Ducks are aquatic birds with strong behavioral motivation for water immersion, yet the majority of farmed ducks have no access to open water. This fundamental deprivation causes significant welfare harm.
Duck welfare in commercial systems is fundamentally compromised by denial of water access. Water immersion, bathing, and preening using water are high-priority behaviors for waterfowl. Without bathing water, plumage becomes dirty and loses waterproofing, causing discomfort. Eye infections and nasal discharge are more common without water for rinsing. The deprivation of this strongly motivated behavior causes chronic frustration analogous to denying pigs the ability to root. Even simple provision of bathing stations rather than full immersion pools dramatically improves behavioral welfare for farmed ducks. Foie gras production involving force-feeding to enlarge the liver causes acute distress and hepatic pain during the gavage process, representing one of the most welfare-compromising practices in food production.