Under attack by animal-rights activists, a prominent chef and his partners have promised to improve conditions at their farm, where they force-feed ducks to make the French delicacy foie gras.

Laurent Manrique and his partners told the San Francisco Chronicle they will hire a French scientist who specializes in foie gras production to evaluate their farm near Stockton, east of San Francisco.

``We don't have cages, true, but it is not enough,'' said Didier Jaubert, one of the partners. ``There are sometimes animals who are sick, and they need to be taken care of right away. There are a set of rules and regulations, but the idea would be to go beyond these rules and have the best production.''

Vandals struck the farm's new specialty foods shop last month, apparently protesting the treatment of the animals. They spray-painted the interior and flooded the restaurant by pouring dry concrete down the drains then turning on the taps.

Vandals also spray-painted ``murderer,'' on Manrique's home, poured acid on his car and left a threatening videotape.

Police estimated damages from the attacks at over $60,000.

The specialty food shop, which was intended to showcase products from the duck farm, will open next month and focus on other gourmet foods.

The partners also have scrapped their logo depicting a smiling duck.

To make foie gras, geese or ducks are force-fed during the last weeks of their lives through tubes inserted down their throats. Grain is then pneumatically shot into their bellies to fatten their livers.

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