat animal in the United States, a breeding project was initiated in 1951 to investigate the breeding techniques associated with increasing the reproductive ability of geese.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite journal|date=September 1954|title=Abstracts of Papers Presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association|journal=Poultry Science|volume=33|issue=5|pages=1038–1090|doi=10.3382/ps.0331038|issn=0032-5791|doi-access=free}}</ref> According to the researchers of the study, there were no previous experimental studies documenting breeding techniques on a commercial basis.<ref name=":12" /> Hence, this study was conducted to obtain records for egg production, fertility and hatchability.<ref name=":12" /> The study started in the spring of 1950 with 2 male and 4 female pilgrim geese which were mated together in two breeding pens.<ref name=":13" /> The geese were bred progressively for 5 years and by 1954, there were 16 breeding pens each with 1 gander and 5 females.<ref name=":13" /> All the geese were trap-nested 7 days a week for the duration of the laying season.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /> After 3 years of selection, the average egg production increased from 14 to 28.<ref name=":12" /> Furthermore, the highest producing goose in 1951 laid 38 eggs whereas the highest producing goose in 1952 laid 44 eggs and in 1953 laid 59 eggs.<ref name=":12" /> Improvements in fertility and hatchability were also recorded as all eggs laid were incubated.<ref name=":12" /> The fertility rate in 1951 was 66% and increased to 71% in 1952 and 74% in 1953.<ref name=":12" /> The hatchability rate of fertile eggs in 1951 was 71% and increased to 77% in 1953.<ref name=":12" /> Notably, fertility was found to decline towards the end of the breeding season whereas hatchability remained stabled throughout.<ref name=":12" /> Finally, the rearing mortality (between birth to 16 weeks old) decreased between 1951 and 1953 from 11% to 4%.<ref name=":12" /> In terms of the relationship between age and breeding, the study showed that pilgrim geese tend to lay more eggs in their second, third and fourth years compared to their first year.<ref name=":12" /> The size of the eggs increase by about 25% between the first and second years.<ref name=":12" /> However, eggs laid by younger females had a lower hatchability rate of 68% compared to older females with a hatchability rate of 87%.<ref name=":12" />

==See also==
*List of goose breeds

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/Geese/BRKPilgrims.html Pilgrim Geese]


[[Category:Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist]]

{{Sourceattribution|Pilgrim goose}}