Duck Farming for Eggs
Duck farming for eggs is the second largest egg production after chicken farming in most parts of the world. Ducks are raised for two main reasons including meat production and egg production. Duck framing for eggs is a profitable commercial business and ducks as hardy birds can survive in any adverse climate, unlike chickens. However, they prefer swamps, ponds, or marshy lands to roam.
But it does not say that a watery environment is a must for ducks. They need water ponds to mate and fertile their egg laying. Therefore, as a breeder engaged in duck framing for eggs, you have to make sure that your ducks have a safe place with a water pond.
What Are the Best Duck Breeds for Eggs?
If your intention is duck farming for eggs, you should know which breeds are good at producing eggs and other concerns related to duck eggs. Regarding this matter, you have to pay attention to the purpose of egg production, your living environment, the color of eggs that you want, and the number of eggs that you would expect to produce.
Since there are ducks specialized in each of the above-mentioned concerns, you may require basic knowledge of each duck breed.
If you want more eggs, Campbells and Pekins are a good choice while Runner ducks are famous for producing a substantial amount of greenish-blue ones. The Aylesbury is a form of Pekin good at producing a good number of eggs. Unfortunately, Livestock Conservancy has listed them on the endangered list.
In this article, we are bringing you some tips to identify the best duck breeds for duck farming for eggs on your farm. You can also read our article on (duck farming) to learn interesting and important tips related to raising ducks.
Duck farming for eggs – Best Breeds
| Breed Name | Importance |
| (Khaki) Campbell | (Khaki) Campbell produces the most eggs which are smaller than eggs. As small birds, they fit perfectly in an urban setting. |
| Aylesbury | They are similar to the Pekin and produce a good number of eggs, but this breed is endangered and live a limited number. |
| Runners | Runners are famous for laying blueish-green eggs and they are good gardeners. But the number of eggs they produce per year is lesser than most other duck breeds. |
| Pekin | Pekins are good at producing the biggest eggs among the other breeds. |
Which Breeds are the Best Duck Breeds for Egg Production?
As mentioned in the above Table (Khaki) Campbells, Aylesbury, Runners, and Pekins are the best ducks for eggs. Pekins have orange bills while Aylesbury has them in pink. Except for the color of their bills, Pekins and Aylesbury breeds are nearly identical. As a duck egg producer, you can earn profits with Pekins as your selected breed. Pekins are really good at producing eggs in large numbers. Besides, their eggs are big and lay an impressive number of eggs ideal for duck farming for eggs.
Khaki Campbells and Pekins
On average, the Campbell lays eight more eggs per year than the Pekin. Even then, Khaki Campbells cannot beat Pekins as Pekin eggs are 15 grams heavier than Campbell eggs. The importance of Campbells is its smaller size. If you are breeding them in a spacious rural area, Pekins would do. But Campbells can be put even inside a small area available to you in the urban setting.
They are of the size twice smaller as Pekins. Campbells produce, on average an egg production bit higher than the production of bigger ducks. However, Campbells’ eggs are about 15 grams lighter and that does not pose a big issue because they are around 10 grams bigger than the largest average chicken egg eggs.
Runners Ducks
Unlike other duck breeds, Runners are famous farm birds laying blueish-green eggs. However, their egg production is lower than other that of other breeds. If you are interested in producing bluish-green eggs irrespective of the number of eggs you want, Runners is the best choice.The runner is also famous for reproduction; breeders tend to sell Runner ducklings often. As lightweight ducks averaging around 4.5 lbs, Runners have a smaller stature and that allows you to raise more birds per square foot.
Why Runners are known as good gardeners?
Runners are taller and lightweight. Their long legs allow them to jump higher and catch bugs like good garden ninjas.
Which Breeds are Good for Meat?
Both Pekins and Aylesbury are good as meat. But Aylesbury is an endangered breed, raising them requires conservatory consultation first.
| Egg production per year | 300 to 320 |
| Egg weight | 40 weeks: 65 to 70 grams |
| Age of egg lay | 4 months |
| Body weight at 40 weeks | 1.5 to 2 kg |
| Feed consumption | 150 to 16 grams |
| Mortality percentage of ducklings | (0 to 2 months) 2.5% |
| Mortality of adult ducks | (5 months to one and a half years) 5 to 6% |
Are Hybrid Ducks Good at Egg Production?
In many instances, crossbred animals show signs of improved features and skills. The same applies to ducks because crossbred ducks or hybrid duck breeds are producing large amounts of eggs. They have the disadvantage of producing offspring that cannot lay eggs. Therefore, hybrid domestic ducks are good for one-time use only because they are specifically raised for egg production only. Therefore, they do not surpass original breeds in duck farming for eggs.
Read More
Silkie Hen vs Rooster – Comprehensive Guide