Ducks have evolved as water-adapted birds with strong motivations to access open water for bathing and preening, yet commercial duck farming frequently denies them any water access beyond drinking nipples.
Duck welfare is one of the most significant gaps in commercial poultry welfare standards. The species has evolved specifically for life on and around water, with anatomical and behavioural features including waterproof feathers, nasal cleaning ducts, and immersion-dependent preening that depend on open water access to function. Denying ducks access to open water is analogous to keeping fish without water in terms of the mismatch between husbandry and fundamental species needs. The welfare improvements from providing simple water baths or pans are substantial and the cost is modest, yet adoption in commercial duck farming remains low because welfare standards do not require it. Consumer and retail pressure has the potential to drive rapid change in this area.