Farmed Duck Housing Standards and Welfare

Duck housing standards significantly affect welfare outcomes for the approximately 18 million ducks farmed annually in the UK.

Key Facts

Most UK ducks are housed indoors in barns with stocking densities up to 20 birds per square metre
Indoor ducks frequently suffer from eye infections due to inability to immerse heads in water
Ammonia from duck excreta causes respiratory problems in poorly ventilated barns
RSPCA Freedom Food standards for ducks include minimum space and open water requirements
Outdoor access for duck welfare is available in some higher welfare systems
Higher welfare duck certification covers a small but growing proportion of UK duck production

Welfare Considerations

Conventional duck housing fails to meet even basic duck welfare requirements including water access, adequate space and air quality. Ducks are physiologically and behaviourally adapted for aquatic environments and suffer significantly in dry indoor systems. Consumer demand for higher welfare products and regulatory reform are both needed to improve industry standards.

What You Can Do

Choose RSPCA Assured or higher welfare duck products whenever possible
Ask retailers about the housing and water access standards of duck products they stock
Support Compassion in World Farming campaigns for mandatory water access and space standards for ducks
Reduce duck meat consumption and prioritise welfare-labelled products when buying