Successfully Cooking GOOSE

The domestic goose was originally bred in ancient Egypt, China and India. They came across the Atlantic from Europe. Geese are not vegetarian and will eat slugs, snails, worms, mice, baby rats and hamsters if left alone with them. Their preferred food is wheat or whole barley but they will eat maize, thay also enjoy a varied diet if it is available. Life expectancy of a goose is about 20 years. Contrary to popular belief, they do not actually bite unless they are scared or provoked! Like humans, geese mate for life and will stay together during all seasons. Geese will only find a new mate if their mate dies or is killed.

Mother goose lays 1 egg approximately 1 to 2 days apart until she has a full clutch. The average number of eggs in a full clutch is 5. When she begins laying the eggs the "Father" goose will stand watch nearby, like a guard, but not so close as to give away the location of the nest to a predator. When a solitary goose is seen during nesting season a nest is somewhere in the vicinity.

Baby geese are called "goslings". A young Goose or Gosling may be of either sex and is very tender meat. A gosling weighs about 8 pounds; a young goose weighs 12 to 14 pounds. Mature Goose or Old Goose which may also be of either sex has toughened flesh. A mature goose is usually a spent breeder and its meat is used in processed products. A gander is a male goose.