Ducks are farmed for meat and foie gras. Their welfare needs — particularly access to water for bathing and swimming — are almost universally unmet in commercial duck farming systems.
Duck farming is one of the most welfare-neglected areas of food animal production. Ducks evolved as aquatic birds whose behavioral needs center on water immersion — for feeding, bathing, thermoregulation, and social behavior. Commercial systems that provide only nipple drinkers deny these fundamental needs, resulting in eye inflammation, dirty plumage, and frustrated behavioral drives. Foie gras production adds the additional welfare harm of force-feeding. Higher welfare duck systems that provide bathing water or ponds are achievable and demonstrate that meeting duck needs is practical. Consumer awareness and retailer standards are the primary drivers of improvement in an area where regulation lags far behind.