Farmed Duck Advances in Welfare: Water Access and Housing

Duck welfare has improved significantly with growing scientific understanding of their specific needs, particularly regarding water access, but significant welfare gaps remain in commercial production.

Key Facts

Ducks are obligate aquatic birds that have evolved to swim, bathe, and forage in water
Commercial duck production in the UK often provides only drinking water, not bathing or swimming water
Research shows ducks in systems without open water show higher rates of eye disease, dirty plumage, and nasal blockage
RSPCA Assured duck standards require sufficient open water for ducks to immerse their heads and wings
The UK farms approximately 19 million ducks annually, predominantly Pekin ducks for meat
Ducks prefer to drink from open water sources rather than nipple drinkers, which fail to clean their nares and eyes
Housing design for ducks should accommodate their waddling gait - solid floors with good drainage are preferable to wire

Welfare Considerations

Duck welfare is significantly compromised in production systems without meaningful water access. Ducks' physiological needs for water to clean their eyes, nares, and feathers are well-established - the inability to perform these behaviours causes painful eye infections, blocked nares, and poor feather condition. Consumer choice of RSPCA Assured duck products, which require open water access, directly funds higher-welfare production. Advocacy for water access requirements in all commercial duck production would improve welfare for the millions of ducks in lower-welfare systems.

What You Can Do

Choose RSPCA Assured duck products that require open water access for head and wing immersion
Ask retailers about water access standards for their duck suppliers
Advocate for water access to be mandatory in all commercial duck production welfare standards
Support research into duck welfare assessment tools for farm use
Reduce duck consumption when higher-welfare certified options are unavailable