The filth often results in painful ammonia burns from rising urine levels. Most never feel the sun, wind, or rain on their backs just artificial light. Unsurprisingly, many ducks become diseased and die. In the crowded sheds, others are pushed on to their backs where, unable to right themselves, they starve to death. Those kept on wire floors or in cages often suffer from untreated abrasions, bruises, and tears on their feet.
Ducks eat by dabbling straining plankton and tasty morsels from the water through their bills.
This vital organ is as sensitive as human fingertips. Despite this, some duck farmers shorten the upper bill by burning or cutting it without painkillers. It is done to control feather pulling behavior caused by the unnatural environment. This mutilation can lead to constant pain and even makes normal eating difficult. Forcibly Starved Breeding stock, which supply the eggs for hatching, are forced into molting by being forcibly starved.