Farmed Duck Welfare: Water Access, Stocking Density, and Industry Change

Ducks are waterfowl with strong motivation for water immersion, yet commercial duck farming often denies this. Industry reform is underway following campaigning and retailer pressure.

Key Facts

Over 15 million ducks are farmed in the UK annually, mostly for meat
Ducks are highly motivated to immerse their bills and heads in water
Standard commercial duck housing often provides only nipple drinkers without open water
Scientific evidence shows strong welfare benefit from even minimal open water provision
Some retailers now require open water access in their duck supply chains
Stocking density in intensive duck production averages 25-30kg/m2

Welfare Considerations

Ducks denied access to open water cannot perform important comfort behaviours including bill dunking, eye washing, and feather maintenance. Bill dunking regulates body temperature and eye health. Ducks without adequate water access show compromised feather condition, eye irritation, and frustrated behaviour. These are sustained welfare deficits experienced throughout the production cycle. Access to even simple troughs or sprinklers provides meaningful welfare improvement at modest cost.

What You Can Do

Choose duck products from farms providing open water access (RSPCA Assured, organic)
Encourage retailers to require open water access in duck welfare standards
Support organisations campaigning for legislative minimum water standards for farmed ducks
Reduce or eliminate duck meat consumption from non-welfare-assured sources
Raise awareness of the open water issue among retailers and consumers