Farmed Duck Welfare: Space, Water Access, and Foie Gras

Farmed ducks have specific welfare needs including water access for bathing and swimming that are rarely met in commercial production, with foie gras production raising additional severe concerns.

Key Facts

Ducks are waterfowl with strong drive to submerge their heads and bathe in open water
Most commercial duck farming provides no open water access, a major welfare deprivation
Even nipple drinkers prevent ducks from performing natural bathing behaviors
Foie gras production involves force-feeding ducks or geese to cause pathological liver enlargement
Foie gras is banned in over 15 countries including the UK, Germany, and multiple US states
Pekin ducks are the most commonly farmed species globally, raised primarily for meat

Welfare Considerations

Duck farming presents a clear and preventable welfare problem: an animal strongly motivated to access open water is routinely denied it for its entire life. Research shows ducks with water access spend significant time bathing, head-dipping, and swimming - behaviors that cause apparent positive affect. Foie gras represents an additional severe welfare concern, with force-feeding causing esophageal injury, liver pathology, and difficulty breathing. Both issues have clear solutions available to producers willing to prioritize welfare.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products only from certified welfare schemes requiring open water access
Avoid purchasing foie gras and support campaigns against its production and sale
Advocate for mandatory open water access requirements in duck farming regulations
Support producers transitioning to higher-welfare duck housing with swimming or bathing areas