How to Breed Khaki Campbell Ducks

Khaki Campbell ducks were developed by crossing a White Indian Runner Duck with a Rouen duck, and then crossing those offspring with mallards. They were first recognized as a duck breed in 1941. An English breed, the Khaki Campbell is popular for its egg production, often eclipsing chickens in laying capacity; a single duck will lay up to 300 eggs a year. Small, lightweight, and calm, they are easy to raise and breed.

Things You'll Need

  • Well-ventilated shed
  • Yard
  • Lighting (optional)
  • Nest boxes
  • Litter or straw nesting material
  • Breeder-laying feed
  • Watering trough or bucket
  • Oyster shell
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start your flock. You need one male duck for every 5 or 6 females. Ducks need to be 7 months of age for egg production.

    • 2

      Provide a clean, dry, well-ventilated shed or house. Allow 5 to 6 feet of floor space per bird. Ducks are hardy and don't require heat.

    • 3

      Put lighting in the shed. Lighting is optional, but extending exposure to light will increase egg production.

    • 4

      Place nesting boxes in the shed. Nest boxes should be placed on the floor. Provide at least one nest box for each female. Fill nest boxes with clean, dry litter.

    • 5

      Feed ducks breeder-laying feed. Feed developed specially for breeding ducks will increase egg production and keep breeders healthy. Supplementing feed with crushed oyster shell will strengthen egg shells.

    • 6

      Provide constant access to drinking water. Ducks don't require a pond to swim in, but need drinking water. They need a trough or buck deep enough so they can dunk their entire head under the water to drink. Ducks are dirty, so clean water reservoirs regularly and keep them clear of mud and debris.

    • 7

      Confine birds in the shed at night, then allow access to the outside in daylight hours. You will collect more eggs if ducks are not allowed to roam free at night.

    • 8

      Collect eggs at 7 a.m. then let the birds out of the shed. Ducks lay in the early morning hours. If some birds remain on the nest, make a second collection later in the day.

    • 9

      Clean nesting material regularly. Keeping nests clean will keep eggs clean and undamaged.