Geese farmed for meat and liver production face significant welfare challenges including force-feeding for foie gras, inadequate water access for bathing and preening, and high-density housing that prevents natural foraging and social behaviour.
Geese have some of the highest welfare requirements among farmed birds because of their strong drive for water-based activities. Systems that deny geese access to open water for swimming and bathing create chronic frustration and impair feather condition, thermoregulation, and social behaviour. Foie gras production represents the most severe welfare violation in goose farming: force-feeding causes acute stress during gavage sessions and the resulting liver pathology creates progressive discomfort and dysfunction. Consumers who avoid foie gras and choose higher-welfare goose products from pasture-raised systems can meaningfully improve outcomes for these highly sentient birds. Countries that have not yet banned foie gras production should be encouraged to do so.