Ducks
Ducks, known for their sweet, gentle, and innocent nature, thrive when they can express their natural behaviors alongside water. As waterfowl, they need access to ponds or streams, not only for swimming but also for preening, foraging, and socializing. In factory farms, however, ducks are cruelly denied any access to standing water, making it impossible for them to fulfill their most basic instincts or experience the comfort and joy that water brings to their lives.
Denied Access to Water
Ducks and geese are both waterfowl species. This means that they require open water for their health, like cleaning themselves, eye and nostril health, hydration and digestion, and to keep cool in hot weather. Ducks and geese that are packed into sheds by the thousands with only wire, dirt, and feces to stand on. They will get a trickle of water for drinking and will never get access to open water, meaning they’re unable to clean themselves properly, subsequently spreading infections and diseases.
A Stressful Life
Because of the stressful living conditions these birds are subjected to, many will have neurological issues in which they will start pulling out their own feathers, as well as pecking at each other. Ducks and geese are bred to grow quickly and with a lack of standing to take stress off their legs, a lot of stress is put on their bodies. This causes skeletal issues, bone breaks, and numerous health effects.
Used for Their Feathers
Around 80% of the worlds down comes from China, where plucking the birds without pain relief and while alive, is commonplace. Using down from birds who are plucked alive is not just unethical—it is a violent violation of their most basic rights, inflicting intolerable pain and suffering for nothing more than human luxury and comfort.
Fed to Death
Foie gras, a so-called delicacy made by force-feeding ducks or geese until their livers become dangerously enlarged, is a manifestation of extreme cruelty. This practice not only causes immense pain and suffering but also strips these gentle birds of their dignity and autonomy. 4.2 Billion ducks, and around 800 million geese were slaughtered in 2023.