Choosing the Right Duck Breed

Backyard gardeners, homesteaders, and hobby farmers alike will often find themselves asking the question, "What duck breed makes sense for me?"

To answer this question, it's important to dive into the desire behind adding ducks to your operation.

Whether it be meat, eggs, or pest control, the options can seem almost endless.

Heavy Egg Producers

If your main goal behind adding ducks is for egg production, here are three breeds that are excellent layers.

Indian Runners

Ducks or bowling pins? Aside from the added amusement of watching this breed run across your yard, this breed is popular for the many colors available: fawn and white, blue, chocolate (pictured), buff, and more!

Terrible meat producers at only 3 pounds, this breed makes up for their lack of substance in their egg production. Averaging 300 blue and green eggs each year, Indian Runners are one of the most productive egg layers.

Khaki Campbell

Another popular duck breed, Khaki Campbells are low-maintenance and extremely hardy. This breed will lay an average of 280 white eggs each year.

Hens will lay as young as 5 months old and weigh 4 to 5 pounds at maturity, producing a nice table bird.

Welsh Harlequin

A personal favorite of mine, Welsh Harlequins are one of the most beautiful birds you can add to your flock. Laying blue or white eggs, producers can expect an average of 300 per year.

Maturing at only 5 pounds, this light-class breed is extremely food-efficient and requires less feed than larger breeds.

Best Meat Breeds

If you are after a hefty table bird while enjoying a few eggs, these breeds might be for you.

Muscovy

Whereas most domestic duck breeds are derived from the wild Mallard, Muscovies are completely separate. Thought to be from South America, the physical differences are very apparent.

This breed should be butchered before 4 months of age and produces a leaner meat, with plump, turkey-like breast meat.

Pekin

This breed makes up 90% of domestic duck meat consumed in the United States. Maturing to 6 pounds in only 7-8 weeks, this breed is one of the most efficient. This breed is typically calm, friendly, and inquisitive.

Dual Purpose Breeds

Are you wanting the best of both worlds? Here are a few of my favorites from my personal flock.

Silver Appleyard

I might be bias, this is probably my favorite duck breed. I have found this breed to have excellent temperament, be extremely social, and add beautiful color to the flock.

Expect an average of 250 white eggs per year with this breed. Maturing quickly at 8 pounds, Appleyards produce a leaner meat with less fat.

Buff Orpington

Another favorite personality-wise! This breed matures smaller than a Pekin, but still relatively fast, allowing for harvest in 8-10 weeks. You can expect to collect 3-5 eggs per week with this breed.

Welsh Harlequin

Already listed in the egg layers, this breed is an excellent dual-purpose breed that will always have a place in my yard. Great at foraging, this breed can help limit your feed bill.

Considered a light-class breed, Welsh Harlequins produce a good size carcass with light bone structure. You can expect up to 300 eggs per year with these ladies.

Things to Consider

Ultimately, the "right" duck breed depends on your goals. Collecting colorful eggs? Good temperament for children? Heavy carcass and fast maturing?

Ducks are an excellent addition to almost any homestead or backyard flock. What breed of duck are you adding?