The Öland, Swedish: Ölandsgås, is a traditional Swedish breed of domestic goose. It is named for the island of Öland, where it is thought to have originated, and is distributed there, in Småland and in northern Skåne.[4]: 487 It is an endangered breed, with few more than a hundred living birds.
History
The Öland is a traditional breed of Öland and Götaland. It was standardised in the 1920s. The breed was nearly extinct at the 1970s.[5]
For 2021 a total population of 105 birds is reported.[2] The conservation status of the Öland was listed as "critical-maintained" by the FAO in 2007, and was listed in DAD-IS as "at risk/critical" in 2024.[1]: 112 [2]
Characteristics
The Öland is similar in appearance to the Skåne, although slightly greyer.[6] The plumage is pied white and brown-grey, with grey head and neck and patches of grey on the back, thighs and tail.[5] The bill and the legs are bright orange; there may be some white round the base of the bill.[5] Ganders generally weigh between 4.5 and 5.5 kg, geese some 4–5 kg.[5]
Use
The Ölandsgås was traditionally reared principally for meat;[7] geese lay some 20 to 30 eggs per year.[6] The birds are markedly territorial; ganders may be used to guard farm property.[6]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Öland geese.
