Cris
5 Best Duck Breeds
So, you decided to give ducks a try on your homestead. But now which ones should you get? I went to the local feed store and bought what they had (Pekin ducks) and was not disappointed at first. They were these cute little yellow things that would cuddle when you held them. Then they grew up and weren’t as friendly and cuddly anymore.
Some duck breeds are just much more personable than others. Certain duck breeds are better egg layers than others. Still other duck breeds are better if you plan on raising them to eat. It depends on what you are looking for in your pet duck, is it cuteness, eggs, or meat? I chose a combination of these traits this time around when I ordered my ducks.
The qualities that I wanted in my ducks was that they be personable, as Pekins are not. Good egg laying quality and quantity was also a must. Plus, I wanted ducks that were pretty, and didn’t cost too much. I chose to go for Cayuga ducks and Khaki Campbell ducks to meet my desires. As far as ordering based on price, there are quite a few breeders out there, so I opted for the one closest to my home so the little girls wouldn’t be in a box too long.
Best Urban Homestead Ducks
Doing thorough research is something that I do well. I do have a Master’s degree after all, so research is my thing. These are the duck breeds that I looked into when deciding what ducks to get. Information here is based on duck breeds that I have personally owned in the past and even now.
Khaki Campbell Ducks
These are certainly my favorite ducks. I can’t go out to the back yard without them coming running to me and then follow me around. They lay almost every day during the winter, and the eggs are pretty large. Being that all birds will slow down on their laying in the colder months, these guys average 280 to 320 eggs per duck every year.
Khaki Campbell ducks are often at the top of any list for their egg laying abilities. Beyond this, they are actually attractive birds that are quiet, and friendly. These are smaller bodied birds, so not going to be the best bet for meat. I love my girls and wouldn’t eat them anyway.
This breed is know to be one of the calmer breeds, which makes them perfect backyard pets. Like I said, mine come running hoping for treats and then follow me around. They even play with the cat and sleep next to the dog! In my opinion, these are the best ducks to have around.
Cayuga Ducks
These ducks are absolutely beautiful! Dark black feathers that are almost black but shine a lovely green in the sunlight. Cayuga ducks lay black to dark grey eggs in the summer and mainly white in the fall and winter. A little strange to crack open a black egg, but if you can get past that the eggs are fantastic. Not the best for numbers at only 3 to 4 a week for a total of 150-180 each year.
These were bred in New York near Cayuga Lake to be docile and tamable. They are a heavier bird at 7 to 8 pounds, so they could be dual purpose. This super hard bird will eat out of your hand if you take the time with them when they are small. These birds are known to be one of the hardiest and can survive cold harsh winters.
Indian Runner Ducks
I love these guys, they come in a variety of colors, and thy stand up straight. It is super cute to see these guys come running up or just watching them cruise around the yard. These smaller birds aren’t suited well to be meat ducks at around 3-5 pounds.
Their egg laying capacity is spot on at around 250 a year. They are super friendly, and love to explore and chase after bugs. They are also known to be super quiet and mild mannered. Touted as one of the easiest to care for, Indian Runner ducks are an adorable choice.
Rouen Ducks
These guys are little mallard look-a-likes. Males have the green head; females are brown with a purple wing stripe. These were some of the noisiest birds I ever had. Not friendly at all, they are easily startled and would never eat from my hand. This breed originated in France and reached the Americas later in the 1800’s.
This medium bodied bird can be anywhere from 6 to 9 pounds. Eggs are lacking at around 100 a year, and the eggs are smaller than your average duck egg. Their eggs are about the size of a large chicken egg, but they do have those crystal-clear whites that is heavy and more viscous than in chicken eggs. I wouldn’t raise them again; I’m too attached to my Khakis.
American Pekin
These are noisy and messy ducks, but they are great for laying eggs. They are also heavy birds that give a descent size meal. Easy to come by at your local feed store in the spring, they can be a nice addition to your flock. My second go at ducks was of course two male Pekins, so with no eggs coming from them they were headed to the freezer.
Pekins are not the best bird in my opinion, they are plain white and quack a lot! They are not as mellow and friendly as other breeds. I did have a favorite crested Pekin though; she was slower than the rest making her easier to catch and tame. Crested ducks are cute, but not worth the special care they need as they have an actual brain defect that caused the crest.
Other Popular Duck Breeds
Above I talked about only the duck breeds that I have owned. There are several other popular ducks out there that I might just try out this spring. Of these breeds that other homesteaders swear by are:
- Muscovy Duck
- Saxony Duck
- Silver Appleyard
- Swedish Blue
- Magpie Duck
- Buff Orphington
No matter what bred you choose you are sure to enjoy the addition of ducks to your flock! Great eggs, great fun personalities, homesteads are not complete without ducks.
More Great Info:
Check out these other fantastic posts!