Ducks are semi-aquatic birds with strong behavioral needs for water access. Most commercial duck farming denies these needs, creating significant welfare deficits for hundreds of millions of birds.
Farmed duck welfare is compromised by the almost universal denial of water for bathing in commercial systems. Ducks have an evolutionary need to bathe and preen with water - their waterproof feather structure requires maintenance through aquatic preening behavior that cannot be replicated with nipple drinkers. Without adequate water access, eye discharge accumulates, nasal passages become blocked, and feather condition deteriorates. Eye and nasal irritation causes chronic discomfort. The welfare gap between ducks with and without water access is readily observable - ducks given troughs or showers spend extensive time in water-related behaviors indicating strong motivation. The cost of providing water access is marginal compared to the welfare benefit, making the lack of provision primarily a management convenience decision rather than a genuine constraint.