Backyard Duck Breeds

Great backyard duck breeds by 45 comments this post may contain affiliate links which means as an amazon associate i may receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases if you make a purchase using the links at no additional cost to you.

Backyard duck breeds. For one they need to be tame and have a quiet demeanor. When you picture a flock of backyard ducks you likely picture the large white pekin ducks or the smaller active brown colored mallards but there are many more duck breeds that are great fun to raise and whose numbers are dwindling. There are numerous backyard duck breeds to choose from though. Their hooked bill is a unique feature that makes them perfect for beautiful backyard duck displays.

They are critically endangered though and quite rare to come by. Pekins are the most popular backyard duck breed. Choosing a dual purpose duck breed is best. To me the appleyard is one of the best backyard duck breeds.

However it s good to know what breeds are the best for what you want. Some are better egg layers some are more mellow than others. Pekins are docile and unable to fly making them excellent backyard birds. They lay large white to blue green eggs at a rate of 100 225 per year.

When you picture a flock of backyard ducks you likely picture the large white pekin ducks or the smaller active brown colored mallards but there are many more duck breeds that are great fun to raise and whose numbers are dwindling. Unlike other breeds full grown pekin ducks and drakes are both all white but the drakes grow a curly tail which identifies them as drakes. Calmer breeds of duck are quite happy with a ratio of one male to one female others do better with more females than males up to 4 to 5 ducks female ducks are ducks male ducks are drakes per gent if you want fertile eggs so the ducks won t get mounted so often drakes can be shall we say very enthusiastic breeders. Keeping ducks on a small homestead is a great way to get fresh eggs entertainment and a sassy attitude.

That s why this duck breed spotlight will focus on several breeds that i raise that are on the livestock conservancy critical lists. But there breeders out there that do sell ducklings or eggs to hatch. These ducks weigh from 3 5 to 6 pounds depending on the breed line. For backyard duck breeds you should look for one that possesses certain qualities.

The pekin is the most widely kept breed of duck in the u s. These ducks are friendly calm and ever so loyal to their humans. Originating in beijing china originally called pekin around 2500 b c white pekin ducks are a calm hardy breed. This critically endangered duck breed popularized in the netherlands needs to be preserved.

Pekins are the most popular backyard duck breed. Add to favorites. That s why this duck breed spotlight will focus on several breeds that i raise that are on the livestock conservancy critical lists meaning there are.