Duck farming presents specific welfare challenges because ducks evolved as waterfowl but are often kept in systems that deny access to open water.
Denying waterfowl access to open water is a fundamental welfare failure because bathing, bill dipping, and swimming are core behavioral needs. Eye infections and nasal blockages are common in ducks without adequate water. Force-feeding for foie gras production causes liver pathology, aspiration pneumonia, and acute distress during the feeding process. High-growth Pekin breeds suffer from the same leg disorders and cardiovascular strain as broiler chickens. Welfare certification schemes for duck farming are less developed than for chicken production, leaving significant regulatory gaps.