Farmed Duck Welfare and Water Access

Domestic ducks are waterfowl with strong motivations to immerse their bills, preen, and swim, making the waterless or water-restricted environments of most commercial duck farms a significant source of chronic welfare deprivation.

Key Facts

Ducks are highly motivated to immerse their heads in water for feeding, drinking, and eye-cleaning
Ducks without open water show increased frustration behaviors and ocular infections
Commercial duck farms typically provide nipple drinkers that prevent immersion
Providing open water containers measurably reduces abnormal behaviors and eye problems at low cost
Duck welfare standards in the EU now require open water access in certified systems

Welfare Considerations

Ducks kept without water access for immersion show behavioral indicators of frustration and develop eye problems from inability to clean their eyes naturally. The motivation to bathe is so strong that ducks will use whatever water is available intensively, even when open water is first provided to previously water-deprived animals. The welfare cost of water deprivation in commercial ducks is well-documented and the provision of open water is inexpensive relative to production costs.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from farms certified as providing open water access
Support EU and international duck welfare standards requiring open water
Advocate for water access requirements in duck farm licensing
Raise awareness among consumers about duck welfare and open water provision
Donate to campaigns working to improve commercial duck farming standards