Tuesday, September 26, 2023
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Ducks, Geese & Turkeys

Ducks and Geese:

  • Ducks and geese are farmed in Ireland for meat, eggs and down.
  • The highest grade of down, used to make bedding, involves a practice called live-plucking. The feathers and undercoating of geese and ducks are pulled off their skin while the waterfowl are still alive. (Source: CBS)
  • Behind the Walls of Irish Duck Farming – Wake Investigations
  • While the production of foie gras (ie. duck or goose liver) is banned in Ireland, it is still legal for restaurants to use it here.
  • The pain and suffering behind foie gras – Animal Save Movement

Turkeys:

  • Approximately 4 million turkeys are bred and killed each year in Ireland.
  • Female turkeys are made pregnant by artificial insemination.
  • Turkeys have been bred to grow very large in a short space of time.  They can suffer from a range of illnesses such as lameness, broken legs, ulcers, diseases and pain resulting from debeaking.  (See:  Compassion in World Farming:  Turkeys).
  • Turkeys are slaughtered at around 6 months.  Their natural lifespan is around 10-12 years.
  • Turkeys are intelligent, sensitive creatures.
  • In the wild they run, fly, dust-bathe, care for their young and communicate using a sophisticated range of vocalisations. Crowded together indoors in intensive farms, they are unable to carry out their natural behaviours.
  • More about the treatment of turkeys on farms from United Poultry Concerns.

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