Animal care and welfare: the responsibilities of pet owners
The animal owner or carer must check on the animals’ welfare at least twice a day by observing them directly.
To develop a positive relationship between humans and animals, contact with the animal must take place frequently and in a calm manner, right from the very first days of life. It should be borne in mind that goslings react to calls or human voices.
Animal-friendly management of the herd
When carrying out any work in the barn, the geese must be handled calmly to avoid startling the animals when approaching them and causing unnecessary agitation within the flock:
- Avoid abrupt, hasty movements
- No prolonged or sudden loud noises
- No sudden, intense light
The geese should be gently accustomed to the regular performance of certain tasks.
- The intensive imprinting behaviour of this species can be utilised, particularly when handling goslings.
- The geese must always be herded calmly and slowly. Any obstacles that could injure the geese should be removed beforehand.
Before entering the shed, the geese should be ‘warned’ by knocking on the door or speaking to them. The geese can be accustomed to your own voice.
Do not attempt to catch geese hastily from within the flock. If individual birds need to be removed from the flock (e.g. for weighing), this should be done from a small group that has previously been separated from the flock using herding boards.
When spreading litter mechanically, a person should walk in front of the litter spreader to drive the geese and remove any animals unable to walk from the path. The further procedure is set out in the section on ‘Handling individual animals’.
- Prior animal checks ensure that no animals unable to walk are present in the shed.
The animals should be accustomed to the relevant machinery from the start of rearing.
Animal-friendly treatment of individual animals
Geese must not be caught or lifted by their legs or a wing, in order to prevent injury, particularly to their hocks.
“It is prohibited to drag or pull animals by the head, ears, horns, legs, tail or fur, or to handle them in such a way as to cause them unnecessary pain or suffering” (see Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, Annex 1, Chapter III, No 1.8(d)).
- Due to their physique, geese are usually handled gently by the neck when being caught. Lifting them by the head or neck is not permitted.
To handle individual birds or when an animal needs to be carried, the goose is lifted with both hands by the body or at the base of both wings. To carry the bird, one arm is placed around the body to support the weight and keep the wings in a closed position. The other hand grips the upper neck to prevent the goose from biting (occupational safety).
Geese must not be carried suspended upside down.
Injured, sick or suffering animals whose continued presence in the flock would cause avoidable suffering must be immediately separated from the flock for treatment in a quarantine pen (ensure unrestricted access to water and feed!) or humanely euthanised.
- See section 2.6 of the Goose Husbandry Agreement on rearing and fattening
- Dead geese must be removed from the shed or outdoor area without delay, stored appropriately in refrigerated carcass containers and disposed of in accordance with regulations.