Greylag geese are increasing in UK parks, reservoirs, and agricultural areas, creating human-wildlife conflicts. Welfare-appropriate management balances goose wellbeing with agricultural and amenity concerns.
Urban and peri-urban greylag goose welfare is generally adequate where geese have access to suitable grazing habitats and water. However, feeding of bread and inappropriate human foods causes nutritional problems including angel wing (carpal wing deformity from high-carbohydrate diets during growth), obesity, and loss of natural foraging behaviour. Geese in conflict management scenarios face welfare harms from egg oiling (which prevents hatching) and lethal control measures. Egg oiling is generally considered more welfare-positive than chick removal or adult culling because embryos at the oiling stage have limited or no sentience. Shooting of adult geese causes acute welfare harm to targeted individuals and distress to social group members. Non-lethal management including habitat modification, flight-activated deterrents, and natural vegetation management to reduce attractive grassland should be the first management approach.