Statutory guidance

Poultry Biosecurity Review (PBR) terms and conditions

Published 2 June 2026

Applies to England

1. Introduction 

1.1 “Get funding to improve animal health and welfare” is a Service run by the Rural Payments Agency (“us”, “we”, “our”) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”). The Service delivers ‘financial assistance’ under section 1 of the Agriculture Act 2020 and is governed by the Agriculture (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2021 (“the Regulations”), as amended by The Agriculture (Financial Assistance) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 and 2023. 

2. About the Poultry Biosecurity Review Scheme (the “Scheme”) 

2.1 The Poultry Biosecurity Review (the “Review”) is a distinct scheme within the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, delivered through the “Get funding to improve animal health and welfare” service. 

2.2 The purpose of the Review is to:

(a) assess biosecurity protocols and practice on the Poultry Holding; 

(b) highlight potential disease incursion risks on the Poultry Holding; and 

(c) offer veterinary advice and recommendations on how to improve biosecurity on the Poultry Holding. 

2.3 The Review consists of: 

(a) an advisory visit; 

(b) a biosecurity assessment; 

(c) professional veterinary advice; 

(d) a written report; and 

(e) a veterinary summary of the visit. 

2.4 Scheme Period 

(a) The Scheme closes for new applications on 30 September 2028. 

(b) The last date a Vet may visit your Site for the purpose of a Review is no later than 31 December 2028. 

(c) The Scheme will close on 31 March 2029.  

3. Definitions and interpretation  

3.1 In this Agreement, the following definitions apply: 

“Agreement” means the agreement formed when you accept these terms and conditions; 

“Keeper” means the person responsible for the day-to-day care of the poultry on the Poultry Holding; 

“Minimum Bird Number” means the thresholds stated in condition 5.3;  

“Poultry Holding” means any land or premises recorded under a valid County Parish Holding (CPH) number on which poultry are kept; 

“Qualifying CPH” means a valid CPH number registered in England only and which is not an 8,000 series CPH number; 

“Scheme Period” means when the Scheme commences until 31 March 2029; 

“Site” means a Poultry Holding identified by a qualifying CPH for the purposes of this Agreement; 

“Payment” means the fixed payment payable under this Agreement, as described in Condition 20; 

“Vet Summary Sheet” means the summary sheet for the Site, as described in Condition 19, to accompany the Report referred to in Condition 18.7(b); 

“Vet” means a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registered vet. 

3.2 A reference to the “Law” means any law, statute, subordinate legislation within the meaning of section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act 1978, bye-law, right within the meaning of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020, regulation, order, regulatory policy, mandatory guidance or code of practice, judgement of a relevant court of law, or directive or requirement of any regulatory body with which you are bound to comply. 

3.3 A reference to a statute or statutory provision is a reference to it as amended, extended or re-enacted from time to time and includes all subordinate legislation made under that statute or statutory provision. 

3.4 A reference to a public organisation includes a reference to any successor to that public organisation. 

3.5 Any words following the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or “for example”, or any similar phrase, are illustrative and do not limit the meaning of the words preceding them. 

3.6 Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) words in the singular include the plural; and

(b) words in the plural include the singular. 

4. Scheme Rules  

4.1 Under current legislation, all Keepers of poultry are legally required to: 

(a) register their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) via the Kept Birds Register; and

(b) hold a County Parish Holding (CPH) number. 

4.2 To participate in the Scheme, you must: 

(a) be the poultry Keeper;

(b) hold a Single Business Identifier (SBI);

(c) have at least one Qualifying CPH; and

(d) meet the eligibility requirements set out in Condition 5. 

4.3 Each Poultry Holding identified by a Qualifying CPH is treated as a distinct Site for the purposes of this Agreement and for Payment. 

4.4 Agreement holders may arrange for up to three (3) funded Reviews per Site within the Scheme Period. At least ten (10) months must elapse before a subsequent Review can take place. 

4.5 The Agreement must be accepted and in place before the Vet carries out a Review. 

4.6 The Scheme end date is 31 March 2029. You must not ask a Vet to carry out a Review in the final three (3) months before the scheme end date, as set out in Condition 8.4. 

