If you have a current backyard flock or want to start incorporating domestic ducks, you have several options. Having the best ducks for eggs can give you a steady supply of nutritious food right out your backdoor.
Many individuals who have chickens will opt to add ducks to their flock for various healthy food sources. In addition, ducks can be easy to house, help to control pests, and make terrific pets, even in families with small children.
Why Duck Eggs?
Some individuals with food sensitivities or allergies to chicken eggs can tolerate duck eggs as an alternative. Other people enjoy the variety that duck eggs provide, especially with cooking and baking. No matter what your reason is, having accessible fresh eggs from your domestic duck is beneficial.
Duck eggs are typically 50 to 100% larger in size than chicken eggs and contain a host of nutrition. Because of their excessive size, their calories and nutrients will also be significantly more than a typical chicken egg.
Many people prefer them for baking due to their richness and larger yolk to egg-white ratio. In addition, they have a slightly stronger flavor than traditional chicken eggs and are ideal for recipes that involve creams, custards, or other dishes requiring moisture.
When examining the vitamins and minerals of a duck egg to a chicken egg, you will find higher amounts of:
- Protein
- Cholesterol content
- Iron
- Thiamine
- Phosphorus
- Selenium
- Folate
- Vitamin A, B6, B12, E
- Zinc
Duck eggs also contain other beneficial nutrients that you will also find in eggs. Some of these amounts are similar or slightly less, including:
- Less cholesterol
- Choline
- Copper
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin D
Now that you know precisely how terrific duck eggs can be for your health, it is time to start exploring the seven best ducks for eggs.
The 7 Best Duck Breeds for Eggs
If you want to start off on the right foot with raising domestic waterfowl, knowing the best egg laying ducks is critical for production and nutrition. Although you can get duck eggs from any of the dozens of breeds out there, these seven types are prolific in their year-round egg production and host terrific demeanors to keep as a domestic pet.
- Buff (Orpington)
- Campbell
- Cayuga
- Indian Runner
- Pekin
- Magpies
- Welsh Harlequin
Buff (Orpington)
This breed falls into the medium-sized category and will produce upwards of 200 or more large eggs per year, with the color ranging from white to cream or light brown. They will vary between six to eight pounds in weight and are known as a dual-purpose duck since they also make terrific meat birds.
They have a calm demeanor, making them excellent family pets for homes with small children. In addition, buffs can tolerate varying climates between hot and cold, which allows duck enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to house this breed successfully.
Campbell
Campbells are a perfect fit for anyone looking for the best ducks for eggs. They are small birds, weighing in at only 3.5 to 5 pounds in total. However, they are known to lay up to approximately 340 white to cream-colored eggs per year, making them ideal for continuous production. The egg size is slightly smaller than other breeds, but their laying frequency makes up for this shortfall.
This docile breed is ideal for producing regular duck eggs in various temperatures. They are energetic and love to forage in open runs rather than confined to a small coop or pen. However, Campbells can be a tad skittish and do best in smaller flocks rather than with hundreds of birds around them.
Cayuga
The Cayuga duck varies in size from seven to eight pounds, making it a dual-purpose bird for egg production and meat. It can produce around 150 large eggs per year, ranging in tones of grey to charcoal colors, depending on the laying cycle.
This breed is extremely docile and is terrific for homes with children. They enjoy having food available to them rather than having to forage for it on their own. Due to its larger size, the number of Cayugas you introduce to your flock will depend on the coop and run size available.
Indian Runner
The Indian Runner is another prolific egg layer of backyard domestic duck breeds. You can expect up to around 300 eggs per year from one of these mature laying ducks. The egg sizes are smaller compared to other duck breeds and range in color from white to blue-green in hue.
They are a lightweight breed, topping out at 4 to 4.5 pounds in weight, making them ideal for smaller yards. Runners are energetic foragers and will keep your yard clear of insects and other pests. In addition, they can tolerate various climates, ranging from hot to cold weather, perfect for beginner duck owners worldwide.
Pekin
Pekins are among the most popular domestic breeds for both eggs and meat since they grow and mature quickly. They will reach between 7 to 9 pounds in weight, and you can expect around 200 large or extra-large white eggs each year from a Pekin duck in your flock.
Their friendly disposition ensures that they fit in well with an existing flock or when starting up a new one. In addition, this breed forages well to keep your space clear of pests and makes terrific domestic pets for families with children.
Magpies
The Magpie is the best breed for eggs and for anyone looking for a laying duck that is docile and quiet. They will provide up to around 290 medium to large eggs that will vary in color from white or cream to blue or green. They are intense foragers, making their eggs nutritious and flavorful.
This lightweight breed is an ideal choice for anyone looking for a laying duck that is easy to handle. They will reach anywhere from 5.5 to 6 pounds in size and can handle varying temperatures. In addition, magpies are not as vocal as other breeds, giving pet owners a break from constant quacking.
