Mini Sebastopol Geese

What people mean by mini

Usually one of three things. A line deliberately selected for smaller size over generations. A cross that has brought the size down. Or simply a bird that happens to be small, which is not a mini at all, just a small goose.

Only the first is what most buyers think they are getting. Since there is no standard for it, there is nothing to check a claim against. That puts the burden on you to ask what the parents weighed and to see them if you can.

Why size varies anyway

Standard Sebastopols are a medium-weight breed, smaller than a Toulouse or Embden. Within that, ganders run heavier than geese and individual birds vary considerably. Someone comparing a small goose against a large gander will see a size difference that has nothing to do with a miniature line. The size post covers typical ranges.

This is also why size is a poor way to sex a bird, as the sexing guide explains.

What to ask

Ask what the parents weighed and how many generations have been selected for size. Ask to see the parents. Ask whether anything other than Sebastopol is in the line, because a cross may be smaller but will not throw reliable Sebastopol feathering.

If the answers are vague, you are buying a small goose rather than a miniature line, and it should be priced as one. Our own birds are standard Sebastopols, on the geese page.

Common Questions

Are mini Sebastopol geese a real breed?

No. Mini Sebastopol is not a separate breed or a recognised variety. The term describes smaller than standard birds, usually from lines bred down in size, and it is used loosely.

How big is a standard Sebastopol goose?

A medium-weight breed, smaller than a Toulouse or Embden. Ganders run heavier than geese, with considerable variation between individuals.