Duck farming raises specific welfare concerns that differ from chicken farming. Ducks are aquatic animals whose natural behaviors are severely restricted in conventional production systems.
Ducks are aquatic birds with strong motivations to swim, preen in water, and forage in wet substrates. Conventional barn systems deny all these behaviors, causing chronic frustration and welfare deficits. Bill trimming without anesthesia is practiced to prevent feather-pecking caused by overcrowding. Foie gras production causes liver disease, esophageal damage, and respiratory distress from forced overfeeding.