5. Eligibility Requirements 

5.1 To be eligible for an Agreement, you must meet all requirements set out in this section. 

5.2 You must be the Keeper as defined in section 3.1.  

5.3 You must have at least one Poultry Holding identified by a Qualifying CPH, that holds or can reasonably hold, at least the one of the relevant Minimum Bird Number thresholds listed below.  

Where birds are present on the Site at the time of the Review: 

i. 1,000 broilers (chickens); or 

ii. 1,000 laying hens (chickens); or 

iii. 1,000 breeding hens (chickens); or 

iv. 500 ducks; or 

v. 500 geese; or 

vi. 500 turkeys.  

You cannot combine thresholds to reach the minimum for any species. 

5.4  Birds do not have to be physically present on the Site on the day the Review is carried out, however where that is the case, you should ensure that:  

i. The Vet has checked that the Site can hold at least the Minimum Number of Birds based on the area of the Site and the stocking densities in the Poultry Codes (as updated from time to time), and for geese only this is as per the Annex; and  

ii. that you intend to stock to at least this level.

6. Guidance 

6.1 We have set out further information about the Scheme in accompanying guidance the “Guidance”.

6.2 The Guidance is intended to help you understand how the Scheme works and will not be used to introduce additional mandatory requirements to your Agreement. 

7. About your Agreement 

7.1 Your Agreement: 

7.1.1 comprises these terms and conditions which are further explained in the Guidance as referred to in Condition 6.

7.2 What You Are Declaring 

7.2.1 By entering into this Agreement with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), you confirm that:

(a) you are registered with us and have a valid and current Single Business Identifier (SBI);

(b) the SBI referred to in Condition 7.2.1(a) is linked to at least one permanent or temporary CPH number that is registered in England only and which is not an 8000 series CPH number;

(c) as the Keeper, you are the person responsible for the day-to-day care of the birds on your poultry Site, on either a permanent or temporary basis, on the date or dates the Vet carries out the Review visit;

(d) the CPH or CPHs on which poultry are kept and for which you will make a claim for Payment are registered in England;

(e) the information you provided in your online application for the Scheme remains true and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief;

(f) you have full capacity and authority to enter into the Agreement;

(g) you are not aware of any circumstances which would render you ineligible for the Payment or otherwise prevent you from complying with your obligations under the Agreement;

(h) your obligations under the Agreement do not and will not conflict in whole or in part with any other legal or contractual obligations you are subject to;

(i) you will at all times comply with all relevant Law in the performance of your obligations under the Agreement; and

(j) you will ask a Vet to carry out your Review visit, and if you yourself are a Vet, you confirm that you will not carry out the Review yourself and must ask another Vet to do it,

(k) you will ask your Vet to confirm in the Vet Summary Sheet that either:

(i) the Minimum Bird Number as set out in condition 5.3 are present on your Site when the Review is carried out; or

(ii) where there are no birds present on your Site, they are satisfied that condition 5.4 is met. 

7.3 What you are agreeing to do 

7.3.1 By accepting an Agreement and receiving the Payment, you agree to: 

(a) comply with these terms and conditions; and

(b) use the Payment for the purpose of undertaking the requirements of this Agreement. 

8. Agreement Period 

8.1 The Agreement will begin from the date you accept your offer (the “Agreement Start Date”) and will continue until 31 March 2029 (the “Agreement End Date”). The Agreement Period (the Agreement Start Date to the Agreement End Date, or later if extended in accordance with Condition 8.5) is subject to the termination provisions set out in Condition 12. 

8.2 The Agreement Start Date and Agreement End Date will be shown on the agreement summary, which we will share with you on your acceptance of these terms and conditions. 

8.3 The agreement summary will confirm:

(a) the unique reference number (URN) for the Agreement, which you should use in any correspondence with us;

(b) the Agreement Start Date and Agreement End Date; and

(c) your business name and SBI. 

8.4 During the last three (3) months of your Agreement, you must not ask a Vet to attend your CPH for the purposes of carrying out a Review. This period should be used solely for completing your claim and seeking Payment under these terms and conditions. If a Vet attends your CPH during this period and carries out a Review Visit, you will not be eligible for Payment. 

