Different Duck Breeds & Breeding

Ducks are bred mainly for their eggs and meat, though some are raised for exhibition. Breeders generally use selective inbreeding wherein 1-year-old drakes and ducks are mated based on the fowls' fertility, feathering rate, body configuration, egg laying capacity, feed consumption, productivity span and hatch rate. It is important to have accurate recording and identification systems for each duck breed to track marketability.

  1. Indian Runner

    • This breed produces a good number of eggs, generally one egg per day. Common varieties popularly bred are white, fawn, a combination of both, chocolate and black. Characterized by a small body frame with an upright stance, this breed has a remarkable running gait managed by firm, long legs. Adult drakes (male) and adult ducks (female) weigh 4.4 to 4.9 pounds and 3.5 to 4.4 pounds, respectively.

      Runner drakes can be paired with five or six ducks, sometimes more. A single male (instead of flock mating using several males) in each pen is advisable to ensure fertility. Breeder ducks should be fed waterfowl breeder rations a month before hatching eggs are gathered. Either artificial incubation with heat lamps or natural hatching by the mother duck or another breed can be chosen.

    Pekin Duck

    • This utility breed of Chinese mallard origin is raised for its meat and egg laying capacity. It is often hybridized with the Aylesbury to produce meatier offspring, which possess great energy and easy raising characteristics. Breeder selection must be done only after an 18-month molting period.

      Handling affects rate of egg laying and weight gain. Adult drakes can weigh from 8.8 to 9.9 pounds; females, from 7.7 to 8.2 pounds. They can't be confined in small pens. Selective inbreeding is also an option, with factors such as frame, carriage and bill flaws as guidelines.

    Aylesbury

    • Another utility duck, the Aylesbury is usually crossed with the Pekin. Breeders claim there are no longer purebred Aylesburys. Marketed before developing adult plumage, Aylesburys do not produce eggs as profitably as the Pekin, although they are better egg layers than Muscovies. Aylesburys are also exhibition ducks used for racing and shows.

      Breeding characteristics are noted with standardized criteria for breeding utility and exhibition fowl. Large frames, white skin and bright, glossy feathers are desirable traits. Mature drakes weigh 7.7 to 8.8 pounds, while mature females weigh 7.9 to 9.0 pounds.

    Khaki Campbell

    • This lighter duck breed allows a single drake paired with 10 ducks for fenced breeding. Its name was derived from the very first breeder (Adele Campbell of England) who had successfully crossed a fawn and white Indian Runner female with a Rouen drake. Drakes should be one month older than the females. Drakes weigh around 6.6 pounds, while females weigh around 5.5 pounds. Like the Indian runner, Khaki Campbells also have excellent egg-laying capacity.