Ducks

Raising ducks can be very rewarding. Ducks are a good source of eggs and meat. Ducks also are good pest control and their manure is great fertilizer for gardens. Did you know? Ducks are generally hardy birds with strong immune systems, making them less susceptible to diseases! Here is a list of common duck breeds and their characteristics!

Khaki Campbell

Khaki Campbell are a cross between Mallard, Rouen and Runner ducks. They were brought to the U.S in 1929. Khaki Campbell are a lightweight duck that usually only weighs around 4-5lbs.

Purpose: Egg Layer, and Exhibition

Egg Production: 165-210 per year

Egg Color: White

Egg Size: Large

Temperament: Nervous

Size: 3.5-4.5 lbs

Pekin

Pekin are used for commercial meat production. They are a large framed bird that is hardy and fast growing. They are known for having a high feed conversion ratio.

Purpose: Egg Layer, Meat and Exhibition

Egg Production: 140-175 eggs per year

Egg Color: White

Egg Size: Large to X-Large

Temperament: Docile and calm

Size: 9-10 lbs

Golden 300 Hybrid

Golden 300 were developed in 1996. They were developed to have very good egg production and a larger egg size. Although the adults can be sexed by color if you breed 2 Golden 300 together their chicks will not be sex-linked.

Purpose: Egg layer

Egg Production: 200-290 eggs per year

Egg Color: White

Egg Size: Large to X-Large

Temperament: Variable

Size: 4.5-5.5 lbs

Mallard

Mallards are a bantam breed of duck. Did you know that all domesticated ducks except the Muscovy are derived from the mallard duck. Mallards are often raised to small home farms and hunt clubs.

Purpose: Ornamental

Egg Production: 60-120 eggs per year

Egg Color: Greenish blue or white

Egg Size: Small

Temperament: Excitable

Size: 2.25-2.5 lbs

Muscovy

Muscovy are commonly raised for commercial meat production. Muscovy’s are one of the oldest domesticated fowl species in the world. You can find wild Muscovy in parts of Texas and Florida. They are known to be the quietest type of duck.

Purpose: Meat production

Egg Production: 100 eggs per year

Egg Color: White

Egg Size: Large

Temperament: Calm

Size: 6-12 lbs

Runner

Runner ducks also know as Indian Runner have a slim body and a long neck. Runner ducks are very prolific layers. They are the best forager of all duck breeds. They love searching for snails, slugs and insects.

Purpose: Egg laying, Exhibition and Meat production

Egg Production: 100-165 eggs per year

Egg Color: White

Egg Size: Large to X-Large

Temperament: Nervous

Size: 3.25-4lbs