Ducks evolved as semi-aquatic birds with strong motivation to access water for bathing, swimming, and foraging. Denying water access in commercial duck farming causes significant and well-documented welfare harm.
Duck water welfare represents one of the clearest examples of a welfare need being legally denied for economic reasons. Ducks are obligate bill-cleaners: they require water to clean mucus and debris from their nasal passages and bill, an activity that cannot be performed with nipple drinkers. Inability to clean the bill causes eye and nostril discharge, secondary infections, and measurable ocular welfare compromise. Beyond bill hygiene, bathing water engages core natural behaviours: preening, feather maintenance, social bathing, and comfort behaviour. Research consistently demonstrates that ducks strongly prefer bathing water over drinkers when given choice, spending significant time in water when available. The welfare case for open water provision is scientifically robust; the barriers are primarily the additional labour and biosecurity costs of maintaining bathing water in commercial production.