Commercial duck farming for meat and eggs raises significant welfare concerns beyond the well-known issue of foie gras, including access to water for bathing and swimming, respiratory disease from ammonia, and growth-related problems in rapidly-growing breeds.
The denial of water access for bathing and swimming is arguably the most significant welfare issue in commercial duck production outside of foie gras. Ducks have evolved as semi-aquatic birds with behavioral needs that include submerging their heads, bathing, and preening with water. Without this, they develop eye and nasal problems, suffer skin and feather deterioration, and cannot express fundamental natural behaviors. The ammonia levels in indoor duck units without adequate ventilation cause chronic respiratory irritation. These are not marginal welfare concerns — they affect virtually every duck in conventional indoor production systems. Higher welfare alternatives that provide water access and outdoor ranging are commercially viable, demonstrating that the industry has options.