Farm Animals

Farmed Duck Housing and Natural Behaviour

Domestic ducks retain strong behavioural needs for water access, exploration, and social activity that intensive housing systems frequently fail to meet.

Key Facts

Ducks have a strong motivation to immerse the head and bill in water
Bill-dipping is important for eye health and feeding behaviour
Dense indoor housing restricts movement and social flight responses
Open-range systems allow expression of foraging, dustbathing, and social behaviour
Water provision is the single most significant welfare improvement for housed ducks

Welfare Considerations

Ducks kept in fully enclosed systems without adequate water access suffer significant deprivation of species-specific behaviour. Providing sufficient water for bill-dipping and bathing, along with outdoor access, addresses core duck welfare needs.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from higher welfare certified systems
Support campaigns for minimum water access standards for farmed ducks
Reduce consumption of duck products from intensive systems