Ducks have specialized behavioral needs rooted in their semi-aquatic nature. Conventional duck farming often denies access to open water, causing significant welfare deficits that better practices can address.
Duck welfare in conventional farming is compromised by the systematic denial of their strongest behavioral motivations. Water is not simply a preference for ducks — it is a biological necessity for eye health, nasal hygiene, feather condition, and thermoregulation. Ducks kept without open water access develop ocular and nasal discharge, impaired feather waterproofing, and elevated stress indicators. Providing even simple open water features like troughs or shallow pools dramatically improves welfare outcomes at relatively low cost. Welfare-certified duck standards in some countries now require open water access, demonstrating commercial viability of higher-welfare production.