Farmed ducks have specific welfare needs as water birds that are almost never met in commercial production.
Water is not merely enrichment for ducks but a basic physiological need. Without water to submerge their heads, ducks develop eye infections, nasal blockage, and cannot perform normal preening. Commercial duck production denies this basic need to billions of birds. Foie gras force-feeding causes the additional welfare harm of gavage and liver disease. The welfare gap in duck farming is systematic and largely invisible to consumers.