Roman Tufted Goose

Looks how to spot one

feathers

A small, compact and plump goose with a short body, fine bones and a well-fleshed carcass. The most distinctive feature is a cylindrical tuft of feathers on the crown, starting level with the back of the eyes and sloping backward. The neck is moderately long and slightly arched, the back is medium in width and about twice as long as it is broad, and the breast is full and rounded. The paunch is dual-lobed and held tight to the body.26

Personality what they are like

Tufted Roman geese are generally friendly, curious and docile, becoming easily attached to their human carers. They are vocal and alert, making excellent watch geese, but are not overly aggressive. During the breeding season, the gander may become more protective. They get along well with other poultry and livestock.521

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They need space to roam and forage daily. A secure, grassy area or pasture is ideal as they are active foragers. They also require access to clean water for bathing and drinking.25

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide bathing water so they can keep themselves clean. Keep their living quarters dry and mud-free to prevent stained plumage. For show birds, regular access to clean water is usually sufficient to maintain feather condition.2

Home where they are happiest

A secure, predator-proof enclosure with shelter from extreme weather. They need a grassy area for foraging and a shallow pond or tub for bathing. Fencing should be adequate to contain these small geese. They are hardy but require dry, clean bedding.25

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A balanced diet of poultry feed (goose or waterfowl pellets) supplemented with fresh greens, grass and kitchen scraps. They are excellent foragers and will graze on grass and weeds. Always provide fresh, clean water.25

Company who they like around

They are social birds and should be kept in at least a pair or small flock. A single gander can cover two to four females. They get along well with other geese and poultry. Their vocal nature makes them good guard birds.25

The story where it all began

The Tufted Roman goose is a variety of the ancient Roman goose, one of the oldest domestic goose breeds, with a history stretching back over 2,000 years to Italy. Small white geese were kept in ancient Rome and were considered sacred to the goddess Juno. According to legend, their honking alerted the Romans to a night attack by the Gauls in the 4th century BC, saving the city. The non-tufted Roman goose spread across Europe with the Roman armies. The tufted mutation appeared in the breed by the early 1900s. The Tufted Roman was standardised in the USA in 1977 and in the UK in 1954. It is primarily kept for exhibition in North America, while in Europe and Australia it is also used for meat and eggs.216

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association (APA)

Admitted to the Standard of Perfection in 1977, Light Goose class, white only2

British Poultry Standard

Entered in 1954, both tufted and non-tufted can be shown in the UK7