Cris
Ducks vs Chickens for Homesteads
I am going to just start by throwing it out there: I prefer DUCKS! While basically the same, you have a cute little bird that has its own personality and gives food. I still prefer ducks. How do you choose between ducks vs chickens for homesteads?
My biggest problem with chickens is all of the clucking! They cluck like happy little critters when they lay, lots of people love this. However, chickens will lay all day long, so one or more will cluck all day long. Plus the chance of getting a rooster in that batch you just picked up is pretty good. Don’t get me started on how annoying a rooster can be when he crows at 3 am.
Ducks quack, and loudly at that! They just don’t do it as much as chickens do (in my opinion). Ducks reliably lay their eggs before sunup, every single day. No waiting for breakfast with these birds, fresh eggs as soon as you are ready. If you do get a male with those ducklings, don’t fret males are quieter than the females.
Differences in Care for Ducks and Chickens
Not too much actually. Contrary to popular belief, ducks do not need a pond but will do much better with one. Mine have a plastic kiddie pool that we move around the yard each day to spread out the fertilizer. They simply need a water dish deep enough to get their whole beak in. They can eat the same foods as chickens, and they will both scavenge for bugs all day long.
Before running out and buying either chickens or ducks, check your local laws to see if it is permitted. I actually passed on living in an entire town for their chicken regulations. I actually had both chickens and ducks in a town where it was technically not OK, but all of the neighbors had them too. The rules weren’t enforced until raccoons became a problem in the area.
Coop needs for chickens and ducks are similar as far as space goes. Ducks roost on the ground, and chickens like to get up high to sleep. Needless to say, it is not recommended to house them together. I find ducks easier to clean up after as well, something about scraping out a chicken coop that just gets to me. The ducks roam and fertilize the yard all day, easy peasy when it comes to clean up.
Whose Eggs are Better?
Egg preference is a matter of, well, preference. Both chicken and duck eggs can come in a variety of colors and sizes, it depends on the bird. Duck eggs tend to be larger and do have more protein per egg.
Some people prefer those dark orange yolks you get from fresh chicken eggs. Duck eggs have much paler yolks, but they are larger. The whites of duck eggs are actually much whiter, and more viscous than chicken eggs. I do find that you have to cook them longer than chicken eggs to get the whites all the way done.
Do you like baking? If so, duck eggs are for you! Duck eggs give fresh cakes added fluffiness (the word of a professional baker must be taken when you don’t actually eat cake). They certainly are richer than chicken eggs and make great batters for other things as well.
Which is Better Suited for the Backyard Flock
Thinking of weather patterns in different areas, which type of bird is best suited for you. When it comes to tolerating heat, ducks fare better than chickens. Cold temperatures see ducks doing better there as well. My ducks were not happy with the snow, but they went into their quack shack and settled in for the cold nights with no problem.
Either way you decide, you will need some sort of a coop for both types of birds. If you don’t plan on keeping them locked in the coop all day (which you can’t do with ducks unless it is a large coop) then you still need a place to keep them safe at night. Even in the city, you are likely to get something that will come after your birds. While chickens will usually automatically go to the roost at bedtime, ducks can be easily herded in at dusk.
Chickens will scratch and peck more in your yard than ducks will. Let then at the leaf pile from last fall, it will be gone in no time. I did discover rather unexpectedly that ducks LOVE dandelions. Try and try as you might to get rid of them and they never go away. Add some backyard ducks, and those weeds are gone in no time. Ducks are less likely to jump into your raised garden beds to peck at your plants too.
Bottom Line:
Ducks or Chickens? That is the question. First make sure you can legally have poultry in your yard where you live. You might want to talk to your neighbors about having birds too. Noise complaints are the last thing you want in your search for fresh eggs.
Then decide how much space you can dedicate for your birds. If keeping in a coop all the time, you will need more space for ducks. Free ranging lets the birds do pest control for you, and you get a nicely fertilized lawn at the same time. Do you have time to change a duck pool every day, or clean a coop every week? Make sure you can adequately care for your birds in the space and with the time you have before you start.
Don’t just take my word for it. I admitted I prefer ducks, they are cuter, quieter, friendlier and more personable than chicken in my opinion. Just like with chickens you can select different breeds to have a diverse flock. I also like the duck eggs better than chick eggs, but that’s my two cents. Feel free to keep which ever type, or both that you prefer.