Geese farmed for meat have specific welfare requirements related to their social nature, water access needs, and behavioral complexity as highly intelligent waterfowl.
Farmed goose welfare shares many characteristics with farmed duck welfare — the fundamental deprivation of water access for swimming and bathing is a primary welfare concern for waterfowl adapted for aquatic environments. Intensive indoor housing prevents expression of natural grazing, foraging, and social behavior. Geese are significantly more cognitively complex than chickens or turkeys, making the welfare implications of barren environments more profound. Free-range goose farming with genuine outdoor access, social groupings, and water features provides substantially better welfare than intensive indoor production. Their intelligence means they are capable of learning routines and can experience negative states from unpredictable or stressful management.