8.5 We reserve the right to extend the Agreement End Date by way of a Variation as set out in Condition 13. 

9. Record keeping 

9.1 You must keep all invoices, receipts, the Review visit report referred to in Condition 18.7, Vet Summary Sheet referred to in Condition 19, accounts and any other relevant documents relating directly to the expenditure of the Payment and evidence of your compliance with your obligations under these terms and conditions (“Records”). 

9.2 You must keep your Records for a period of at least seven (7) years from the Agreement End Date, or later if the Agreement is extended in accordance with Condition 8.5. 

9.3 You must prepare and keep your Records in compliance with the Law and must provide assistance to us when we are auditing or examining these Records so as to help us carry out our legal obligations. 

9.4 We have the right to:

(a) request that you provide your Records to us;

(b) review your Records; and

(c) take copies of such Records. 

9.5 You must provide your Records to us upon request. In addition, you must provide your Records to any other duly authorised public authority (or their authorised representatives or auditors) upon request. 

9.6 If you do not provide your Records to us – or to any other duly authorised public authority – within fourteen (14) days of our or their request, your Payment may be declined, recovered, or withheld. 

10. Data Protection 

10.1 We and you must always comply with our respective obligations under “Data Protection Legislation”. We may be required to provide your personal information to Defra. 

10.2 “Data Protection Legislation” means:

(a) the UK GDPR;

(b) the Data Protection Act 2018 to the extent that it relates to the processing of personal data and privacy; and

(c) all applicable Law about the processing of personal data and privacy. 

10.3 “UK GDPR” has the meaning set out in section 3(10) of the Data Protection Act 2018, supplemented by section 205(4). 

10.4 You agree that we may use Personal Data (as defined in Article 4(1) UK GDPR) which you provide as part of your claim for Payment in order for us to administer the Payment. 

10.5 For information on how we handle personal data, search for “Rural Payments Agency Personal Information Charter” on GOV.UK. 

11. Freedom of Information 

11.1 You acknowledge that we are subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (“FOIA”) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (“EIR”). 

11.2 We may need to share information we hold about you or the conditions of Payment so we or Defra can comply with any FOIA and EIR request. The extent, content and format of the information we disclose is our decision. In making any disclosure, we will have due regard to Data Protection Legislation. 

11.3 By accepting this Agreement, you confirm that you will provide all necessary assistance and cooperation which we or Defra reasonably request for the purposes of complying with our obligations under FOIA and EIR within a time period specified by us. 

11.4 You must tell us as soon as reasonably practicable if you receive a FOIA or EIR request intended for us or for Defra. 

12. Termination 

12.1 We may terminate the Agreement before the Agreement End Date on written notice to you:

(a) if you have breached the terms and conditions of the Agreement;

(b) if you have not repaid to us a sum that has become recoverable under Condition 20;

(c) at any time, by giving you at least six weeks’ notice; or

(d) in accordance with 12.2.  

12.1.1 If we terminate the Agreement under Condition 12.1:

(i) you may be required to repay part or all of the Payment set out in Condition 20.9.
(ii) You will need to keep to the relevant obligations in the Agreement until you have made this repayment.
(iii) This will only be utilised in limited circumstances.
(iv) Any Payment already made will not be recoverable unless you are found to be in breach of your Agreement. 

12.2 We may also terminate the Agreement on:

(a) 31 March 2027; or

(b) 31 March 2028; 

by giving you written notice at least three (3) months before each respective date, of our intention to terminate. 

(i)  Any claim for Payment made on or before either of these dates will be honoured so long as it is deemed a valid claim in line with these terms and conditions. 

12.3 If we terminate your Agreement under Conditions 12.1(a) or (b), you will not be able to apply for a new Agreement for 10 months after the date of the termination of your Agreement. 

12.4 You may terminate the Agreement on written notice to us at any time. 

12.5 Should you exercise your termination right under Condition 12.4, you will not receive the Payment, and we will not accept liability for any costs you may have incurred prior to you terminating your Agreement with us. 

12.7 Should you exercise your termination right under Condition 12.4, you will not be able to apply for a new Agreement for ten (10) months after the date of the termination of your Agreement.

