Farm Animal Welfare

Duck Welfare and Water Access in Farming

Ducks are semi-aquatic birds with strong behavioral needs for open water. Denying water access in commercial systems causes significant welfare harm.

Key Facts

Ducks spend up to 30% of their active time engaged in water-related behavior in natural conditions
Commercial duck housing typically provides only drinking nipples without bathing or swimming water
Studies show ducks strongly prefer open water for bathing and consistently spend time at water sources when provided
Skin and eye conditions are more prevalent in ducks without bathing water access
UK and EU legislation does not require open water for farmed ducks beyond drinking provisions

Welfare Considerations

Water access is a fundamental behavioral need for ducks that commercial farming almost universally denies. The preference for water-related behavior is not a minor luxury but a core motivational drive deeply embedded in duck evolution. Providing even basic bathing troughs dramatically improves behavioral welfare at modest cost.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products certified by schemes requiring open water access for bathing
Support campaigns advocating for EU legislation requiring water access for farmed ducks
Reduce duck consumption given the almost universal absence of water access in commercial systems
Contact food companies selling duck products about their water access welfare requirements