Ducks are semi-aquatic birds whose welfare needs are systematically compromised in most commercial duck farming systems. The absence of open water access is one of the most significant and widespread welfare failures.
Duck welfare in commercial systems is compromised by a fundamental mismatch between species needs and production environments. Ducks evolved as aquatic birds and have strong behavioural drives to use water for feeding, bathing, and body maintenance. Confinement to dry systems with only nipple drinkers denies these drives entirely. The welfare consequences are measurable: ocular and nasal discharge, feather quality deterioration, and suppression of natural bathing and foraging behaviours are documented in waterless systems. Rapid-growth breeds suffer lameness from leg abnormalities. Foie gras production causes liver disease through force-feeding, with birds unable to escape the process. Higher welfare standards for ducks require water provision as a minimum — a simple, achievable change with significant welfare benefit.