Yili Goose

The Yili goose, also written Ili goose, is a Chinese domestic goose from the Yili River valley in Xinjiang, near the Central Asian borderlands. It is one of the better known Chinese regional goose breeds with a greylag-like appearance: grey-brown plumage, a relatively plain head without the prominent knob seen in many Chinese goose flocks, and strong grazing ability. Its background is tied to pastoral and oasis farming, where geese used meadows, river edges, and crop aftermath.

Yili geese are managed much like hardy range geese, with access to forage and water during mild weather and reliable shelter during freezing, windy periods. They interest breeders and conservation programs because they represent a northern Chinese landrace rather than the familiar knobbed Chinese goose common in many backyard flocks. When sourcing birds, ask about strain history and avoid selecting only for size; fertility, winter survival, and ability to thrive on grazing are central to the breed's value.

Colors: Blue, Brown, Brown and White, Buff, Buff and White, Gray, Gray and White, Grey, Lavender, Pied, Saddleback, Splash, Tufted, White