All About Sebastopol Geese
From the moment I set eyes on Sebastopol geese via Instagram, I knew I wanted them in my life. As a proud Leo, I love all things extra and a goose with long, curly feathers is as extra as they come. I was so excited last March when I picked up my breeding pair of goslings, Tammy and George, and brought them to the farm. If you follow me on Instagram then you likely see a lot of my geese — they are very curious and friendly! I get asked about them a lot so I thought I’d share what I have learned about their breed.
Origins and History: The story of Sebastopol geese traces back to the 19th century in the United States, where they were selectively bred from the European Graylag goose. Named after the city of Sebastopol in Crimea, these geese were prized for their ornamental value and soon gained popularity among breeders.
Distinctive Appearance: What sets Sebastopol geese apart is their fancy plumage—a cascade of soft, curly feathers that give them a cloud-like appearance. Some people say they look like they are wearing a wedding dress. Unlike traditional geese with smooth feathers, Sebastopols have curly or frizzled feathers that grow in ringlets. This unique trait is beautiful to look at but it also makes it so that Sebastopol geese cannot fly!
George and Tammy at 6 months old
Temperament and Behavior: As far as geese go, Sebastopols are known for their relatively docile and sociable nature. Of course, during mating season all bets are off, but in general they are calm and friendly. They are known to form strong bonds with their human caretakers, often following them around. This has been very true for me with Tammy and George, although I also carried them around in a fanny pack for the first month of their lives. They thrive in outdoor environments with access to water for swimming and grass for grazing.
Caring for Sebastopol Geese: Providing proper care for Sebastopol geese is relatively straightforward. I supplement their diet with duck feed daily. They require access to clean water for bathing and drinking, as well as shelter from extreme weather conditions. Their feathers don’t provide much insulation so they are a little more sensitive to cold and wet weather than other geese. Additionally, regular grooming may be necessary to prevent their curly feathers from becoming matted or tangled. Tammy was almost strangled a few months ago because one of her curly, long feathers became wrapped around her neck.
Sebastopol geese are so incredibly beautiful and make great companions. Two things to consider when deciding to bring Sebastopol geese to your farm are: they poop A LOT and they can live to be 30 years old!