12.8 If a Vet has carried out a Review visit on one or more of your Qualifying CPHs/Sites under this Agreement prior to termination, you must ensure you make a claim for Payment prior to exercising your termination right under Condition 12.4. 

(a) Once you terminate your Agreement, you will not be eligible for Payment under this Agreement for the relevant Review visit. 

12.9 Any Payment already made to you may become fully repayable to us if you terminate this Agreement under Condition 20 and we find you have not complied with these terms and conditions. 

(a) You shall make any payments due to us without any deduction whether by way of set-off, counterclaim, discount, abatement or otherwise. 

12.10 Termination or expiry of the Agreement will not affect our or your continuing rights and obligations under any condition in the Agreement which is intended to continue beyond the Agreement End Date (such as record-keeping). 

13. Variation 

13.1 We may request a variation to the terms and conditions of your Agreement from time to time. 

13.2 If we need to vary your Agreement as set out in Condition 13.1, we will notify you in writing setting out the required variation(s) and will endeavour to give such notice as is reasonable and proportionate, having regard to the nature of the variation and its consequences for you. 

13.3 Subject to condition 13.4, if you do not agree with the variation to the Agreement, you can either terminate the Agreement as set out in Condition 13.5 or reject the variation and continue your existing terms and conditions. 

13.4 You will not be able to reject a variation under Condition 13.1 if such variation is required under Law or in response to wider government emergency measures and/or measures imperative to the national interest. In that case, you will only be able to terminate the Agreement in accordance with Condition 13.5 or continue with the varied terms and conditions. 

13.5 Pursuant to Condition 13.3, you will need to communicate any termination or rejection in writing to us within the timeframe set out in our written notice to you under Condition 13.2. If you fail to communicate your intention to terminate or reject within this timeframe, the Agreement shall continue as varied by any variation notice. 

14. Breach of your Agreement 

14.1 Where we reasonably suspect you have breached your Agreement we will carry out a proportionate investigation into the alleged breach. Once we have concluded this investigation, we will inform you of the outcome and allow you to make written representations within the timeframe set out in our notice to you. 

14.2 After we have carried out a proportionate investigation and reviewed your written representations (within the agreed timeframes), we may determine that you have breached this Agreement (“Determination”). If we make a Determination that you have breached the Agreement, we will write to inform you of this within a reasonable period and will provide the reasons for the Determination. We will then decide what action needs to be taken, if any, including termination. 

14.3 If you would like us to reconsider any Determination we have made regarding a breach of the Agreement, you should use our complaints procedure to ask for it to be reconsidered. You must complete the “IAHW and PBR Query Form” set out in the complaints procedure page to submit a complaint to us. 

14.4 You must ask us to reconsider any Determination within sixty (60) calendar days of the date you are notified about our Determination. 

14.5 We will consider your request to reconsider the Determination carefully, including any information or evidence you have provided to us. We will confirm the outcome of our reconsideration, with reasons, in writing within a reasonable period. 

14.6 You may appeal the outcome of our reconsideration of the Determination within sixty (60) calendar days of the date you are notified of that outcome where you believe that the outcome of our reconsideration:

(a) was based on an error of fact;

(b) was wrong in Law; or

(c) there has been a material procedural error. 

14.7 We will confirm the outcome of your appeal under Condition 14.6 within a reasonable period, in writing, explaining the reasons for this outcome. This will be our final determination. 

15. Actions we may take if you breach your Agreement 

15.1 There are no set actions for particular breaches of the Agreement, and we will assess all the circumstances of a breach in a fair and consistent manner, on a case‑by‑case basis, and take the action(s) we think is/are appropriate. 

15.2 If we make a Determination that you have breached the Agreement; we may take any of the following actions:

(a) issue you with a warning letter;

(b) allow you to rectify the breach;

(c) delay, reduce, recover or withhold Payment, or require repayment of all or part of the Payment made to you;

(d) terminate the Agreement before the Agreement End Date; and

(e) prohibit you from receiving financial assistance from other financial assistance schemes under the Agriculture Act 2020 for a period of up to two (2) years from the day after we notify you of the Determination on the breach. 

15.3 We may withhold any payment due to you under any other scheme covered by the Agriculture (Financial Assistance) Regulations. 

