The domestication of geese began several thousand years BC in ancient Babylon. At that time, the technologies of keeping the animals began to spread around the Mediterranean region as well. The kind of geese that first appeared in Hungary for came from Greece, when there was already a great demand for them both there and in Rome. In Europe, it was Charlemagne who first regulated the breeding of geese.
In Hungarian regions, there are already records from the 11th century that geese were mentioned as part of the church tithe. The domestication of the Hungarian breeds is dated to this period. It was probably the ancestor of various European subspecies that were domesticated here, during the collection of young geese. The Hungarian breeds belong to the family of grey geese (Anser anser), regardless of the colour of their feathers. From the 18th century onwards, the coloured and frilled varieties of geese were also considered native to Hungary. The boom in corn production (after the discovery of America) also contributed to the gradual development of goose farming in Hungary. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Emden breed was also introduced to our country, giving way to the selective breeding of the Hungarian domestic goose. They were bred in four main Hungarian regions, and were considered as highly prized birds in households. As the noblest poultry in the whole country, they were primarily raised for their liver, meat, and feathers. Children also dealt with these loud, fighting animals, as their task was to herd the animals to the water and home. These birds were very hardy, stocky, low-maintenance, and grew quickly while developing thick feathers in the continental climate. As such, even smaller rural villages favoured their husbandry.
Thus, keeping geese in Hungary is a centuries-old tradition. For our ancestors, goose feather and down were already a sign of high social status in the 15th century. The basic decoration of clean rooms, bedding filled with goose feathers and down, was often just piled up and hoarded indoors. In households, mothers collected pieces for wedding gifts from the time their daughters were young. In the last hundred years, goose farming has also been organised, for example in producer associations. Here, too, the emphasis was on keeping animals free.
The expertise and dedication of Hungarian agricultural professionals has made it possible for Hungarian goose feather and goose down to be of the best quality in the whole world. In terms of export volume, only China surpasses Hungary. Three quarters of goose feather and goose down produced in Hungary is exported abroad. In recent decades, regulations on the breeding and raising of animals have become stricter. For this reason, the animals are kept and raised ethically and humanely. It is forbidden to force-feed them or strip them alive of their feathers and down.
Based on the factors below, Hungarian goose down is fully unique in the world:
- insulation
- fullness
- filling power
- flexibility
- price-value ratio
- degree of purity
- and smell
Hungarian goose down products are the most sought-after premium bedding globally. It is not only popular among customers who like natural materials. They can be used for decades, renovated, and even recycled. The bedrooms of luxury hotels are unimaginable without these premium category products.
We recommend these products for various occasions too, as the most elegant gift that can be found. It can be an excellent choice for babies napping in cradles, toddlers, sleepy teenagers, or aging grandparents. As it is today, one of the greatest wedding gifts is a wonderful soft and fluffy goose down duvet or pillow.
The quality of our products meets the strictest European standards. We proudly and confidently recommend all of our FLEIR'S products to you!