Öland goose
All domestic geese (Anser anser domesticus) are descended from the wild gray goose. In Scandinavia, geese have been kept for around 3,000 years and were our earliest domesticated birds.
Two Swedish goose breeds left
In the past, there were several different breeds of geese that were adapted to different parts of Sweden. Of these old breeds, only the Öland goose and the Scania goose remain. They are similar, but the Öland goose is smaller and lighter and, unlike the Scania goose, can often fly. The Öland Goose is hardy and does well on lean pasture and they can also eat small bugs.
Small and spirited goose
The Öland goose is a relatively small landrace goose that is nimble and active. They are mainly white with gray-brown areas on the head, neck, back and thighs. Their tails are also partly brownish gray. Wing feathers are usually completely white. It's good at foraging. The geese graze on land but need access to a body of water where they swim, wash and mate. They can be kept outdoors all year round as long as they have a dry and protected place for shelter.
The goose was used for many things
The goose provided meat, down and eggs, but also fat. In the past, the fat was also used for medicinal purposes and was highly sought after. The feathers of the goose were used as fletching for arrows, and the quills were used for writing, but also for poking holes in the black powder bag when guns were to be fired. The geese also quickly learned who the homeowners were, and acted as watchdogs when outsiders approached.
Intelligent and long-lived
Geese are intelligent animals that are capable of learning. They live in lifelong relationships where the male often has several females. The female incubates the eggs and the Öland geese are good at looking after their young, something that can't be said of all domestic geese. If a goose is healthy, it can live for decades.
Quick facts
Food: Grasses, crops, seeds, bugs
Weight: 4–5.5 kg
Young: 20–30 eggs per year
Lifespan: Usually 10–15 years
The Öland goose – a critically endangered landrace
Saved at the last moment
In the 19th century, there were plenty of Öland geese on the island of Öland, and in the counties of Småland and northern Skåne. After that, their numbers declined and by the mid-20th century the breed was thought to be extinct. In the 1970s, however, a small number of Öland geese were discovered, and all living Öland geese today are descended from these. The number of geese decreased because more productive breeds of domestic animals became popular. Today there are only a little more than 100 animals of the Öland goose breed left.
Traits are preserved
The fact that the Öland goose still exist today is largely due to the dedicated conservation efforts of livestock keepers. The survival of the breed and its traits is thanks to a gene bank. Animals without a gene bank certificate may not be used for breeding. The animals in Slottsskogen are all part of this gene bank.
Why is it important to preserve different breeds?
The more diverse breeds with different traits we have, the better equipped we are to face changes and challenges in the future. This reduces the risk of harms such as the spread of diseases or eradications due to environmental changes.
Does a disappeared breed make any difference? No one knows for sure. However, we know for sure that having a varied and diverse range of species is necessary for a stable ecosystem. And stable ecosystems are in turn necessary for a sustainable future.