Shetland

The Shetland is a small domestic goose originating from the Shetland Islands in the north of Scotland. It is amongst the lightest of goose breeds, and adult birds seldom exceed the weight of a medium farmyard duck by any considerable margin. Centuries of existence on exposed, low-input crofts have produced a thrifty bird that obtains the greater part of its nutrition from grass and rough grazing.

The breed is auto-sexing, meaning the sexes may be distinguished by feather colour once the goslings are well feathered. Adult ganders are white, whilst geese carry grey-and-white markings on the head, neck, back, and flanks. This characteristic renders the Shetland unusual amongst domestic geese and accounts in part for the esteem in which small-scale keepers hold it.

Shetlands are alert and watchful by disposition. They notice movement around the holding and call out accordingly, a quality that has long made them serviceable as low-cost watch birds alongside their grazing and breeding functions. They are independent and self-reliant rather than dependent on human company, and they withstand cold, wind, and wet conditions better than many larger breeds.

Who it suits

The Shetland is well suited to keepers who have grass available and wish for a goose that largely feeds itself. Its small size means it consumes less feed and is more easily handled than heavy breeds, a factor that recommends it to smallholders, conservation grazing projects, and those new to goose keeping. It is an unsuitable choice for anyone unable to provide daytime grazing, as the breed is fundamentally oriented towards foraging rather than supplementary bag feed.

The breed derives its name from the Shetland Islands, the northernmost territory of Scotland, where it has been maintained on crofts for a considerable period. The conditions prevailing there are demanding: thin soils, strong winds, prolonged winters, and little surplus grain. A goose capable of sustaining itself on grass and wild forage with minimal supplementary feed held evident value for island households.

Unlike many modern poultry breeds, the Shetland was not developed to a formal written standard by specialist improvers. It was shaped by practical use and by the rigours of the local environment. Birds that wintered successfully, foraged industriously, and raised goslings with little assistance were retained from season to season, and over generations this selection produced a small, hardy, thrifty type rather than a large meat goose.

The auto-sexing colour pattern, white ganders and grey-and-white geese, is a long-established feature of the breed. For crofters this was of practical benefit, as it permitted the sexes to be identified by visual inspection without handling individual birds, an advantage when organising breeding groups for the coming season.

Numbers declined as island agriculture changed and larger commercial breeds became prevalent, and the Shetland came to be recognised as a rare traditional breed. Conservation-minded keepers in Scotland and elsewhere have since worked to preserve it, valuing both its historical significance and its utility for grazing rough ground.

The Shetland is a small, well-proportioned goose with a compact body and an upright, alert carriage. It is built for hardiness rather than mass, with a rounded breast, a comparatively short neck for a goose, and close feathering that repels wind and rain effectively. The general impression is of a neat, active bird rather than a heavy table goose.

Colour is the most distinctive feature. Ganders are white throughout. Geese are grey and white, with grey colouring on the crown, neck, back, and flanks interspersed with white, permitting the two sexes to be distinguished by observation alone.

Plumage and colour

The defining characteristic is the sex-linked colour distinction. Adult ganders are uniformly white, whilst geese display grey markings over a white ground on the head, neck, saddle, and sides. Goslings may be sorted by down colour and early feather development, which forms the practical basis of the breed's auto-sexing reputation. Blue eyes and orange-pink bill and legs are consistent in both sexes and contribute to the breed's distinctive appearance.

The Shetland is an independent, self-reliant goose. It occupies the day grazing and ranging on its own and does not require close human attention. With its keepers it is generally calm and accustomed to routine, though it is not a tame bird and prefers to maintain a certain distance.

The breed is alert and watchful in character. Shetlands take notice of strangers, vehicles, and predators and call loudly in response, which is why they have long been maintained as inexpensive watch birds. Towards unfamiliar persons they tend to be cautious and vocal rather than aggressive, and a settled flock generally calms once it perceives no threat.

In mixed poultry situations the small Shetland is rarely domineering and may share grazing with ducks and chickens without difficulty, though ganders defend nesting geese during the breeding season and require adequate space at that time. Within the flock the birds are sociable and form strong pair bonds. They are diligent foragers, contented when grass is available, and inclined to noise and restlessness when confined without it.