16. Third Party Rights 

16.1 The Agreement is between you and us. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms; however, the terms of the Agreement and our rights under it may be enforced by Defra. 

17. Monitoring and Evaluation 

17.1 You acknowledge that, as a condition of receiving the Payment, you may be required to participate in an evaluation, which may take place during the Agreement Period or after the Agreement End Date or termination of the Agreement. 

17.2 You understand that your contact details may be disclosed to third parties for evaluation purposes, and you agree to assist and cooperate with any person authorised by us to carry out such an evaluation. For the avoidance of doubt, this shall be done in line with the Rural Payments Agency Personal Information Charter. 

18. The Poultry Biosecurity Review Visit 

18.1 In order to be eligible for Payment, you must ask the Vet to attend your Qualifying CPH to carry out a Review for the Site. 

18.2 You may have up to three (3) Reviews for each poultry Site selected under this Agreement. For each poultry Site, you must wait a minimum of ten (10) months between Reviews carried out under this Agreement. 

18.3 You must not have a Vet attend your CPH to carry out a Review in the last three (3) months of the Agreement. The last date you may have a Review visit is 31 December 2028. 

18.4 You must tell the Vet about the requirements for a Review. The accompanying guidance will assist the Vet to carry out the Review. It is your responsibility to make sure that the Review completed by the Vet complies with these terms and conditions. 

18.5 In accordance with Condition 5.3, you must have the Minimum Bird Number as stated in condition 5.3.

18.6 In accordance with Condition 5.4, where birds are not present on the Site you must ensure that Condition 5.4 has been met.  

18.7 To complete a Review, you must ask the Vet to complete all the steps set out below:

(a) complete a formal biosecurity assessment of the Site where poultry are kept;

(b) provide you with a written report (“the Report”) for the poultry Site. You must ask the Vet to follow the guidance referred to in Condition 18.4 setting out what should be included in the Report. The Report must provide you with an action plan based on the outcome of the assessment, including recommendations about how to improve biosecurity; and

(c) provide you with a separate Vet Summary Sheet for the Site, as described in Condition 19, to accompany the Report referred to in Condition 18.7(b). 

19. Vet Summary Sheet 

19.1 The Vet Summary Sheet is available in the (accompanying guidance)[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/poultry-biosecurity-review-funding-guidance-for-poultry-keepers-and-vet]

19.2 The Vet Summary Sheet must be used by the Vet in completing the requirement of Condition 18.7 (c).  

19.3 The Vet Summary Sheet must include all the following:

(a) your SBI and business name;

(b) the unique reference number for your Agreement;

(c) the name of the Site;

(d) your CPH number for the land and buildings the Vet attended to carry out the Review on;

(e) the last date the Vet attended your CPH for the Review of the Site;

(f) the poultry species on the Site under review;

(g) the name of the Vet;

(h) the RCVS‑registered reference number for the Vet; 

(i) confirmation that a biosecurity assessment has been carried out;

(j) the category of biosecurity improvement recommendation made by the Vet;

(k) confirmation that the Vet provided you with a Report as referred to in Condition 18.7(b);

(l) the signature of the Vet; and

(m) the date the Vet signed the Vet Summary Sheet.

20. Payment 

20.1 The Payment rate for completing a Review for each Site is £430.  

20.2 It is your responsibility to negotiate a price with the Vet and to ensure you pay the Vet. If the amount the Vet charges you for the Review exceeds the amount of Payment you are eligible to receive, you will be responsible for the excess amount. 

20.3 To be eligible for the Payment, you must comply with your obligations under this Agreement.   

20.4 To be eligible for Payment, you must submit your Payment claim via our digital service (or by post if agreed with us as part of an accessible agreement) and you must:

(a) make sure the Vet completes the Review visit in accordance with Condition 18 and has provided you with the Vet Summary Sheet in accordance with Condition 19; and

(b) comply with the timeframes laid out in Condition 8.

20.5 You should make reasonable endeavours to:

(a) arrange and claim Payment for your first Review under this Agreement within six (6) months of the Agreement Start Date; and

(b) complete and submit your claim for Payment within three (3) months of any subsequent eligible Review under this Agreement and before 31 March of each year within the Scheme Period. 

