Farmed Duck Welfare Standards: Progress Toward Better Lives for Waterfowl

Duck welfare standards have advanced in recent years with some major producers adopting open water access and higher-welfare housing, but conventional production still fails basic needs.

Key Facts

Global duck meat production exceeds 7 million tonnes annually, with China producing the majority
Higher welfare duck standards include open water access, lower stocking density, and natural lighting
UK RSPCA Assured duck certification requires open water provision and maximum 20 kg per square meter stocking
Feather pecking and behavioral frustration are common in conventional duck systems without water access
Foie gras ducks face the most severe welfare conditions, with force-feeding causing documented physical harm

Welfare Considerations

Duck welfare progress has been uneven across the global industry. Premium markets in the UK and parts of Europe have adopted higher welfare standards driven by certification programs and retailer commitments. The majority of global production, particularly in Asia, operates without equivalent standards. Open water access represents the most impactful single welfare improvement available to duck producers, yet remains absent in conventional systems globally. Consumer preference for higher welfare products in premium markets creates economic incentives for producers serving those markets, while regulatory requirements are needed to drive change in volume-focused production systems.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from RSPCA Assured or equivalent welfare certification requiring open water access
Support organizations campaigning for open water access as a mandatory standard in duck farming regulations
Avoid foie gras given well-documented welfare harms from force-feeding
Ask retailers about their duck supplier welfare requirements and commitment to open water standards