The Shetland is amongst the easier geese to maintain, being small, hardy, and well adapted to caring for itself. Most attention is directed towards providing appropriate foraging conditions and protecting birds from predators rather than intensive daily management.

Grooming

• Geese groom themselves and require no clipping or trimming under ordinary conditions.
• Provide water of sufficient depth to submerge the head and bill so the bird may clean its eyes and nostrils.
• Examine feet and legs for cuts and signs of bumblefoot, particularly on hard or wet surfaces.
• Expect a heavy annual moult; keep the area clean and permit new feathers to grow undisturbed.

Exercise

• Daily access to grass for grazing and movement, which constitutes the breed's principal form of activity.
• Open ground for ranging; Shetlands cover considerable distances and are averse to close confinement.
• Access to water for bathing, which maintains plumage condition.

Environment

Shetlands tolerate cold, wind, and rain well on account of their close feathering, so a simple dry, draught-free, predator-proof house is adequate. The priority is secure shelter at night, as foxes and other predators represent the principal threat to a small goose. Shade and fresh water should be provided in warm weather, and fencing must keep the flock contained and exclude ground predators.

Grass forms the foundation of the Shetland's diet. The breed is amongst the most capable foragers of all goose breeds and, on good pasture during the growing season, can satisfy the greater part of its nutritional requirements from grazing alone. Supplementary feed becomes necessary in winter, during laying and breeding, and wherever grass is sparse or of poor quality. A poultry or waterfowl ration is appropriate; medicated chick feed is unsuitable for geese and feed containing certain coccidiostats may be harmful. Insoluble grit must be available at all times to assist birds in breaking down grass and grain.

Treats and supplements

Leafy greens, lettuce, and chopped vegetables are acceptable treats in moderation. Insoluble grit should be available at all times so birds may grind fibrous grass, and oyster shell or another soluble calcium source should be offered to laying geese to support eggshell quality. Treats should constitute a small portion of the diet so that grazing remains the principal source of nutrition.

The Shetland is a hardy, healthy breed with a notably long lifespan for poultry, commonly 12 to 20 years and occasionally longer with attentive care. Its self-feeding, weatherproof nature means it is less prone to conditions associated with overfeeding and confinement. Most health concerns are those affecting grazing waterfowl generally rather than deficiencies particular to the breed.

Preventive care

• Provide clean drinking and bathing water and replenish it regularly to reduce disease risk.
• Rotate grazing and maintain a regular worming and parasite-check schedule.
• Feed a balanced ration so goslings develop steadily and laying geese receive adequate calcium.
• Keep housing dry and well bedded to protect feet and joints.
• Observe the flock daily so problems are identified at an early stage.

The Shetland is suited to an outdoor, free-ranging existence on grass. The essential requirements are pasture for daytime grazing, a predator-proof house for overnight shelter, and access to clean water. As the breed withstands cold and wet conditions well, housing may be simple provided it is dry, adequately ventilated, and secure. The principal design consideration is the exclusion of foxes and other predators, since a small goose is particularly vulnerable after dark.

Setup checklist

• A locking, predator-proof house of sufficient size for the flock.
• Fenced grazing with rotation between areas wherever practicable.
• Clean drinking water and a pond, trough, or tub for bathing.
• Shade during warm periods and shelter from driving wind and rain.
• A dry, sheltered corner in which geese may nest during the breeding season.

Shetland geese are capable natural mothers, and many keepers allow a broody goose to sit and rear the goslings, an arrangement well suited to the breed's self-reliant character. Eggs may also be incubated artificially. Goose eggs are large and benefit from additional humidity and, in some circumstances, light misting and cooling to replicate the pattern of a sitting goose returning from the water. The incubation period is approximately 28 to 30 days, somewhat longer than for chicken eggs.

Hatching steps

1. Set clean, fertile eggs and label them with the date.
2. Maintain temperature and humidity at steady levels and turn the eggs several times daily.
3. Candle at approximately the first and second week to assess development and remove clear or dead eggs.
4. Cease turning a few days before the expected hatch date and raise humidity for hatching.
5. Leave goslings in the incubator until they are dry and fully fluffed, then transfer them to a warm, dry brooder with water and unmedicated starter feed.