Ducks are waterfowl with strong behavioural drives to access water for bathing, preening and feeding, yet most commercially farmed ducks are denied adequate water access.
Ducks deprived of water access for bathing and preening develop welfare problems including dirty feathers, eye infections and loss of waterproofing. These are not merely aesthetic issues - poor feather condition affects thermoregulation and skin health. Improving water access is a cost-effective welfare improvement for duck farms.