Geese are intelligent, social waterfowl with strong behavioral needs. Farming systems that fail to accommodate their natural behaviors cause significant welfare problems.
Goose welfare in farming is compromised by practices that deny fundamental behavioral needs. Water access is not a luxury for geese — without bathing opportunities, feather condition deteriorates, eye health suffers (geese need to submerge their bills to clean their eyes), and behavioral frustration is evident. Social bond disruption during production cycles causes distress. Foie gras production through force-feeding (gavage) involves repeated tube insertion into the esophagus to induce pathological liver enlargement — the process causes physical injury, stress responses, and liver disease. Live plucking for down — pulling feathers from conscious birds — causes acute pain and has been documented across supply chains supplying global apparel markets. The European Food Safety Authority has confirmed both practices cause significant animal suffering.