Ducks are semi-aquatic birds with strong motivations to access open water for bathing, foraging, and preening. Denying water access in intensive systems causes significant welfare compromise.
Duck welfare in intensive production is fundamentally compromised by the denial of meaningful water access. Ducks evolved as semi-aquatic birds; their entire body plan, from bill to feather structure, is adapted for interaction with water. Eye health depends on regular immersion for cleaning; feather waterproofing requires bathing that nipple drinkers cannot provide. The strong motivation to access water is demonstrated by priority tests showing ducks will overcome significant barriers to access bathing water when given the choice. Progressive welfare standards require at minimum open troughs that allow head immersion, and ideally shower or bath systems that allow genuine bathing behaviour. This single intervention represents the highest-priority improvement for farmed duck welfare.