© World’s Poultry Science Association 2005 World’s Poultry Science Journal, Vol. 61, December 2005 Received for publication April 20, 2005 Accepted for publication July 15, 205 633 DOI: 10.1079/WPS200575 Welfare of ducks in European duck husbandry systems T.B. RODENBURG 1 *, M.B.M. BRACKE 2 , J. BERK 3 , J. COOPER 4 , J.M. FAURE 5 , D. GUÉMENÉ 5 , G. GUY 6 , A. HARLANDER 7 , T. JONES 8 , U. KNIERIM 9 , K. KUHNT 10 , H. PINGEL 11 , K. REITER 12 , J. SERVIÈRE 13 and M.A.W. RUIS 1 1 Applied Research, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands; 2 Animal Resources Development Division, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen UR, Lelystad, The Netherlands; 3 Institute for Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany; 4 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom; 5 Station de Recherches Avicoles, INRA de Tours, Nouzilly, France; 6 Station Experimentale des Palmipedes a Foie Gras, INRA Artigueres, Benquet, France ; 7 Department of Farm Animal Ethology and Poultry Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany; 8 Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; 9 Department of Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany; 10 Institute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Behaviour of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; 11 Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Halle Germany; 12 Institute of Animal Husbandry and Welfare, Bavarian Research Centre of Agriculture, Poing-Grub, Germany; 13 Department of Animal Sciences INRA- INAPG, Paris, France *Corresponding author: b.rodenburg@clo.fgov.be European duck meat production is based on the use of Pekin, Muscovy and Mule duck genotypes that vary in their behavioural and physiological characteristics. Furthermore, large differences exist in their housing and management conditions. The aim of this review is to discuss the welfare of these different genotypes in typical husbandry systems, focusing on ducks kept for meat production. Firstly, factors that can affect duck welfare, such as stocking density and group size, access to straw, an outdoor run, or open water, are described. Secondly, welfare problems such as feather pecking, fear and stress, and health problems are assessed. Thirdly, the various systems used in Europe are described for these aspects. Giving ducks access to straw, an outdoor run, or open water increases the behavioural opportunities of the ducks (foraging, preening, bathing, and swimming), but can also lead to poor *Corresponding author, present address: Ministry of the Flemish community, Department of Mechanisation, Labour, Buildings, Animal Welfare and Environmental Protection, Agricultural Research Centre, Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 115, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. 053681_Journal_4 08-12-2005 14:28 Pagina 633