Creating the White Toulouse - Silly Goose Sweatshirt

Developing the Camden White Toulouse

Australian account on Camden White Toulouse – Michael Peel’s breeding strategy insights. Michael Peel often quotes “we nurture the birds we cherish AND hold a deep affection for the birds we breed.” Michael adores waterfowl, particularly geese, and has been caring for them since his early years in Kellyville, situated in the Sydney hills region. Proximity to Hawkesbury Agricultural College, less than 20km away, enabled Michael to obtain top-notch geese that formed the foundation of his flocks.

Upon arrival at Peel Ridge, you cannot miss the naturally favorable position of the farm and its design. Waterfowl holds a special place in Michael’s heart, evident in his arrangement of pens to ensure a continuous supply of fresh water. The water ponds and troughs are gravity-fed from a sizable tank automatically filled with water from the Nepean River. Even the used water is managed, with a large concrete tank used to collect and irrigate it back into the pasture.

The farm bears a simple layout. Instead of grand driveways, white picket fences, or ornate houses, investments have been made in Michael’s true passion – his waterfowl. The fencing is fox-proof, the water sources and housing are strategically placed to serve and safeguard the waterfowl.

A look around the farm reveals a variety of waterfowl. Ducks and geese of different breeds populate the area, with prominent and colorful Rouen ducks stealing the show. Michael has made it a priority to uphold the finest quality of stock, sparing no expense or effort in their breeding.

At the heart of what Michael fondly calls the Bar’n’Grill is a water feature specifically constructed for the waterfowl. As we sat under the verandah, a majestic flock of Camden White Toulouse geese glided in. Their sheer size and excellence are a sight to behold, serving as tangible evidence of the success achievable through deliberate breeding using top-quality stock.

What’s the reason behind this narrative?

Some confusion has surfaced regarding the origin and timeline of the White Toulouse geese. To shed light on this, I conversed with Michael Peel to gather his perspective on the inception of the White Toulouse breed.

When was the Australian White Toulouse first established?

Numerous discussions have unfolded across various Australian Facebook poultry groups. Two primary theories surrounding the maiden display of Australian White Toulouse emerged:

Theory 1
The initial hypothesis suggests that the Australian White Toulouse might have made its debut in 2008 at the National Poultry Show by Grahame Webb. This claim surfaced in the Exhibition Poultry Facebook group in 2016, leading to an interview conducted by Cathy Newton with one of the individuals mentioned in the discussion. Following a conversation with Graham Webb, here’s his response:

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Theory 2

The alternative viewpoint comes from Michael Peel, who stated: ‘I never felt compelled to formally document the birds’ history and their initial exhibition. Particularly with a novel breed, as the general public seldom expresses interest until a breed qualifies for Poultry Standards. Given the extensive discourse on this matter, recalling those details required some retrospective contemplation.

I contacted the RAS to inquire about any records pertaining to my first display of the Australian White Toulouse at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. They uncovered a photo (shown below) from the Animal Nursery dating back to 1992. While I may have entered them earlier in different variety or color categories, this photograph remains the sole dated evidence I have found.’

Interpret this as you wish, but as of now, 1992 appears to be the earliest recorded exhibition date.

The Evolution Process

In response to the genesis of the Camden White Toulouse, Michael expressed, “It has been a journey fueled by passion, with the breed silently developing in the background since the late 80s. While my Grey Toulouse achieved exhibition status and the White Chinese enjoyed high demand, the endeavor to amalgamate the best traits of my White Embdens and Exhibition Grey Toulouse into a Toulouse breed began.”

Initial crosses birthed blue (splash) geese at a tender age, exhibiting a striking contrast to the prevailing white and grey palettes. However, as these goslings matured, their plumage transitioned from blue (splash) to white.

Michael persisted in his efforts, aiming for the retention of the blue (splash) coloring. Regrettably, the blue (splash) feature did not persist, leading to a surge in numbers and refinement of the White Toulouse breed with each successive generation. Regardless of his diversion to other projects, upon revisiting the core breeding initiative, the whites consistently improved.

