Farmed Duck Water Access and Welfare

Ducks are waterfowl with strong behavioral motivation to immerse their heads and preen in open water, but many commercial duck production systems provide no open water access.

Key Facts

Domestic ducks retain the same water-use behaviors as their wild mallard ancestors
Head immersion is required for ducks to clean their eyes, nares, and plumage effectively
Eye and respiratory problems are more common in ducks without adequate water access
Open water systems including ponds and showers are provided in higher welfare operations
Several European countries require minimum water provision standards for farmed ducks

Welfare Considerations

Denying ducks access to open water is one of the most clear-cut mismatches between animal behavioral needs and standard production systems. Ducks have a physiological requirement to immerse their heads in water for sensory cleaning that cannot be met by drinker nipples. Eye infections and respiratory disease resulting from this deprivation represent predictable, preventable welfare harms. Water provision for farmed ducks is among the most cost-effective welfare improvements producers can implement.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products certified under standards requiring open water access
Advocate for minimum water provision standards for farmed ducks in national regulations
Support campaigns targeting major retailers to source duck products from water-access systems
Learn about duck behavioral needs to better evaluate farm welfare claims