Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Duck Welfare and Water Access

Ducks are aquatic birds with strong behavioral needs for water that commercial farming frequently fails to meet.

Key Facts

Approximately 3.5 billion ducks are farmed globally each year, primarily in Asia
Ducks use water for preening, bathing, and foraging — behaviors essential to health and welfare
Eye and bill problems are significantly higher in ducks denied open water access
Providing water nipple drinkers rather than baths increases respiratory disease rates in commercial ducks
Foie gras production through force-feeding causes liver disease and acute distress

Welfare Considerations

Water access is not optional enrichment for ducks — it is a biological necessity for maintaining eye and bill health. Farming systems that deny ducks open water access create predictable, preventable welfare harms. The science is clear; the barrier is economic, as providing water baths increases management complexity.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from farms with certified open water access for ducks
Support campaigns to ban foie gras production and sale in your jurisdiction
Advocate for minimum water access standards in duck farming welfare legislation