In recent years, the push to improve the lives of animals raised for food has gained significant momentum in the European Union (E.U.). The European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age” has called for a ban on the use of cages for various farmed animals, including ducks, geese, and quails. Currently, there’s no specific E.U. legislation protecting these birds, relying instead on recommendations adopted more than 20 years ago.

To support the revision of animal welfare legislation under the “Farm to Fork” strategy, the European Commission requested a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The goal was to assess the welfare of domestic ducks, Muscovy and Mule ducks, domestic geese, and Japanese quails in relation to their housing systems.

The assessment covered birds kept for meat, eggs, foie gras, and breeding. The experts reviewed the scientific literature and gathered data from E.U. member states and stakeholder organizations to identify current husbandry systems. They then evaluated how these systems affect bird welfare, focusing on issues like restriction of movement, injuries, group stress, and inability to perform comfort behaviors.

Using a method called “Expert Knowledge Elicitation,” the experts estimated the prevalence of welfare hazards in different housing systems. They also developed a behavioral space model to calculate the necessary space allowance for birds to perform natural behaviors like wing-flapping and bathing.

The Case Against Cages

The report’s overarching conclusion is stark: husbandry systems commonly referred to as “cages” should be avoided. This applies to individual, couple, and collective cages, as well as the small pens used during the overfeeding phase of foie gras production.

The assessment found that birds housed in cages experience a high risk of negative welfare consequences compared to those in floor systems. The cramped conditions make it impossible for birds to explore, forage, or interact socially in natural ways, leading to frustration, aggression, and serious injuries.

Specific Needs Of Ducks And Geese

For ducks and geese, access to open water isn’t just a preference — it’s a biological necessity. The study highlights that these birds need water to maintain their plumage, clean their eyes and nostrils, and regulate their body temperature.

• Water access: Systems that only provide nipple drinkers are insufficient. Waterfowl require open water facilities that allow, at a minimum, head-dipping. Ideally, they should have enough water for full-body bathing, swimming, and diving.
• Flooring: The report recommends solid floors with dry, friable litter for indoor housing. Perforated floors should only be used around water sources to ensure drainage. Solid floors with litter are crucial for preventing footpad dermatitis and allowing foraging behaviors.
• Outdoor access: Providing outdoor access is key for foraging opportunities, promoting sieving behavior (filtering water or mud for food) for all waterfowl species and allowing geese in particular to graze.

Specific Needs Of Quails

When startled, quails have a natural instinct to jump or fly vertically. In low cages, this often results in head injuries. The study notes that higher minimum enclosure heights are necessary to allow quails to jump and fly safely.

• Dust-bathing: Beyond physical injuries, barren wire environments force quails to perform “sham” dust-bathing — miming the action of cleaning their feathers without any substrate. They require specific areas with fine material, such as sand, to maintain their plumage.
• Nesting: Layer quails have a strong preference for laying eggs in covered, secluded areas. The report confirms that providing nest boxes reduces frustration and improves welfare.
• Outdoor access: Because there are no scientific studies on the welfare costs and benefits of full outdoor access for quails, covered verandas are recommended. These allow birds to experience natural light and outdoor climatic conditions while providing substrates that promote foraging and comfort behaviors.

Keep Pushing For An End To Cages

This scientific opinion provides robust evidence that the current cage systems used for farmed birds in the E.U. are detrimental to animal welfare. Advocates can use these findings to support legislative bans on cages.

Key takeaways for advocacy include:

• Push for floor systems: The data clearly shows that indoor floor systems (especially those with outdoor access) provide better welfare outcomes than cages for all species studied.
• Demand enrichment: Simply removing cages isn’t enough. Legislation must mandate specific enrichment, such as open water for ducks and geese, and dust baths and hiding places for quails.
• Highlight space and height requirements: The report provides specific heights and specific calculations for the space birds need to move freely. Advocates can cite this to argue against high stocking densities that prevent basic movements like wing-flapping.

The report concludes that to prevent severe welfare compromises, including stress, injuries, and the inability to express natural behaviors, birds shouldn’t be kept in cages. Instead, they require housing that offers solid, littered floors, ample space, and species-specific enrichment like open water or dust baths. For animal advocates, this document serves as a critical tool in the fight to secure legal protections for millions of farmed birds — not only in the E.U., but wherever these animals are kept in such restrictive environments.

This summary was drafted by a large language model (LLM) and closely edited by our Research Library Manager for clarity and accuracy. As per our AI policy, Faunalytics only uses LLMs to summarize very long reports (50+ pages) that are not appropriate to assign to volunteers, as well as studies that contain graphic descriptions of animal cruelty or animal industries. We remain committed to bringing you reliable data, which is why any AI-generated work will always be reviewed by a human.