Water for Domestic Ducks: The Benefits and Challenges in Commercial Production

Abstract

Although we have been farming ducks for at least 4,000 years, with some accounts suggesting domestication having begun more than 38,000 years ago, there are still many unknowns for optimizing domestic duck welfare in a commercial setting. Ducks being waterfowl, are semi-aquatic and have unique behavioral needs when compared to other commonly farmed poultry species. Providing ducks with open water which allows for full body immersion so that they may perform their full repertoire of water-related behaviors is important for their health and welfare. However, in a commercial setting this remains challenging due to biosecurity, contamination, health, and management concerns. An important question is therefore how best to provide ducks with a commercially feasible and safe water source in which they can derive maximum welfare and health benefits with no adverse consequences to health or global water resources. This review considers the amount of water provision necessary to satisfy duck's water-related needs to enhance yet not compromise their welfare in a commercial setting based on current knowledge, as well as identifies the outstanding questions for future research to address.

Effect of Rearing Method and Varying Energy Levels on Performance and Growth Rate of Male Kamang Ducks

“…Therefore, a good weight gain was found in duck care with pools. Likewise, the opinion of Babington and Campbell (2022) stated that Ducks like areas or edges of water for resting, standing, and foraging simultaneously with other ducks, such as lakes or pools. Similarly, Pangemanan et al (2019) explained that ducks released in rivers or swamps usually look for feed in the form of snails or other small insects.…”

“…Ducks are semi-aquatic animals that under natural conditions will spend a large part of their lives in or around water (Babington and Campbell, 2022). Ducks need sufficient clean water to drink, dip their whole head so that it becomes clear and avoid stuffy noses with feed and mud Besides, the pond also lowers the body temperature when the environment is hot (Nicol et al, 2017).…”

Effects of Swimming Pool Conditions and Floor Types on White Roman Geese’s Physical Condition Scores and Behaviors in an Indoor Rearing System

“…The standard recommendations of the Standing Committee of the European Convention for the Protection of Farm Animals suggest that when raising geese indoors, open water sources should be provided as much as possible even in the absence of a pool [ 13 ]. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that water-related behaviors are irreplaceable for waterfowl [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Open water sources can enhance the well-being and behavior of waterfowl, such as ducks and geese.…”

“…Open water sources can enhance the well-being and behavior of waterfowl, such as ducks and geese. Furthermore, they can improve scoring indicators, such as feather quality; feather, eye, and nostril cleanliness; gait; and footpad dermatitis [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. However, a water pool is a crucial medium through which ducks can transmit avian influenza virus [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]; when they drink, dabble, or preen in virus-contaminated pools, they may become infected, posing a high biosecurity threat to poultry farms.…”

“…Perforated floors are increasingly being used for intensive duck and goose farming [ 8 , 16 , 17 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. By reducing the likelihood of birds being exposed to manure, dust, and pollutants, perforated floors maintain biosecurity more effectively than litter floors [ 32 ].…”