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

Ducks have strong behavioral needs including access to open water and space to express natural behaviors. Intensive duck farming and foie gras production raise major welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Ducks need access to open water for bill dunking, bathing, and feeding — a critical welfare requirement
Most commercial duck farms provide only drinking water through nipple drinkers, denying bathing access
Foie gras production involves force-feeding ducks or geese to enlarge their livers — banned in many countries
Ducks in intensive systems show high levels of eye problems from inadequate bathing water access
Some certification schemes require open water access as a minimum welfare standard for ducks

Welfare Considerations

Ducks denied access to open water suffer chronic frustration of a fundamental behavioral need. They use water for feeding, social interaction, feather maintenance, and thermoregulation. Without bathing water, eye and feather problems are common. Foie gras production imposes additional extreme welfare harm through force-feeding. Consumer awareness and certification schemes that require open water access are the primary drivers of welfare improvement in commercial duck production.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from producers that provide open water access
Avoid foie gras products — force-feeding causes severe suffering
Support bans on foie gras production and import
Advocate for open water access requirements in duck welfare standards
Ask retailers about water access provision in their duck supply chains