){kind=link}
"Today, we present to you the farmer Erwin Link from the farm 'Bio Goose', who gives us an insight into goose farming at this family-run organic farm located in Fulda, Germany."
Erwin Link : "Goose farming started on our farm long before I was born. My family started it, and I took over the business later. With us, everything is done by hand, the geese grow up in the most natural conditions possible."
Link started in conventional agriculture. Over time, however, it became clear that competition in this sector, particularly from large Hungarian and Polish producers, was becoming increasingly strong. Therefore, Link began its conversion to organic farming in order to stand out.
EL : "We didn't have to change much, as we were already complying with a large part of the organic specifications, due to the size of our farm, our large meadows, and water basins. However, we had to adapt our agricultural methods in order to produce the grains necessary for feeding our geese ourselves. Nutrition is the most decisive factor for the quality and well-being of the animals. However, this has an impact on our costs. Geese have much higher food needs than other types of poultry. Our geese receive a special diet, consisting of wheat, fava beans, peas, and organic soy. We produce a large part of the feed ourselves and supplement it with carefully selected protein components. We do not use any pesticides or phytosanitary products."
The organic regulations require access to the outdoors for at least one third of the poultry's life. At Erwin Link, this access is guaranteed for almost the entire life of its animals.
EL : "The geese arrive at our place as day-old goslings and feed on their yolk sac for the first 72 hours. The chicken coops are then heated to a temperature of 30 degrees, but the animals can go outside in good weather if they wish. From the 14th day onwards, they spend day and night outside. Free access to water is essential for the geese. It is important that they can dip their heads underwater, as it is a natural need for them. That is why we also have extra-large water troughs, as well as ponds specially designed for the animals to bathe and swim. In addition, we provide them with enough space to move around freely."
Erwin Link's testimony proves that animal welfare goes hand in hand with sustainability. Choosing organic farming means respecting humans, animals, and the environment.