Duck farming presents distinctive welfare challenges related to water access, foraging behaviour, and the specific needs of an aquatic species raised in terrestrial systems.
Duck welfare is frequently overlooked compared to broiler and laying hen welfare despite ducks being produced in significant numbers globally. The critical welfare issue is water access: ducks are physiologically and behaviourally adapted to aquatic environments. Their bills are designed to filter and flush water continuously — inadequate water access causes bill abnormalities, eye and nostril infections (ducks clean their eyes with water), and feather condition deterioration. Ducks in systems without immersion water show high rates of these pathologies. The welfare argument for providing at minimum an open drinker allowing head immersion, and ideally bathing water, is compelling. Higher-welfare duck production systems in Europe provide paddling pools or shower systems, demonstrating practical feasibility. Consumer demand for welfare-assured duck products, as exists for chicken, would drive equivalent standard-setting.