Welsh Harlequin
Welsh Harlequins are another dual-purpose breed that can provide exceptional eggs year-round and meat. You can expect anywhere from 240 to 330 large white, cream-colored, or blue-tinted eggs per year from this breed. They will grow to approximately 5 to 5.5 pounds in total and are an excellent option for first-time duck owners.
This breed is calm and friendly and can tolerate many climates. They will prefer to forage for food before consuming any duck meal that you provide for them daily. Welsh Harlequins are practical for farms or backyard flocks where their foraging will help with pest control.
Why Egg Production Drops in Ducks and What to Do About it
It can be confusing for many first-time domestic duck owners to navigate egg production when building their flock. Similar to chickens, ducks may have periods throughout the year where egg production begins to decrease. Although this is a regular occurrence, there are some things you can do to help keep your ducks laying.
There can be many reasons why your ducks are not laying as often as they have been. Some of these circumstances may include:
- The ratio of males to females
- Sexual maturity and old age
- Lighting conditions
- Food quality
- Available water
- Stress
- Temperature changes
- HIdden, stolen, or eaten eggs
- Molting or broody
Once you determine the factors that are affecting the laying frequency of your ducks, you can take steps to correct them and get your ducks back on track.
The Ratio of Males to Females
If you have too many males in your flock, egg production will drop significantly. Males are aggressive breeders and can stress out the females if the ratio is skewed. Ideally, you should only have one male for every six females. It is possible to maintain female ducks in a flock without a male and still have eggs regularly.
Sexual Maturity and Old Age
If a duck matures too quickly during specific times of the year, it will not lay eggs as frequently as it should. Although many duck owners will expect eggs at five or six months of age, it is recommended not to rush your domestic waterfowl into laying until around seven months old.
If a duck has reached old age, its egg production will slow down and eventually stop. This situation is a natural occurrence, and it will happen with each duck as their life cycle completes. Unfortunately, you cannot make an elderly duck start laying eggs again.
Lighting Conditions
In seasons where daylight is restricted, egg production can slow down for ducks and other birds. If your ducks are not laying as often as they have been, try supplementing them with an artificial lighting source to mimic natural daylight.
Food Quality
High-quality food is critical for exceptional egg production. If your ducks do not get the proper vitamins and nutrients they need for a healthy diet, they will not produce eggs regularly. Changing food sources and offering supplemental food items to boost their immunity and mineral content can help immensely with laying frequency.
Available Water
It is no surprise that ducks need water. However, if their water source is scarce or overly polluted, egg production can drop drastically. Providing fresh drinking water and a space to splash and wade around in will help keep your ducks laying regularly.
Stress
Ducks can become stressed from various things, including males, predators, noises, activity, or moving homes. If egg production is lower, examine your ducks’ circumstances and see if something is causing them unnecessary stress. This way, you can make adjustments to help keep them calm and get them laying eggs once again.
Temperature Changes
Temperature changes with the seasons can affect ducks. Extremely hot or cold temperatures that come on suddenly could stress out your flock and hinder their egg production. Try to maintain a neutral climate in their coop to help combat any environmental weather changes that you have no control over.
Hidden, Stolen, or Eaten Eggs
Your ducks may be still laying eggs, but you are not finding them. Free-ranging ducks can be sneaky and lay eggs in spots where you may not be looking for them. If you live in an area with common predators, they may be stealing your duck eggs for their food source. Ensure that your coop is predator-proof to avoid any egg theft.
Ducks do not eat their eggs as often as chickens will, but it can still happen. If you are finding this is the case, be sure to grab the eggs early in the morning, so they are not left out for ducks to eat.
Molting or Broody
Ducks will molt just as chickens do throughout their lives. They will not lay eggs during this time when they shed their feathers and regrow new plumage. Their bodies need time to rest and perform one action at once.
Other times, ducks will stop laying eggs if they go broody and will try to hatch their eggs for new chicks. This period will last approximately two months, and after some time, they should return to regular laying schedules. If you have a male that will fertilize the eggs, you may get chicks. But if no males are present, you may have to break your broody ducks of this habit to get them back to laying once again.
The Takeaway
Using domestic ducks as a means for egg production can be a terrific way to have a nutritious food source. When you have the best egg laying ducks possible, you increase the chances of a continuous supply of healthy eggs. As a result, duck eggs can be more nutritious while also giving individuals with food sensitivities or allergies to traditional chicken eggs a safe alternative.
No matter which of the seven domestic duck breeds you choose for your backyard flock, you should ensure that the male to female ratio is adequate, they have enough water and high-quality food, and their stressors are minimal. These factors will help keep the egg production constant even through the colder seasons where chickens may lay infrequently.
With proper care and monitoring, you are sure to enjoy having ducks for eggs for years to come with minimal issues.