Steinbacher gås

The Steinbacher is a descendant of the fighting goose and it is thought that as with the Russian fighting goose, there are signs of Chinese cross breeding. The western domesticated goose is always descended from the Greylag (Anser anser) while Chinese geese originate from the Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides) and the resultant cross breeds are strikingly similar to the Steinbacher. It came to the UK via Thuringer in the 1980s. It is a striking bird for exhibition purposes with its tight blue-grey plumage and muscular body.

Appearance
As you would expect this is a proud breed, very strong and muscular and standing erect. It comes in two colours, Blue and Grey. The stocky legs are bright orange and the dark brown eyes have a narrow yellow ring around them. Despite the possibility of it being a cross bred there should be no sign of a knob – or a dew lap.

It is a light breed.

Although some exhibitors are very keen breeders, there are not that many of this breed to be found. It's worth sourcing some quality stock if you are intending to breed.