Appendix 1
RSPCA welfare standards
for domestic/common ducks
58 February 2015
* indicates an amendment
Space requirements and environment
E 5.2 Stocking density not likely to exceed 17kg/m2.
E 6.2 Aerial contaminants not noticeably unpleasant.
E 6.5 The birds have thermally comfortable environment.
Free-range
R 1.1 Birds given access to range as soon as they are
mature enough.
R 1.3 Birds have continuous daytime access to the range.
R 1.9 The range:
a) consist of pasture mainly covered with
living vegetation
b) surrounding the house is not poached.
R 1.15 There is a minimum 8m2 of overhead shade and
shelter per 1,000 birds.
R 1.15 Shade and shelter facilities are appropriately
distributed to encourage full use of range.
R 1.17 The range is being managed to provide the most
suitable conditions to encourage the birds to roam.
Stock-keepers and management
M 2.4 Stock-keepers can demonstrate their proficiency
in procedures that have the potential to cause
suffering, e.g. culling.
M 3.1 Birds are inspected at least three times per day
sufficient to identify sick/injured birds and those
behaving abnormally.
M 3.7 Welfare problems are dealt with appropriately and
without delay.
M 5.1 Equipment, upon which birds depend, is inspected
at least once per day.