Ducks are semi-aquatic birds with strong behavioural needs for open water, yet most commercially farmed ducks worldwide are raised without adequate water access, causing significant welfare impairment.
Denying ducks open water access represents a profound mismatch between housing conditions and species-specific needs. Without water for bathing, ducks cannot properly maintain feather condition, clean their eyes and bills, or perform thermoregulation. Behavioural frustration is evident in the intensity of bathing responses when ducks are finally given water access. Eye infections and respiratory problems increase without bill-dipping opportunities. Some producers provide open water drinkers as a compromise, reducing but not eliminating welfare deficits compared to full pond access. Higher welfare certification systems increasingly require meaningful water access for farmed ducks.