Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Duck Welfare and Water Access

Farmed ducks have strong motivation for access to open water for bathing, preening and feeding that is frustrated in most commercial production systems.

Key Facts

Ducks spend 30-40% of time on water in natural conditions for feeding and social behaviour
Nipple drinkers in standard commercial systems prevent bill immersion and eye cleaning
Provision of open water for bathing significantly improves feather and eye health
UK Freedom Foods standards require ducks to have bathing water access
Higher stocking densities make open water provision more difficult to manage hygienically

Welfare Considerations

Water access frustration is one of the most pervasive welfare problems in commercial duck production. Without open water, ducks cannot clean their eyes and bill or engage in normal preening. Provision of adequate bathing water is a fundamental welfare requirement for farmed ducks.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products certified to standards requiring bathing water provision
Advocate for mandatory open water access requirements in duck farming legislation
Support higher-welfare duck certification schemes that exceed minimum water standards