Domestic ducks retain strong behavioral needs for water access that intensive farming systems frequently deny, creating significant welfare deficits in commercial production.
Duck water access welfare is a case where production optimization has directly overridden basic behavioral needs. Nipple drinkers meet hydration requirements while eliminating the mess, cost, and management challenges of open water provision. But ducks without immersible water are denied behaviors they are highly motivated to perform and that serve critical health functions — particularly eye cleaning that prevents the eye conditions documented in water-deprived ducks. The welfare evidence is clear and the behavioral science unambiguous: ducks need more than hydration water. Welfare certification schemes that require open water access are improving outcomes, but most commercial duck production globally remains below this standard.