Geese farmed for meat, down feathers, and foie gras production face significant welfare challenges. Down production through live plucking and foie gras force-feeding are particularly problematic.
Goose welfare spans several distinct production systems with very different welfare implications. Meat production in intensive systems without water access, appropriate social grouping, or enrichment causes significant welfare harm to highly social, intelligent birds. Live plucking — removing feathers from conscious geese — causes acute pain and distress, and is documented as occurring in supply chains for major down product retailers despite industry claims otherwise. Responsible Down Standard and similar certifications attempt to verify non-live-plucking claims. Foie gras production using twice-daily force-feeding causes liver disease, esophageal damage, and respiratory impairment in conscious animals — one of the most thoroughly documented welfare-compromising practices in food production.