Animal Welfare

The Welfare of Domesticated Ducks

It is an inescapable fact of life that to eat meat it is necessary to kill animals. Only 50 years ago many families kept a pig, or a few chickens, or indeed ducks, which they looked after in the back yard for a while and then, in due course, killed and ate. But during their lives those domestic animals were treated with care, respect and even a measure of affection. And so it is with Cherry Valley ducks.

Animal Welfare is a very simple subject.

1. Understand what the particular animals need to lead healthy, comfortable lives.

4. Provide for those needs.

3. Check the well-being of the animals regularly and make improvements to their circumstances if necessary.

Flocks of domesticated pekin ducks require:

Protection from predators
Protection from extremes of weather
Adequate clean, dry space
Wholesome food
Clean water for drinking and preening (but not necessarily for swimming !)
Protection from disease

Cherry Valley ducks are reared in large, airy, well-lit barns whose floors are covered with clean, dry straw each day.

They are provided with a constant supply of natural, balanced feed whose main ingredient is wheat grown in the local area.

Water for drinking and preening is constantly available.

By limiting exposure to pathogenic bacteria and viruses our ducks grow strong and healthy without the need to use antibiotics or other medications.

Trained and experienced stockpersons check the well-being of the ducks each day according to a detailed code of practice. This is regularly audited by DEFRA (ie The Ministry of Agriculture) and our major customers.


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The Welfare of Domesticated Ducks It is an inescapable fact of life that to eat meat it is necessary to kill animals. Only 50 years ago many families kept a pig, or a few chickens, or indeed ducks, which they looked after in the back yard for a while and then, in due course, killed and ate. But during their lives those domestic animals were treated with care, respect and even a measure of affection. And so it is with Cherry Valley ducks. Animal Welfare is a very simple subject. 1. Understand what the particular animals need to lead healthy, comfortable lives. 4. Provide for those needs. 3. Check the well-being of the animals regularly and make improvements to their circumstances if necessary. Flocks of domesticated pekin ducks require: Protection from predators Protection from extremes of weather Adequate clean, dry space Wholesome food Clean water for drinking and preening (but not necessarily for swimming !) Protection from disease Cherry Valley ducks are reared in large, airy, well-lit barns whose floors are covered with clean, dry straw each day. They are provided with a constant supply of natural, balanced feed whose main ingredient is wheat grown in the local area. Water for drinking and preening is constantly available. By limiting exposure to pathogenic bacteria and viruses our ducks grow strong and healthy without the need to use antibiotics or other medications. Trained and experienced stockpersons check the well-being of the ducks each day according to a detailed code of practice. This is regularly audited by DEFRA (ie The Ministry of Agriculture) and our major customers.