Purebred Embden Goslings - Hatched 4/6/24

About Us:

Our family started with chicken over 4 years ago for personal use and have expanded our flocks over the years to include turkeys, geese and ducks. We registered our company Horsethief Homestead LLC. and became a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) NPIP/AI clean certified breeder/hatchery early 2023.

NPIP - Why its so Important

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was established in the early 1930's to provide a cooperative industry, state, and federal program through which new diagnostic technology can be effectively applied to the improvement of poultry and poultry products throughout the country. The development of the NPIP was initiated to eliminate Pullorum Disease caused by Salmonella Pullorum which was rampant in poultry and could cause upwards of 80% mortality in baby poultry. The program was later extended and refined to include testing and monitoring for Salmonella typhoid, Salmonella Enteritidis, Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, Mycoplasma Synoviae, Mycoplasma Meleagridis, and Avian Influenza. In addition, the NPIP currently includes commercial poultry, turkeys, waterfowl, exhibition poultry, backyard poultry, and game birds. The technical and management provisions of the NPIP have been developed jointly by Industry members and State and Federal officials. These criteria have established standards for the evaluation of poultry with respect to freedom from NPIP diseases.

In short NPIP/AI clean ensures your are getting healthy stock and shouldn't be hatching chicken with Avian Influenza or Poullorum Disease.

The majority of States requires exports (sellers) to be NPIP certified to sell poultry and poultry products (hatching eggs) across state lines. Non-NPIP sellers shipping eggs from online sales are breaking the law and you the importer can also be held liable if importing poulty or poultry products from an out of state non-NPIP seller.

* If purchasing eggs on ebay or from another site, always ask the seller to provide active NPIP certification information. NPIP certified breeders are proud of thier participation and will willingly provide this information.  If they can't provide it, don't order from them.

Find out more: https://www.poultryimprovement.org/
Map and list of participating breeders: https://www.poultryimprovement.org/statesContent.cfm

Embden Goose INTRO/History

Brought into the US in 1820, the Embden is one of the oldest domestic goose breeds. Embden geese are a pure white goose breed with an orange bill and orange shanks. They are the tallest goose breed at 3.3 ft, and are one of the largest geese along with the Toulouse goose. Embden geese have smaller heads than other breeds because they lack the knob on the forehead Embden geese are good foragers, mature early, and dress out nicely because of their white plumage. They are the most popular goose for eating, and have a savory balance of minerals coated the palette and a herbaceous, nutty, and buttery aftertaste.
Here are some other characteristics of Embden geese:

• They have a hard, lean body
• They have a long, thick neck
• They have a large oval head
• They have blue eyes
• They have orange beaks and feet
• They have an average lifespan of 20 years
• Adult males weigh on average 14 kg, and adult females weigh on average 9 kg
• They lay 10 to 30 white eggs per year
• They have a low flying ability
  Embden geese are sometimes referred to as Bremen geese. They are thought to originate from Germany, and are believed to go back to the thirteenth century.

  Quick Stats

  
  

  Purpose and Type	Primary Production, Egg Laying, & Pet/Secondary meat source
  Weights	Hen 18 lbs	Gander 28 lbs
  Egg Shell Color	White
  Egg Size	Jumbo
  Egg Production	10-30 per year (estimate only)
  Temperment	Docile
  Country of Origin	Germany