• Ducks are water birds - meaning they naturally live on or around water

• The word duck comes from an Old English word meaning "diver"

• Ducks keep clean by preening themselves with their beaks, which they do often.

• Ducks' feathers are waterproof. There is a special gland that produces oil near the tail that spreads and covers the outer coat of feathers. Beneath this waterproof layer are fluffy and soft feathers to keep the duck warm.

• Ducks can live from 2-12 years, depending on the species.

 

 

Australia farms around 8 million ducks per year for their flesh, their eggs and their feathers. The majority of ducks are kept indoors in large sheds with mesh floors (not in cages).

 

Being water birds, access to water is inherent to their well being, they use the water to clean themselves and maintain eye, nostril and skin health.  In Australia, farmed ducks are denied access to water for bathing.

 

As with so many animal agriculture industries, producers often go to great lengths to persuade well meaning consumers that what they are buying is a 'humane' product - the recent case ACCC lodged against Pepe's ducks for their tag line: "Grown natures way"

 

These ducks are all individuals who value their lives, there is no humane way of taking that life from them.

 

There are some wonderful alternatives to duck meat available in Australia, these are the only truly humane choice.