Inside a U.S. Foie Gras Farm: Ducks Force-Fed for Diseased Livers

My name is Sean, and I am the International Director of Investigations for Animal Equality. 

Today, I want to tell you about my first experience on a foie gras farm. 

Foie gras is often considered a French “luxury” dish. It is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell to ten times their normal size. 

As an investigator for over 25 years, I happened to document the conditions at a large foie gras company in the United States. 

All these years later, the experience is still burned into my memory. 

I saw hundreds of ducks crammed into small pens. They had just been force-fed and were covered in their own vomit.

Many had wounds caused by the large metal tubes shoved down their throats. Some of them even had broken beaks and infections blocking their throats.

When the manager gave me a tour of the slaughtering area, ducks were carried in large crates and hung by their feet, still fully conscious. Then, their throats were slit.

According to the manager, it takes 17 minutes for the blood to drain from a duck’s body.

As the manager continued his tour, workers continued to hang ducks by their legs and slit their throats. As others waited their turns for slaughter, they gasped for air and stretched their necks outside the crates in an attempt to escape. 

Those cries continue to haunt me. 

The foie gras industry is a mystery to most people. But you are one of the few who know what really goes on behind closed doors. 

That’s why these animals need your help. 

Investigations are crucial to spreading awareness about foie gras. But it’s the support of people like you that allows my investigation team to continue its work. 

Right now, Animal Equality is in the midst of its Matching Gift Campaign. Until December 31st or our global goal of $1.1 million, an anonymous supporter has agreed to double your gift to Animal Equality. 

This means your gift of $50 will become $100, and your gift of $100 will become $200. 

And while each dollar usually impacts 26 animals, it will now impact 52. 

But that’s not all you can do for animals trapped on factory farms. 

Just like these ducks, other farmed animals suffer for food. By choosing plant-based proteins, you can spare pigs, cows, and chickens from the same anguish I witnessed that day. 

Can I count on you in this battle against animal cruelty?

With gratitude,

Sean Thomas