In a Clash of Titans: How do overseas Toulouse geese measure up against their Australian counterparts?

When circulating within the waterfowl society, we often encounter depictions of the ‘ideal bird’ and images of geese from abroad. While it is natural for us to juxtapose them with our own, do foreign geese surpass our local birds?

The latest buzz on social media has propelled me to pursue some answers. I had the opportunity to converse with Graham Hicks, a globally respected waterfowl assessor who presently serves on a panel reviewing the British waterfowl criteria.

Recommended by esteemed international judges Chris & Mike Ashton, Graham Hicks was endorsed to The Goose Breeders Network of Australia as the sole individual in the UK equipped with the expertise and acumen to assess and preside over waterfowl at the Australian National Show 2012.

During the 2012 National exhibition, a multitude of geese were submitted by breeders such as myself, Graham Webb, Gale Watson, and a plethora of other breeders from all corners of Australia. Graham Hicks also toured several breeders’ premises, where he graded and handled numerous birds in their natural habitat. I, along with Heather Soane and Gale Watson, were fortunate to be counted amidst this group.

In May 2017, Graham Hicks revisited Australia to adjudicate The Allstate Waterfowl Festival in Goulburn, evaluating and examining several geese on various farms. He had notable remarks regarding the geese in Australia, particularly the Toulouse breed.

During our discourse, I questioned Graham on his viewpoint regarding recent social media remarks and posts, stated as follows:

• Australian Toulouse appear deficient in back length.
• While Australian Toulouse may be sizeable, the majority lack the crucial indicators of body proportion equilibrium and length.
• A glaring absence of lacing in Australian Toulouse!!

Graham’s swift and unequivocal reply was:

• Nonsense.

I probed Graham about his impressions of the Toulouse geese he had encountered during his time in Australia.

Graham Hicks enunciated confidently:

• The structural integrity of these birds is astounding.

From Graham Hicks’s personal evaluation, it is unmistakable that Australian Toulouse do exhibit the desired indicators of body length and balance.

This leads us to a recurring notion echoed in various social media comments. We come across frequent posts extolling overseas Toulouse with claims like:

• Overseas Toulouse overshadow Australian counterparts in every aspect
• Australian breeders are incapable of producing Exhibition Toulouse of such caliber.

Given Graham Hicks’s eminence as an international waterfowl judge, having interacted with Toulouse geese worldwide, I sought his perception of Australian Toulouse comparative to foreign breeds.

I inquired of Graham, are our Australian Toulouse on par with overseas counterparts?

• Graham responded succinctly with “Yes”.

Then why is it that images of foreign Toulouse on social media seem more appealing than our domestic Toulouse?

Graham promptly remarked,

• It’s all about the plumage.
• I attest that Australian Toulouse exhibit superior frame and structure.
• Overseas Toulouse tend to have a lighter build.

My inference from our dialogue is that foreign Toulouse possess a lighter physique with a profusion of feathers/down, catering to enhanced thermal efficacy in their colder environment. Australia’s distinct climate catalyzes the evolution of our birds, resulting in sturdier frames with denser plumage. The climate significantly influences breed evolution, making it challenging to compare like with like. Contrasting photos and hands-on bird inspection yield disparate insights.

I also sought Graham’s perspective on lacing in alignment with another social media comment suggesting Australian Toulouse lack proper feather lacing.

Graham articulated,

• The specimens he observed exhibited no lacing issues.
• An eagle-eyed examination may reveal isolated instances of concerns among select birds.
• However, the majority of Toulouse in Australia, which I encountered and handled, displayed no lacing issues. The lacing was satisfactory.

Lastly, I implored Graham for his insights and advice for Australian Toulouse breeders.

Graham imparted,

• If enhancing your Toulouse is your goal, strive for a homogenous and consistent flock.
• If I may offer a suggestion, focusing on the keel at the front is imperative.
• An appropriately pronounced keel will elevate the appearance of your Toulouse.
• Yet, keep in mind that birds with larger keels may encounter fertility challenges. This is a factor to bear in mind when expanding your breeding stock.

During our conversation, Graham also relayed that breeders in England had recently imported German Toulouse (commercial variety) with diminished keels to bolster fertility within UK Toulouse colonies.