Duck welfare in farming encompasses water access needs, housing design, and the specific welfare problems of foie gras production. Each area has distinct welfare challenges and policy responses.
Duck welfare encapsulates some of the clearest welfare debates in farm animal ethics. The need for water access is supported by strong behavioral evidence: ducks in water-free systems spend significant time attempting water-directed behaviors at drinkers, indicating frustration of a significant behavioral drive. Providing adequate water access is technically challenging in intensive production but is essential for genuine welfare. Foie gras production represents the most extreme example of a legally banned welfare harm that persists in some countries through importation loopholes - consumers in countries that have banned force-feeding continue to purchase imported foie gras made by the methods they banned. Closing these loopholes and refusing to purchase foie gras are both meaningful welfare actions.