Fighter geese Louise & Walter
Luise and Walter - Steinbacher geese retired at Gut Aiderbichl
Luise and Walter belong to an endangered breed of poultry, the Steinbach battling geese. Gut Aiderbichl took over the two geese from a very responsible and animal-loving breeder after the two geese had no more offspring in recent years due to their age.
This means that Gut Aiderbichl has added another species to the list of endangered breeds. Gut Aiderbichl is committed to endangered animal species and breeds, which now include the Steinbach battling geese in addition to the endangered Zackel sheep, the black-nosed sheep and the Austro-Hungarian Baroque donkeys.
Elegant appearance with a fierce look
At the end of the 19th century, Steinbach battling geese, a cross between land geese and mute geese, were bred in the area around Steinbach-Hallenberg near Thuringia. The breeding of these impressive geese was recognised in 1932.
Steinbacher geese look fierce at first glance. The black bar around the beak is characteristic and gives the Steinbach battling goose its fierce yet elegant appearance. The gander was once used in exhibition fights, hence the name Steinbacher Kampfgans.
Since when have geese been bred?
Goose breeding in general has a very long tradition and dates back to ancient times. Today, as in the past, the feathers and meat of geese are used for human consumption.
Geese are grazing animals that are undemanding and easy to keep and can live between 15 and 20 years. Geese lead a monogamous life. If one partner dies, the other lives on alone and normally does not mate again. Skilful breeders know what to do: a gander should be mated with several geese from an early age. If one goose dies, the gander replaces it with another goose and breeding continues.
The monogamous life of geese and their relationship crises
When a pair of geese – like Luise and Walter – find each other, they have something special in common.
The common cry of triumph(Vitus B. Dröscher, Tierisch erfolgreich. Überlebensstrategien im Tierreich, München 1996) means “We are a couple”. If a strange gander tries to approach the goose in the future, the gander knows what to do. With its neck stretched out, the gander runs or swims to chase the intruder away. The situation is saved, the gander cackles contentedly to himself and the goose cackles in agreement.
When circumstances allow, geese stay together for life, like Luise (approx. 10 years old) and her Walter (approx. 13 years old).
The new life together at Gut Aiderbichl in Carinthia
Due to their age, there were no more chicks, but the owner wanted his two geese to be able to continue their life together.
There are lots of geese at Gut Aiderbichl in Carinthia and it is noticeable that Luise and Walter cannot be separated. They waddle around the farm together and communicate with all the other geese and ducks in complete harmony and freedom.
Why are humans making animals extinct?
There are many reasons why animal breeds or plant species become extinct. Perhaps there is still too little awareness of the fact that every species that goes extinct jeopardises the ecosystem?
If we take a closer look at the beautiful Steinbach’s battling geese, we notice their grey-blue plumage, their black teeth, their brown eyes with a narrow, yellow eye ring and remember that if this breed dies out, we will have dealt another blow to nature.
From: Gisela Pschenitschnig, Gut Aiderbichl
