Welfare standards for farmed ducks are improving through provision of water for bathing, better housing designs, and growing consumer and retailer interest in higher-welfare duck products.
Duck welfare improvement hinges primarily on the provision of adequate water for bathing and preening. These behaviors are not optional luxuries but species-specific needs strongly linked to duck welfare outcomes. Eye health, feather condition, and behavioral repertoire are all significantly better in ducks with water access compared to those restricted to drinking water only. The management challenges of providing water - wet litter, increased labor - are real but solvable and have been demonstrated in certified welfare systems. Consumer and retailer demand for certified welfare duck products creates the commercial incentive needed to drive wider adoption of water provision standards.