Duck meat production is growing globally, particularly in Asia. Ducks have specific water access needs that intensive farming systems routinely fail to meet, creating significant welfare deficits.
Farmed ducks are among the most under-regulated and under-studied poultry species in terms of welfare. Their semi-aquatic nature creates a specific and measurable welfare need for water access that intensive housing systems routinely deny or inadequately address. Ducks without access to sufficient open water for eye and nare cleaning develop eye discharge and respiratory problems; those denied bathing water show frustrated bathing behavior on dry substrate. The welfare deficit compounds with lameness, which is common in fast-growing meat ducks: a lame duck cannot reach water even when it is available. Implementing minimum water access standards as a regulatory requirement would represent a significant welfare improvement for billions of ducks globally.