Ducks are aquatic birds with strong motivations to access water for bathing and foraging, needs that are almost entirely frustrated in commercial duck production.
The motivation to access open water is fundamental to duck welfare. Ducks deprived of bathing water cannot maintain normal feather condition, which affects thermoregulation and waterproofing. Eye and nasal problems occur when ducks cannot clear their nares and eyes with water. Foot problems arise from wet litter without appropriate bathing. The contrast between farmed duck welfare and the ecological niche for which they evolved is stark. Higher-welfare systems with water access are commercially viable as demonstrated by premium UK producers.