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Ducks - key welfare issues

Farmed duck drinking from nipple drinker © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary

We are concerned about the welfare of farmed ducks and are working to improve the welfare of ducks at all stages of production.


Access to open water sources

We believe that, as ducks are waterfowl, they should be provided with full body access to hygienically managed open water sources that enable them to carry out their water-related behaviours, such as preening and head dipping.


Unfortunately current UK law does not require water to be provided to ducks for anything other than drinking, and ducks may only have access to water from drinkers such as nipple drinkers (pictured above).


We believe the law should be changed so that producers are legally required to provide farmed ducks with suitable open water facilities that allow them fully body access.

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