Farmed Duck Welfare: Water Access and Housing

Ducks are water birds with strong motivation to swim, bathe, and forage in water. Intensive production systems that deny water access cause significant welfare deprivation.

Key Facts

Over 3 billion ducks are farmed globally each year, primarily in Asia
Ducks are obligate water birds whose eye health, bill function, and preening all require water immersion
Most commercially farmed ducks have no access to open water, ponds, or even bathing facilities
Ducks denied water access develop eye problems, feather quality issues, and cannot properly clean their bills
The UK requires water sources for ducks to allow bathing; no such requirements exist in most other countries

Welfare Considerations

Farmed duck welfare centers on the fundamental incompatibility between duck biology and intensive dry housing. Ducks are physiologically and behaviorally adapted for aquatic environments — their eyes need regular water immersion to stay healthy, their bills require water to sieve food and remove nasal secretions, and their preening is designed for waterproof feather maintenance. Denying water access prevents ducks from performing behaviors that are central to their health and wellbeing. The result is ocular discharge, respiratory issues, feather damage, and chronic frustration. Even simple open drinkers that allow bill immersion represent a significant welfare improvement over nipple drinkers alone. Full swimming access represents the gold standard.

What You Can Do

Reduce duck consumption or choose duck from farms that provide water access for swimming and bathing
Support campaigns for mandatory water access requirements for farmed ducks in all jurisdictions
Ask retailers whether their duck products come from farms providing water access
Support Compassion in World Farming campaigns for duck welfare reform
Advocate for duck welfare to be explicitly addressed in national farming welfare codes