An ornamental goose famous for long, soft, curling and spiraling feathers that drape over its body. The distinctive plumage is beautiful but reduces flight and waterproofing, so the breed needs extra grooming and weather protection.
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Sebastopols have long curly feathers that tangle, drag, and become matted in mud — pasture must be dry and the bathing pool kept clean. Each bird needs ≥ 10 sq ft of dry shelter and 100 sq ft of clean grass.
Rotated clean pasture, a frequently-refreshed pond, soft footing, and shade. Sebastopols cannot fly well due to plumage — predator-proof everything. Long curly feathers need occasional gentle washing/preening help.
Chris Hamby / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Manicured pasture + clean natural pond
Locked night shelter + clean rotated pasture + natural pond
Spacious clean pasture rotation with a natural pond, shade trees, and a fully predator-proof night house. Sebastopols are gentle ornamental geese that flourish in low-density, clean, water-rich settings.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Birds develop inside a hard-shelled egg incubated by the parent(s). Egg size, shell color, and clutch size vary by species; the embryo develops over days to weeks before hatching.
Photo coming soon
Hatchling / Chick
Hatchlings are either altricial — naked, blind, and dependent on parents (typical of parrots and songbirds) — or precocial — downy, mobile, and self-feeding soon after hatching (typical of poultry and waterfowl). Down gives way to the first feathers.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile / Fledgling
Fledglings grow in their juvenile plumage and begin to fly and feed themselves, though they may still beg from parents at first. Juvenile feathering is often duller than the adult and is replaced as the bird matures.
Adult
Adults attain full body size and mature plumage, and are capable of breeding. Many species show distinct adult coloration, and in sexually dimorphic birds males and females differ in plumage, size, or markings.
(c) rokcestnik, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) via iNaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/39091643
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Pasture with a clean, dry shelter is essential — the curly feathers stay clean and dry less effectively than normal plumage. Provide good-quality bedding, shade, and protection from rain, mud, and cold wind. Clean bathing water is especially important so birds can keep their long feathers clean. Keep ranges relatively dry and free of brambles that can tangle the trailing feathers.
Diet
Grazes pasture and accepts waterfowl/poultry maintenance pellets, with insoluble grit and oyster shell for layers. Goslings need adequate niacin. Provide fresh water at all times, and bathing water large enough for the bird to wash its plumage.
Behavior & temperament
Primarily an ornamental and exhibition (show) breed, also kept as pets; egg production is modest (about 25-35 per year). Generally gentle and friendly, though individuals vary. Because curled wing feathers impair flight, they are easy to contain. They tolerate cold but their loose feathering offers less insulation when wet, so they appreciate dry shelter.
Health
The trailing feathers are prone to soiling and can cause skin or feather problems if allowed to mat with mud or droppings. Reduced waterproofing means wet birds chill more easily. Otherwise hardy; standard waterfowl issues (bumblefoot, niacin deficiency in goslings) apply. The frizzle-type plumage is a recognized breed trait, not a welfare defect, but does require active management.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Trim feathers around the vent and eyes if they obstruct mating, sight, or hygiene. Provide frequent clean bathing water and dry bedding to keep plumage in good condition. Recognized colors include the curly 'frizzle' (smooth-breasted) and the trailing/loose-feathered type. Keep one gander per few geese; supervise breeding since feathering can hinder fertility — some keepers trim to assist.