Michael Peel had the privilege of supplying birds for the central exhibit at the Sydney Royal Easter Show from its inception in the 1960s, and to this day, he continues to provide a variety of birds. The iconic image of Michael’s weathered white Datsun ute, laden with geese and ducks beneath the canopy, remains etched in memory.

Patience in Breeding

Michael embarked on this endeavor in the early 1960s, constantly striving to enhance his breeds. Several breeding projects paved the way for varied breed iterations. By the early 70s, Michael’s efforts led to the inception of White Chinese geese, met with wide acclaim as a triumph. However, this success wasn’t immediate.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, Michael’s fervor for premium geese blossomed, hatching 1500 to 2000 goslings annually. This robust breeding program provided Michael with the necessary stock levels to refine and enhance all goose breeds effectively. Such was Michael’s success that the King of Tonga sought to import Peel Ridge’s White Embdens after his visit to Michael’s farm. To this day, these geese roam the noble grounds under regal safeguard.

So, how extensive was the process? “Thankfully, my experience developing White Chinese geese in the 1970s proved invaluable. I constructed the white Chinese breed because”

While exploring the field of breeding for the meat industry, a desire arose to enhance the laying goose variety. The initial approach involved blending the Embden with the Brown Chinese variety. This decision was based on the desirable white plumage and size of the Embdens for commercial bird production, coupled with the high egg yield of the Brown Chinese to increase the number of goslings. This led to the creation of the White Chinese breed.

Recollections of seeing images of White Chinese geese from international sources sparked an interest in developing them further. Transitioning to becoming a meat producer certainly accelerated this endeavor. Initially engaged in the family dairy, assisting with bi-daily milking, geese breeding was merely a side project. It wasn’t until the goose numbers surged rapidly that the production size reached a sustainable level. Given the prevailing dry conditions and drought, geese fetched better prices compared to other livestock like sheep and cattle. I marketed these products under the banner of Telstar Juicy Goose Farm.

One of the most significant lessons learned during this period was the importance of scale in breeding. Having higher numbers offers a greater chance for rapid improvement and the acquisition of desired traits, in contrast to working with a mere 20 goslings. Additionally, having a larger breeding flock increases the likelihood of discovering beneficial mutations that can save several years of selective breeding efforts. Conversely, if the breeding numbers are limited, especially with breeds like Toulouse known for low fertility rates, the breeding process becomes prolonged due to their once-a-year breeding cycle. Missing a breeding opportunity translates to a lengthy wait until the next season.

The White Toulouse project was approached with all these considerations in mind. Despite being acknowledged by the Australian Poultry Standard, there remains a sense that the breed is not yet perfected, leaving ample room for future enhancements.

By 2008, a robust foundation flock of White Toulouse was established, following years of showcasing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show as an evolving breed, subjected to judging competitions, and inspected by various national and international experts. It was confirmed that Michael’s White Toulouse not only constituted a breed but also represented a specific breed lineage. Fueled by this confidence, he christened his lineage the Australian Camden White Toulouse.

End Product

In 2015, Michael submitted a formal application for the formal recognition of White Toulouse in the Australian Poultry Standards, accompanied by meticulous documentation and detailed evaluations from accredited judges. The application succeeded, resulting in the official inclusion of White Toulouse in the APS in 2016.

Wrap-up

Do not blindly trust assertions about lacking genetic resources to produce top-tier birds equivalent to those seen globally. We all draw from the same genetic pool, with no big mystery behind producing high-quality geese, except for the three crucial elements – Passion, Patience, and Perseverance.

Geese have always held a special place in Michael’s heart, particularly Toulouse geese, known for their gentle nature and elegant demeanor. Those familiar with him understand that his days are dedicated to tending to his animals in the fields, guiding them to reach their full potential, akin to a shepherd watching over his flock. His mind is consumed with thoughts of the forthcoming challenges.

