Ducks are a significant but often overlooked commercial species. Their unique biology and water needs create specific welfare challenges in intensive production systems.
Commercial duck production largely ignores the fundamental behavioral biology of these birds. Ducks evolved for aquatic environments — their bills, eyes, feathers, and behavioral repertoire all depend on access to water for bathing and swimming. Providing only nipple drinkers denies ducks the ability to perform essential maintenance behaviors: they cannot clean their eyes, ears, or nares; cannot preen properly; and cannot thermoregulate effectively. This water deprivation is a systematic welfare failure affecting billions of birds. Additionally, the live plucking of down from ducks is a particularly cruel practice that remains widespread in some producing countries. Traceability in the down supply chain is poor, making consumer avoidance of live-plucked products difficult without strong certification.