20.6 When you have carried out the actions required under Condition 20.4, we will use reasonable endeavours to make the associated Payment no later than twenty eight (28) days after verifying your Payment claim is valid and meets the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  

20.7 We will make the Payment directly to the bank or building society account registered with us for the SBI referred to under Condition 7.2.1(a), via BACS transfer, subject to the necessary funds being available when the Payment falls due. 

20.8 We reserve the right to withhold, delay, reduce or recover the Payment, or require repayment of all or part of the Payment, if you:

(a) fail to comply with any of these terms and conditions;

(b) defraud, mislead or provide false information to us;

(c) fail to comply with Condition 4; or

(d) fail to comply with all relevant Law in performing your obligations under this Agreement. 

20.9 If we inform you that you have received a Payment which does not meet the requirements of these terms and conditions, you must repay such amounts within sixty (60) days of the date of our demand for repayment. 

20.10 Any sum repayable under Condition 20.9 will be treated as a debt to us. If the sum is not repaid, we may issue a recovery order in respect of it. 

20.11 Before taking any action under Condition 20.8 or Condition 20.9, we will assess all of the circumstances of a breach in a fair and consistent manner and take action as appropriate. 

20.12 You may withdraw your claim for Payment at any time by giving us written notice of your intention to withdraw, subject to Condition 20.13. This does not prevent you from resubmitting your claim in accordance with Condition 20. Any Payment already made to you shall be fully repayable to us. 

20.13 You may not withdraw your claim:

(a) if we have informed you of a breach of this Agreement;

(b) where we have given you notice of a suspected breach of this Agreement; or

(c) where we have asked you to send us any evidence relating to your compliance with this Agreement. 

20.14 If you fail to comply with Conditions 20.3 and 20.4, you will be in breach of your Agreement. We understand there may be circumstances where you breach Condition 20.4 due to events outside of your control (“Good Reason”). 

20.15 If you breach Condition 20.4 for a Good Reason, you (or a person authorised to act for you) must notify us in writing explaining the Good Reason. If we determine that there is a Good Reason for the breach, you may still be eligible for the Payment. You must notify us in writing within eight (8) weeks of: 

(i) the date you are able to; or

(ii) the date we notify you of the Determination on the breach of the Agreement. 

20.16 A decision about whether you remain eligible for the Payment under Condition 20.14 will be at our sole discretion, and you may be asked to provide further evidence to support your Good Reason. 

20.17 For the avoidance of doubt, Payment eligibility is determined in accordance with Conditions 5 and 18.

Annex

In accordance with good industry practice, we recommend the following stocking levels for geese. We reserve the right to update these from time to time.

Breeding geese – indoor systems

Descriptive category	Husbandry system	Strains and sexes	Duration	Stocking density (birds/m²)
Immature breeders	Indoor floor systems	All	25–36 weeks	2
Immature breeders	Indoor floor systems with outdoor access	All	25–36 weeks	2–2.5
Pedigree breeders	Indoor floor systems	All	From 40 weeks to 2 years	0.8–1
Great-grandparents breeders	Indoor floor systems	All	2.5 years	1
Grandparents breeders	Indoor floor systems	All	From 40 weeks to 2 years	1
Grandparents breeders	Indoor floor systems with outdoor access	All	2 years	1.2–2
Parental breeders	Indoor floor systems	All	3.5 years	1
Parental breeders	Indoor floor systems with outdoor access	All	3–3.5 years	1.2–2

Husbandry systems for meat production

Descriptive category	Husbandry system	Strains and sexes	Duration	Stocking density (birds/m²)
1-day-old goslings	Indoor floor systems -slatted	All	Starting period up to week 4	up to 10 - 15 goslings/m²
1-day-old goslings	Indoor floor systems – litter only	All	Starting period up to week 4	7 - 8 goslings/m²
Growing geese	Indoor floor systems – slatted or litter	All	Growing period	Max 3 geese/m²
Growing geese	Indoor floor systems with outdoor access	All	Growing period	Max 3 geese/m² 1 m² open water/15 geese
Growing geese	Outdoor systems	All	Growing period	Roof or light shelter 1 m² of roof for 7 - 10 geese 1 m² open water/15 geese