This is not available for eating due to scarcity, unless you breed some yourself. Their eggs are available locally in season. The Shetland Goose is considered to be a domestic bird with Greylag ancestry and valued for its ability to thrive on grazing, fertilise the pasture, egg production, meat, and even feather and down for insulation. The meat is delicious with a gamey flavour.

The Isbisters of Trondra saved this breed single-handedly. Thanks to them the true breeding Shetland Goose is still in existence. They are breeding Shetland Geese at Burland Croft and through their efforts, gradually encouraging others to do so. Rare breeds of poultry seem often to be unfairly undervalued. Their biodiversity is invaluable and their genetics must be kept in living genebanks. They are so easily cross-bred then lost forever – these were saved just in time before extinction.

They are hardy and live off reasonable grazing so do well on crofts as a food source and as a valuable eater of parasites that would harm other animals – perfect for smallholders and crofters.

photo: M Isbister, Shetland Geese at Burland Croft, Trondra, Shetland

http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/shetland-goose/