Ducks have unique welfare needs centred on water access that are poorly addressed in most commercial duck farming systems, including so-called welfare-certified production.
Duck welfare centres on a fundamental physiological requirement: access to open water. Ducks without water for bathing develop eye infections, bill deformities and feather conditions because their normal eye-cleaning and bill-foraging behaviours require immersion. Most commercial duck farms provide drinkers but not open water, violating a basic welfare requirement that is unique to waterfowl. The economic case for water provision has been made — farms with water access show lower mortality and better feather condition — yet adoption across the industry remains incomplete due to litter management challenges associated with wet conditions.