Frequently Asked Questions

What size goose should I order?

This is an approximate guide to how many people each weight of goose feeds. Please note it will vary depending on the shape of the goose and your portion size and appetite!

4kg - 4-5 people

4.5kg - 4-6 people

5kg - 5-7 people

5.5kg - 6-9 people

6kg - 8-12 (sometimes more)

How do I order a goose or chicken?

You can either order through our website and pay with your credit card through Paypal, which is a very secure 3rd party payment-processing site. Or you can make your order by post or phone and send us a cheque. We cannot take credit cards over the phone though. Please click here for more details on paying by cheque.

When will my goose or chicken be delivered?

This year, deliveries will be made on Wednesday 23rd December.

I might not be at home on 23rd December. Can I leave instructions for my goose to be left somewhere?

Please click on "Alternate Delivery Instructions" in checkout and tell us what you want done with your goose or chicken. If you've already ordered, just email us at clerkes@clerkesgeese.com and telephone 07968 047108. It's better to leave instructions just in case, as if we have to re-deliver your goose the following day because you were not there and you did not leave instructions, you will have to pay a re-delivery charge.

Can I request a time for delivery?

We do not deliver our geese and chickens ourselves, deliveries are made through a 3rd party courier specialising in temperature-controlled deliveries, so we don't know the exact delivery time. Deliveries can arrive any time from 9am-9pm, so if you might be out, please leave alternate delivery instructions.

I want to collect my goose or chicken - how do I get to Clerkes Farm?

We are located in Little Sampford, Essex, just outside Thaxted. From Thaxted, follow the signs for the Bardfields. You will drive out of Thaxted up a hill past the primary school and fire station. At the fork at the top of the hill, turn left. Continue along this road for about 2-3 miles until you get to a black and white striped signpost on the left which says Great Clerkes and Flemings Farm. Take this road down the hill and turn left at the fork. You will then reach the farm.

When can I collect my order?

Orders can be collected on 22-23 December between 9am-4pm.

I've never eaten goose before - what kind of meat is it?

Goose is a rich, dark meat, quite unlike chicken. Cooked properly, it is tender and juicy and absolutely delicious. Crispy goose skin is also wonderful and goose fat makes the best roast potatoes you'll ever eat.

What comes with my goose?

All geese come with giblets (heart, liver, neck and gizzard) and a bag of fat from the goose, which you can use to make delicious roast potatoes.

How do I cook my goose?

Please see our cooking instructions.

I'm a bit squeamish - I don't need to gut or pluck my goose do I?

Don't worry, all our geese are oven-ready. (If you'd prefer to gut the goose yourself, please contact us.)

I've just received my goose and it smells

Our geese and chickens are free-range and have been hung for a short time. They will naturally have a "gamey" smell - this is entirely normal and in fact if you buy a goose or chicken that does not smell, you know it is not good quality meat. However, if your goose or chicken has a strong off or fishy smell, it could be going off and you should contact us. Please follow our instructions for storage to ensure that your goose stays in top condition. These can be found below and also on the box.

How should I store my goose before I eat it?

Take your goose out of the box (this is very important as it will stop it from sweating) and store it below 2degrees celsius.

Why do you need my telephone number on the order form?

We may need to contact you urgently about your delivery or order, for example if the courier cannot find your house. We will never pass your phone number on to anyone else and we will only ring you if necessary.