Farmed Animal Welfare

Farmed Duck Welfare: Water Access and Housing Reform

Ducks are highly water-motivated birds that suffer significantly when farmed without access to bathing and swimming water, making water access a central welfare reform priority.

Key Facts

Most farmed ducks globally are raised without any open water access for swimming or bathing
Ducks preen with water to maintain feather waterproofing and regulate eye, nostril, and bill health
Without water immersion, eye infections, bill malformation, and feather deterioration are common
The UK requires that farmed ducks have access to sufficient water to submerge their head
China produces approximately 3 billion ducks annually, representing the vast majority of global production

Welfare Considerations

Water access is not a luxury for ducks — it is a biological necessity for maintaining feather condition, eye health, and thermoregulation. Conventional intensive duck farming without water access fails to meet even basic behavioral needs. Even simple nipple drinkers with sufficient flow for head dunking represent a significant welfare improvement over dry housing. Open water troughs and bathing areas provide the greatest welfare benefit.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from producers that provide water access for bathing and bill washing
Advocate for minimum water access requirements in duck farming standards in your country
Support duck welfare research organizations developing and validating housing standards