A Guide to Duck Breeds
By Dave Holderread
A perfect choice for many farmers, ducks produce eggs and meat efficiently, thrive in inclement weather, help control insects and snail populations, and they’re also entertaining and beautiful. From selecting the breed that’s right for you to rearing, housing, and caring for your birds, Storey’s Guide to Raising Ducks (Storey Publishing, 2011) by Dave Holderread provides the essential advice and practical know-how you need to keep a thriving flock. The following excerpt is from Chapter 3, “Choosing the Right Duck.”
Profiles of duck breeds
Most domestic ducks raised in North America belong to one of 23 breeds or their hybrids. These water-loving fowl represent a marvelous cornucopia of sizes, shapes, and colors. By examining their breeding histories, we get an intriguing glimpse of the places, events, and traditions that have helped to shape the present duck world.
When reviewing the various breeds, always remember that birds within the same breed can vary greatly in their physical, practical, and personality traits. Furthermore, the environment they are raised in and the diet they consume can significantly alter not only their growth and productivity but also their appearance.
| Weight Class | Breed | Male/Female Pounds (kg) | Yearly Egg Production | Egg Size per Dozen Ounces (kg) | Mothering Ability | Foraging Ability | Status |
| Bantam |
Australian Spotted |
2.2 (1) 2 (0.9) |
50 – 125 |
20 – 24 (0.55 – 0.7) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
Call |
1.6 (0.7) 1.4 (0.6) |
25 – 75 |
16 – 20 (0.45 – 0.55) |
Fair – Excellent |
Poor – Fair |
Common |
|
|
East Indie |
1.8 (0.8) 1.5 (0.7) |
25 – 75 |
18 – 24 (0.5 – 0.7) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Fairly common |
|
|
Mallard |
2.5 (1.1) 2.2 (1) |
25 – 100 |
24 – 48 (0.7 – 0.8) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Abundant |
|
|
Mini Silver Appleyard |
2.2 (1) 2 (0.9) |
50 – 125 |
20 – 24 (0.55 – 0.7) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
|
Silkie |
2.2 (1) 2.0 (0.9) |
50 – 125 |
20 – 28 (0.55 – 0.8) |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
| Light |
Bali |
5 (2.3) 4.5 (2) |
120 – 250 |
28 – 36 (0.8 – 1.0) |
Poor – Fair |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
Campbell |
4.5 (2) 4 (1.8) |
250 – 340 |
28 – 34 (0.8 – 0.95) |
Poor – Fair |
Excellent |
Fairly common |
|
|
Harlequin |
5.5 (2.5) 5 (2.3) |
240 – 330 |
29 – 34 (0.8 – 0.95) |
Poor – Good |
Excellent |
Rare |
|
|
Hook Bill |
4 (1.8) 3.5 (1.6) |
100 – 225 |
24 – 32 (0.7 – 0.9) |
Fair – Good |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
|
Magpie |
6 (2.7) 5.5* (2.5) |
220 – 290 |
30 – 38 (0.85 – 1.1) |
Fair – Good |
Excellent |
Rare |
|
|
Runner |
4.5 (2) 4 (1.8) |
150 – 300 |
28 – 36 (0.8 – 1.0) |
Poor – Fair |
Excellent |
Common |
|
| Medium |
Ancona |
6.5 (3) 6 (2.7) |
210 – 280 |
30 – 38 (0.85 – 1.1) |
Fair – Good |
Excellent |
Endangered |
|
Cayuga |
8 (3.6) 7 (3.2) |
100 – 150 |
30 – 38 (0.85 – 1.1) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Common |
|
|
Crested |
7 (3.2) 6 (2.7) |
100 – 150 |
30 – 38 (0.85 – 1.0) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Common |
|
|
Orpington |
8 (3.6) 7 (3.2) |
150 – 220 |
30 – 36 (0.85 – 1.0) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Fairly common |
|
|
Swedish |
8 (3.6) 7 (3.2) |
100 – 150 |
30 – 38 (0.85 – 1.1) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Fairly common |
|
| Heavy |
Appleyard |
9 (4.1) 8 (3.6) |
200 – 270 |
34 – 40 (0.95 – 1.1) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Rare |
|
Aylesbury |
10 (4.5) 9 (4.1) |
35 – 125 |
38 – 44 (1.1 – 1.25) |
Poor – Fair |
Fair |
Rare |
|
|
Muscovy |
12 (5.4) 7 (3.2) |
50 – 125 |
38 – 50 (1.1 – 1.4) |
Fair – Excellent |
Excellent |
Abundant |
|
|
Pekin |
10 (4.5) 9 (4.1) |
125 – 225 |
36 – 46 (1.0 – 1.3) |
Poor – Fair |
Fair |
Abundant |
|
|
Rouen |
10 (4.5) 9 (4.1) |
35 – 125 |
36 – 44 (1.0 – 1.25) |
Poor – Good |
Fair – Good |
Common |
|
|
Saxony |
9 (4.1) 8 (3.6) |
190 – 240 |
36 – 46 (1.0 – 1.3) |
Fair – Good |
Good |
Rare |
*The APA Standard gives weights of 5 pounds (2.25 kg) and 4.5 pounds (2 kg), respectively, for Magpie drakes and ducks, approximately 1 pound lower than typical.
Note: Information presented in this profile is based on the average characteristics of each breed. Actual performance may vary considerably from the norm.
This excerpt has been reprinted with permission fromStorey’s Guide to Raising Ducks, published by Storey Publishing, 2011.
Cover image courtesy Storey Publishing
