Farm Animals

Farmed Duck Welfare Challenges

Ducks raised for meat and foie gras face severe welfare deprivations in intensive production systems.

Key Facts

Most farmed ducks are raised without access to water for swimming
Ducks require water to keep their eyes, nostrils, and feathers healthy
Force-feeding for foie gras causes hepatic lipidosis and organ rupture
EU countries and many US states have banned foie gras production

Welfare Considerations

Ducks are water birds with deep behavioral needs for swimming and bathing. Intensive duck farming denies these needs, causing feather damage, eye infections, and chronic frustration. Foie gras production — force-feeding ducks via a tube inserted into the esophagus — causes suffering on a scale that has led to legislative bans in many jurisdictions. Even non-foie gras duck farming rarely provides adequate water resources for normal behavioral expression.

What You Can Do

Avoid foie gras products
Choose duck products from farms offering water access
Support bans on force-feeding for foie gras production
Advocate for species-specific welfare standards in poultry farming