Duck and Goose Welfare: Challenges and Insights

Duck and goose welfare is a global priority, with research supporting improved housing, enrichment, and management to enhance health and welfare.

David Corredor

Welfare of ducks and geese in farming systems has become a central concern globally. Recent evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and peer‑reviewed research provide complementary perspectives on how husbandry practices affect these waterfowl. Together, they underline the urgent need for improved housing, enrichment, and management to safeguard bird health and meet ethical standards¹.

EFSA’s Scientific Opinion

EFSA’s 2023 opinion was the first comprehensive assessment of duck and goose welfare on farms. It focused on domestic ducks, Muscovy ducks, mule hybrids, and domestic geese. The evaluation excluded practices such as feather collection, foie gras overfeeding, and hunting rearing, concentrating instead on breeding and meat production systems¹.

Key welfare consequences identified include:

• Restriction of movement in cage or confined systems.
• Group stress due to inappropriate stocking densities.
• Inability to perform comfort behaviors such as preening and bathing.
• Physical injuries including bone lesions, soft tissue damage, and locomotory disorders.

EFSA emphasized that welfare risks are strongly linked to space allowance, floor quality, nesting facilities, and access to open water. Recommendations included providing three‑dimensional space per bird, environmental enrichment, and improved nesting design.

Insights from Scientific Literature

Complementing EFSA’s findings, recent peer‑reviewed studies highlight how housing systems and management practices directly influence waterfowl welfare. Research shows that ducks and geese have strong behavioral needs for swimming, foraging, and social interaction. Systems that restrict water access or limit exploratory behavior lead to stress, feather damage, and reduced immune function².