Ducks are semi-aquatic birds with strong motivation to access open water for bathing, preening, and foraging. Intensive duck farming systems that deny water access fail to meet this fundamental behavioural need.
Farmed duck welfare is compromised significantly by the absence of adequate water access in most intensive production systems. Ducks are not anatomically or behaviourally equivalent to chickens — they are water birds whose biology, plumage structure, and behavioural repertoire are adapted for semi-aquatic life. Denying water access causes frustration, impaired feather condition, elevated stress, and the loss of a broad range of natural comfort and foraging behaviours. Simple provision of water troughs deep enough for bill immersion significantly improves welfare, with minimal production cost. Open water systems that allow swimming and bathing provide even greater welfare benefit. Consumer demand for higher-welfare duck products and supply chain commitments to water access requirements are the most direct drivers of improvement.