Ducks can be very beneficially to hobby farms thanks to their adaptability to different environments. Whether you are on a small farm or a large farm, ducks will be able to adapt and flourish. Many people like owning ducks on a farm due to their relatively low maintenance requirements and that they are generally disease free.
Some people enjoy using duck eggs for cooking. Other people just simply enjoy having ducks around. If there is a small pond of stream on your farm, you can keep a small flock of ducks for breeding. However, thanks to duck’s low maintenance, you don’t necessarily need a pond or stream – a simple sunken through pan or half-barrel will work.
If you are keeping ducks on your farm for breeding, they will build their own nests and produce 12-15, or more, ducklings. It is recommended that you start with a trio of ducks – one male and two females – to produce a solid amount of ducklings per year. A small flock, though, will provide more ducks than you can count!
Some popular duck breeds for farms are the Rouen, a Pekin, or a Muscovy. The Muscovy breed is not related to domestic ducks but are used on farms as they are a good settlers and foragers.
If you are planning on keeping ducks for meat, some breeds to consider are the Abacot Ranger, Appleyard, Australian Spotted, Blue Swedish, Buff Orpington, Crested, Elizabeth, German Pekin, Magpie, Saxony, and the Welsh Harlequin.
For eggs, some breeds are the Ancona, Aylesbury, Buff, Campbell, Golden Cascade, Khaki Campbell, Runner, and Shetland.
Some farmers look for ducks for ornamental purposes. If you are one of those farmers, consider breeds like the Bali, Black East Indian, Call, Cayuga, East Indie, Mallard, Silver Appleyard and the Silver Appleyard Miniature.
Whether you prefer to keep ducks for pleasure or for monetary/food purposes, they will make a wonderful addition to any hobby farm!
Picture: | Breed: |
---|---|
![]() | Abacot Ranger: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: Terrible at flying |
![]() | Ancona: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, breeding, eggs Breed Note: Weigh approximately 6.5 pounds as adults |
![]() | Appleyard: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs, meat Breed Note: When full grown they weigh in between 6 and 8 pounds |
![]() | Australian Spotted: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, eggs, game Breed Note: One of the few domestic duck breeds originating in the U.S. |
![]() | Aylesbury: Origin: England Coloring: White, orange Production: Show, eggs, meat Breed Note: Produce anywhere between 40 to 120 eggs per year |
![]() | Bali: Origin: Bali Coloring: Multiple Production: Ornamental, pets, eggs Breed Note: One of the oldest domesticated duck |
![]() | Black East Indian: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Black, brown, green Production: Exhibition, ornamental Breed Note: Oldest breed of bantam duck |
![]() | Blue Swedish: Origin: Sweden Coloring: Blue, black, white, green, gray, red, brown Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: Relatively unpopular to humans |
![]() | Buff: Origin: United Kingdom Coloring: Buff, blond, brown Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: weigh 7 to 8 pounds |
![]() | Buff Orpington: Origin: United Kingdom Coloring: Buff, blond, brown Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: weigh 7 to 8 pounds |
![]() | Call: Origin: Nethetherlands Coloring: Multiple Production: Ornamental, pets Breed Note: Considered the nosiest breed of duck |
![]() | Campbell: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs Breed Note: Bred to create a more attractive colored duck |
![]() | Cayuga: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Black, green Production: Eggs, meat, ornamental Breed Note: Female is quite vocal where as the the male rarely quack |
![]() | Crested: Origin: Unknown Coloring: White Production: Exhibition, eggs, meat Breed Note: The crest on top of their head is a mutation in which, if left alone, causes 25% of embryos to die when crested's are pure bread |
![]() | Dutch Hookbill: Origin: Nethetherlands Coloring: Dusky, brown, white Production: Exhibition Breed Note: Seasonal egg layer |
![]() | East Indie: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Green, black. females can develop white feathers Production: Ornamental, eggs Breed Note: Very small only getting up to 4 through 7 pounds at maturity |
![]() | Elizabeth: Origin: Australia Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat Breed Note: both genders have same color bill, gray |
![]() | German Pekin: Origin: Germany Coloring: White, orange Production: Meat Breed Note: Highly independent, able to leave nest after birth after only a couple hours |
![]() | Golden Cascade: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs Breed Note: Can be sexed by color of bill |
![]() | Indian Runner: Origin: indonesia Coloring: Multiple Production: eggs, pest control Breed Note: Only the females quack |
![]() | Khaki Campbell: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs Breed Note: Lays on average 325 eggs per year. |
![]() | Magpie: Origin: United Kingdom Coloring: White, black, yellow, orange, green Production: Eggs, meat Breed Note: Great at keeping insect numbers down for humans. Great foragers |
![]() | Mallard: Origin: Unknown Coloring: Multiple Production: meat, ornamental, Exhibition Breed Note: Ancestor of nearly all domestic breeds of duck |
![]() | Muscovy: Origin: South America Coloring: White, black, red, yellow, pink Production: Eggs, meat, pets Breed Note: Males do not quack, only hiss |
![]() | Orpington: Origin: England Coloring: Buff, blond, brown Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: Capable of laying up to 220 eggs per year |
![]() | Pekin: Origin: China Coloring: White, yellow, orange Production: Meat Breed Note: Feathers are very soft |
![]() | Rouen: Origin: France Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, exhibition, eggs Breed Note: Very closely resembles that of a Mallard |
![]() | Runner: Origin: indo China Coloring: Multiple Production: Eggs Breed Note: Weigh between 4 and 4.5 pounds |
![]() | Saxony: Origin: Germany Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: Grow at a slower pace than most other duck breeds |
![]() | Shetland: Origin: Scotland Coloring: Black, white, blue Production: Eggs, meat Breed Note: Males and females have different colored beaks |
![]() | Silver Appleyard: Origin: England Coloring: Multiple Production: Exhibition, pets, meat, eggs Breed Note: Lay roughly 250 eggs per year |
![]() | Silver Appleyard Bantam: Origin: Coloring: Production: Breed Note: |
![]() | Silver Appleyard Miniature: Origin: United Kingdom Coloring: Multiple Production: Exhibition, ornamental Breed Note: Tamed very easily, great as pets for around the house |
![]() | Welsh Harlequin: Origin: United Kingdom Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, eggs Breed Note: Outstanding layers as they lay between 240 to 330 eggs per year |
I want to buy some more ducks
I’m looking for Runner Ducks for sale
I have 4 indian runners, they need a home. 3 males and 1 female. Are you interested?
I am looking for a 1 year old female Indian Runner Duck.
I would like 2 female and 1 male mscovy ducks. I’m in colorado. Jill
I am looking for a pair of adult female Rouen ducks, Gordonsville, Va.
I am interested in some muscovy hens and/or some pekin ducks. Can you please provide me with location information and pricing? I live in Decatur, TN.
Want 5 muscovy female ducks
Would like to purchase Runner 4 ducks or eggs for hatching. I live in Malabar Florida
32950 zipcode
I have two ducks an moving can’t take them with me
Christine. 401-580-0966
Looking for the following ducklings and chicks
Silver Appleyard, ducks
Blue Magpie, ducks
Faverolles, chicks
I will like to buy some moscove ducks
Hello I am looking for some Indian runner ducks. I am searching for them for my sister who lives in Texas who will have them shipped to her.
Hello, I am looking for some backyard ducks. Still doing my research but wondering where in Michigan I could purchase some? I like the welsh harlequin’s so far. Any information would be wonderful!
I would like to buy some Khaki Campbell ducks .
I am looking for 6 Saxony chicks in NC
I am looking for some call ducks