Introduction
Foie Gras or fatty liver production is the process whereby geese aged between 9-25 weeks are force fed for a period of 14-21 days. Though it is mostly done using geese, ducks can also do United States for example uses only ducks for fatty liver production. Ducks that are commonly used for this production are mostly hybrid Muscovy (Mulard) drakes as they have the tendency to accumulate fat in the liver and nowhere else in the body. They have to be raised in barns until plumage develops, get free access to food by outdoor grazing and then are force fed in pens for the final fattening period which normally is between 3 to four weeks (Shepstone 5).
Background Information
Force-feeding or over feeding is the process of feeding an animal or a person against their will. In humans, it is done by passing a feeding tube through the nose or mouth into the oesophagus. In circumstances when this feeding is done for medical reasons, it is not regarded as force feeding. Force feeding in humans began with the suffragettes, a group of people who wanted women to have the right to vote in the year 1897 (Shepstone 5).
The movement was led by Millicent Fawcett and was quite a peaceful one up until 1905 when Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kennedy caused a stir by questioning Winston Churchill and Sir Edward Grey, both Liberal politicians, if they believed women should have rights to vote. Both men did not reply and the women resulted to pulling out a banner reading ‘votes for women’ and ended up in prison. The suffragettes became violent and when arrested, they went on hunger strikes. The Government then resulted to force feeding them in an effort to avoid deaths that could make the prisoners look like martyrs. Force feeding in animals is mostly done to geese and ducks. The idea of force feeding animals is believed to have its roots in ancient Egypt after man noticed that most wild geese overfed while preparing for migrations (Shepstone 5).
Force Feeding
During the force feeding period, corn is the nutrient of choice as it is cheaper in addition to having high starch content. This kind of food manufacture is specific and demands that an individual be both skillful and perceptive in order to achieve success. Geese are available in many different breeds and crosses but the suitability of them for force-feeding depends on two issues. One, the breed has to respond positively to the force-feeding process meaning it has to develop an enlarged liver and of the desired size within the force-feeding period. Secondly, a non-aggressive breed is mostly a good option as the geese are handled up to 5-6 times in a day. It has been noted that the white breed is more preferable and valuable as compared to the coloured down and feathers (Drobney 95).
Fatty Liver Production
Slaughter houses are the most common places where fatty liver production takes place. The popularity of slaughter houses with this practice is due to their involvement in both processing and marketing of livers. The slaughter houses purchase the goslings and the brood and when they grow they are delivered to farmers specializing in force feeding. Hungary and France are the most concentrated countries running this production, representing three quarters of the word’s consumption (Drobney 95).
The size of the liver increases up to 10-fold during fattening and with less secretion and more lipogenesis, the liver actually contains more than 50% fat. “Whole grain corn, being the most suitable feed for force feeding, is cooked slightly in hot water until the kernels are soft enough to a firm squeeze” (Drobney 96). According to Drobney (96), “fat from other birds that were previously used in fatty liver production can also be added, but only up to a level of 2%”. “This limit is significant since it lubricates the feed for easier flow into the oesophagus” (Drobney 96). They are mostly fed in the morning, noon and evening but cramming twice or thrice so as to reduce the duration of force feeding period is also possible. This is done by giving the last feed a minimum of 90 minutes then beginning at the start again making the total number of meals six per day. The duration of the force feeding period in this case does not exceed 13-14 days. This process has an added advantage in that it also saves corn (Drobney 96).
There is also another way of feeding the geese which involves an uncooked mixture of 35% ground corn, 30%whole grain corn and 35% water. They are then fed using recently designed equipment and only four times in a day. This process lasts 18-20 days (Drobney 96).
Ban of Production
This process has brought too much controversy and people have largely protested for it to stop including celebrities, like actress Kate Winslet. The process swells up the livers of the birds up to ten times their normal size making breathing and walking hectic as the liver has to push against other organs. It also causes the birds depression as they become unable to engage in normal preening behaviors. In addition to this, the birds suffer from debeaking shortly after birth to avoid pecking each other when closely confined. At this time, their livers are at a “state of dysfunction called ‘hepatic lipidosis’ or ‘hepatic steatosis’ which means they can no longer perform their intended functions which includes cleaning out toxins from the blood stream” (Greenhouse 4). This may cause migraines, stupor, coma and even death. Injuries that they may acquire mostly come from puncturing of their necks by the metal feeding tube during feeding, or from bursting of their stomachs as a result of indigestion or suffocation. However, there is effort by the industry to minimise the risks by using modernized equipment which improve the feed tube design. They also allocate familiar handlers and seclude the injured animals (Greenhouse 5).
Many countries have banned this practice including Israel, the fourth largest foie gras producer. “In spite of this, the production has been increasing in the recent years with France producing twice as much in the last decade” (Greenhouse 5). In the United States, there are two major companies dealing with foie gras production; Hudson Valley Foie Gras in New York and Sanoma Foie Gras in California. “The United States is also in the process of banning the production” (Greenhouse 5). This means that foie gras producers may not have a very bright future especially if the cruelty of this process continues to be highlighted. Consumers are also in uproar when they get to know how the product is achieved. “Many groups have protested against this gavage method and restaurants are taking notice” (Greenhouse 5). Scientists have also found out that consumption of foie gras can cause rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the amyloid proteins (rogue proteins forming insoluble clumps) found in it. This goes to say that consumers will largely avoid this product.
Animal rights groups have also been protesting foie gras production and have been most successful in this endeavor. Beginning the year 2012, the state of California in the US will also ban this production. Seemingly, creation of awareness of the nature of the force feeding process could lead to a diminished market. The Foie Gras industry also defends itself by arguing that the process is rather ancient and a long held tradition (Greenhouse 5).
Prevention of diseases
It is worth noting that a well managed production system should observe cleanliness and work on disease prophylactic practices, in order to reduce incidences of disease outbreaks and manage them. There are several recommendations for the control and prevention of diseases. It is always advisable to carefully examine geese before purchasing them. Again, buying them from a reliable source is beneficial in the long run. Before purchase of geese, it should be ensured that there is adequate, good quality feed and water to last through the entire process and that the environment is stress free. A stress free environment is one that is secluded from noise and other disturbing elements (Shepstone 7).
Conclusion
Birds from an outside flock should not mix with the current flock rather it is advisable to establish a second flock and to separate the younger ones as they are more susceptible to disease. Also breeders should not be kept together with the growing geese. One should make sure vaccinations and medications are timely and of course the sick animals should be secluded as well. Those that die should be carefully buried or incinerated and a diagnostic report sent to a laboratory so as to access the cause of death. Lastly, visitors and buyers should have protective clothing, clean crates and boxes, ensure the building is always clean and disinfected, keep the wild birds out of the pens and maintain complete records of the animals at all times (Greenhouse 1).
Works Cited
Drobney, R. D. “Effect of diet on visceral morphology of breeding wood ducks.” The Auk (1984): 101, 93-98. Print.
Greenhouse, S. “No days off at foie gras farm.” The New York Times. 2011. Web.
Shepstone, T. J. “The economic importance of the New York State foie gras industry.” 2004. Web.