Ducks are waterfowl with strong motivation to access open water for bathing and foraging, making water access a central welfare issue in farmed systems.
Denying ducks access to open water prevents natural preening behaviour that maintains feather waterproofing and cleanliness. Without head-immersion water, ducks develop eye infections, respiratory problems, and dirty plumage that impairs thermoregulation. The welfare case for open water access is strong and achievable through simple trough provision, yet is absent from most commercial duck production.