Ducks are highly motivated to access open water for swimming, bathing, and bill-dipping behaviors. Denying this access causes measurable welfare harm that enrichment programs can address.
Ducks denied access to open water for bathing are denied one of their most fundamental behavioral needs. The physical consequences - eye problems, poor plumage condition, impaired thermoregulation - indicate that water is not simply a preference but a biological requirement for ducks. Higher-welfare farming systems that provide open water access have measurably better animal welfare outcomes. The cost of providing open water is real but manageable, particularly when reduced disease rates and better plumage condition are factored into the equation. Consumer demand for welfare-certified duck products with verified water access standards drives the commercial case for change.