Sharpen your livestock observation skills.
Quantity matters – higher production accelerates breed development.
Quality foundation stock is paramount.
Consult reputable and expert breeders. A professional livestock breeder selectively mates carefully chosen pairs to ensure offspring exhibit specific, consistently replicable traits over an extended period.
Passion for the craft – Well-nurtured livestock yield better results.

In Australia, the shared gene pool offers abundant possibilities. It’s shortsighted to believe that overseas genetics preclude us from matching or even surpassing the quality of birds bred elsewhere. With dedication, persistence, and perseverance, attaining international standards or even surpassing them is feasible. Amidst the flood of information, it is vital to seek advice from seasoned breeders with years of hands-on experience rather than relying solely on social media content.

Author: Jane Fredrickson

*Some content from this article was sourced from the Australasian Poultry publication.

Australasian Poultry Story: Crafting the Camden White Toulouse

While I cannot match the eloquence of the original article, this adaptation endeavors to capture the essence of the narrative.This composition was penned by the delightful Meg Miller, Editor of the Australasian Poultry Magazine. Originating in 2013, it elaborates on the inception of the Camden White Toulouse breed in Australia. Instead of endeavoring to rephrase this excellently written piece, I sought Meg’s permission to feature it on this site. Gratitude to Meg!

Michael Peel has long been captivated by the regal posture and serene demeanor of Toulouse geese. Unsatisfied with solely the conventional grey variant, he embarked on a mission to propagate a blue-plumaged Toulouse. This endeavor commenced almost a decade ago.

Following the Canberra National in 2008, English waterfowl adjudicators Mike and Chris Ashton journeyed to Peel Ridge Stud at Teresa Park, NSW. Upon reviewing the several years’ effort Michael had dedicated to the blue project, they forewarned him that it might not yield the desired outcome, potentially resulting in buff or white-plumaged birds. “It was the setback in breeding blue-plumaged birds that spurred me towards a white Toulouse,” Michael expressed. “Surveying the aftermath of numerous years spent in futile breeding, I discerned that I could salvage something substantial from the jumble on hand. Essentially, there were some commendable white-plumaged birds from the blue undertakings, and what remained was to boost the population significantly to access quality specimens for selection.”

Precedence of White Chinese Breed

Fortunately, I could draw upon my expertise acquired whilst developing White Chinese geese in the 1970s. The objective was to enhance egg production for the meat sector. Initially crossing the Embden with the Brown Chinese led to a higher number of goslings. The resultant hybrids proved ideal for commercial purposes.

Subsequently, a lineage was established from pied birds sourced from the Brown Chinese. Upon encountering the pied specimens and promptly procuring the flock, a few white birds were bred from this stock. This facilitated my work with two distinct lines. In commercial ventures, any substandard birds from the White Chinese initiative could be utilized for meat processing. As a breeder, particularly when pioneering a novel color variant, one anticipates a surplus of culls. Having the capability to process and vend them is advantageous.

It consumed approximately 14-15 years for the White variety to reach stability. A decade was devoted to experimenting with the pied white lineage before progress accelerated.

Recalling the visuals of White Chinese geese from international sources instigated my desire to cultivate them. I cannot disavow that transitioning into a meat producer propelled the process. Initially, I assisted with the family dairy, participating in the twice-daily milking routine. The geese were merely a side project at that juncture. It wasn’t until their numbers burgeoned swiftly that goose breeding evolved into a substantial enterprise capable of self-sustainability. The economic returns from geese during my commercial breeding years outshone those of other livestock like sheep and cattle due to arid conditions and drought. I marketed them under the Telstar Juicy Goose Farm brand.”

“A valuable lesson gleaned from those times is that if you amplify the numbers, your prospects of swift enhancement and acquisition of desired traits amplify in comparison to working with a meager count of 20 goslings. Furthermore, a greater occurrence of diverse traits emerges, often conserving years of labor. Naturally, if the breeding flock lacks sufficient numbers, the process extends since Toulouse geese are not renowned for high fertility. Their breeding cycle is primarily confined to once a year, and missing it equates to a prolonged wait until the subsequent season.”