Ensure constant access to fresh, clean water

Provide unlimited access to fresh drinking water during all daylight hours. A laying duck drinks significantly more than a non-laying duck — roughly 1 liter (1 quart) per day or more in warm weather. Duck eggs are approximately 70% water by weight, so even brief dehydration directly reduces egg production. Water must be deep enough for full head submersion to keep nostrils and eyes clean.

Why It Works

Water is essential for every stage of egg formation — from yolk development to albumen production to shell mineralization. A dehydrated duck reduces or stops ovulation within 24–48 hours and may not resume full production for 1–2 weeks after water access is restored. Ducks also need water while eating to wash food down, as they cannot swallow dry feed without it.

Tips

• Ensure water is at least 4–6 inches deep for bill and head submersion
• Refill and clean waterers 1–3 times daily — ducks foul water rapidly
• In freezing weather, use heated waterers or swap fresh water twice daily
• Ducks can go overnight without water if provided immediately upon morning release