Geese are intelligent, long-lived, and highly social birds whose welfare in farming systems ranges from good in extensive outdoor production to extremely poor in foie gras operations.
Goose welfare exists on a spectrum from very good to extremely poor depending on production system. Geese on extensive pasture with social groups, foraging access, and water for bathing can meet most of their behavioral needs. The opposite extreme — foie gras production — is widely considered one of the most extreme welfare harms in all of animal agriculture. Force-feeding using metal tubes causes esophageal damage, impaired liver function so severe the liver enlarges tenfold, difficulty breathing, and inability to walk. The procedure is widely condemned by veterinary and welfare bodies. Consumer campaigns and legislative bans have reduced foie gras production significantly, but trade continues across borders. Supporting legislation that bans both production and importation is a high-impact advocacy action.