The most common poultry to keep for eggs is chickens, according to most people seeking to venture into egg farming. However, ducks make some of the best poultry for raising for eggs, especially if you're looking for rich-tasting eggs of a larger size than chicken eggs.
Although there are many varieties of ducks available, not all of them are suitable for egg production. For those who are raising ducks for eggs, understanding the best duck breeds is important. Here are ten of the best duck breeds to raise for egg production.
If raised in a peaceful environment, they can be excellent layers. Khaki Campbell ducks are extremely hardy. Khaki hens begin laying eggs between 5 and 7 months of age, which makes them among the best egg-laying breeds.
During the first few years of their laying cycle, young Khaki Campbell hens can lay more eggs than mature hens.
The Welsh Harlequin duck is another amazing egg-laying breed. Each year, it lays approximately 300 eggs. The Welsh Harlequin ducks have a docile and pleasant temperament. Welsh Harlequin hens are not only known for their high egg productivity but also for laying some of the largest white eggs, usually weighing 75 to 85 grams.
It takes Welsh Harlequin hens between six and seven months to reach maturity and start laying eggs. As early as five months of age, some hens will start laying eggs. In contrast to other breeds of ducks that lay eggs, Welsh Harlequin ducks are relatively easy to care for.
It takes Indian Runner ducks about five months to start laying, which makes them fairly early layer ducks. Nevertheless, some hens can begin laying as early as four months old. In terms of keeping, managing, and feeding ducks, Indian Runners are among the easiest.
In the winter, egg production decreases significantly, but Indian runners also lay persistently over a long period of time.
One of the most exciting aspects of keeping Indian Runner ducks for eggs is that they consume less food than other good egg-laying ducks. As well as laying larger eggs, hens lay eggs that weigh an average of 78 grams.
When these ducks are 25 to 30 weeks old, they begin laying eggs. One of the largest brown eggs are laid by Magpie hens, which lay olive-brown eggs. The average weight of their eggs is 80 grams. In contrast to female ducks of other breeds, magpie hens rarely go broody.
Moreover, it is quieter than most breeds of duck, making it a perfect breed for small-scale farmers who are looking for ducks to lay eggs. Moreover, Magpie ducks have a high disease resistance rate and are less likely to suffer from diseases that plague other duck species.
Their plumage color can vary greatly between subspecies, giving them a unique appearance. It is possible for magpie ducks to be cream, green, blue, or white in color.
Egg-laying ducks like Ancona are excellent dual-purpose breeds. They are either kept for meat or eggs or both. In terms of laying, Ancona ducks are great layers since they lay between 210 and 280 eggs per year on average.
They lay large eggs in a variety of colors. Eggs come in white, cream, or blue. The hens don't brood quickly, nor do they sit on the eggs in preparation for hatching.
The Ancona duck is also an early layer because hens usually begin to lay around five months of age, although some Ancona hens may take a while to lay. There is a 5 to 8-year laying period for Ancona hens.
In the first two years of its laying cycle, this breed's egg productivity is at its peak. The eggs of Ancona ducks become larger as they age. The average egg weight is 70 grams, which is decently large.
Duck eggs laid by Silver Appleyards typically range in weight from 80 to 96 grams. It is common for these ducks to lay very large white eggs, but they tend to get broody quickly. Eggs from Silver Appleyards have a rich, flavorful taste, as does their meat.
Silver Appleyards are an excellent duck breed if you are looking for a large, beautiful, and productive duck. Silver Appleyard ducks are generally quiet, making them good backyard egg-laying ducks, even though some are quite quacky.
Some hens will take a little longer to lay than others, but Pekin ducks typically begin laying at around five weeks of age. They are also wonderful pets because they are friendly and non-aggressive, as well as laying a reasonable number of eggs each year.
The Pekin duck lays extra-large white eggs. The extra-large white eggs of Pekin ducks can weigh up to 100 grams each. Pekin ducks thrive well in backyards because of their dynamic nature.
Ducks of the Saxony breed are great foragers and layers. Between 190 and 240 large white eggs are laid by these ducks. Despite their popularity as pets, these birds can also be used for meat. In contrast to other duck breeds, they rarely quack. Among their favorite foods are slugs, snails, and spiders, which they forage outside.
If properly cared for, Saxony hens can begin laying at around five months of age. Sexual maturity of some Saxony hens takes longer, however. In some cases, such hens take more than five months to begin laying. The average weight of their large white eggs is 80 grams. While Saxony ducks live longer than most ducks, they do not live as long as Pekin ducks.
Abacot Ranger ducks are incredibly friendly and peaceful birds. Aside from that, they can be tamed easily, which makes them wonderful exhibition birds. In terms of laying age, Abacot Ranger hens lay from between five and six months of age.
The relatively small size of these ducks makes them less likely to lay extra-large eggs than some of the best egg-laying duck breeds out there. Since their eggs weigh between 65 and 75 grams, the size of their eggs is still slightly larger.
In contrast to some heavier duck breeds, Orpington ducks mature quite early. It is common for Orpington hens to start laying between the ages of 17 & 24 weeks. The heavier duck breeds begin laying between 20 and 30 weeks of age. Large white or tinted eggs are laid by Orpington ducks.
In comparison to other eggs, their eggs are large, weighing between 80 and 90 grams each. In spite of the fact that they are moderate layers, these ducks are known for their broodiness. After laying a number of eggs, they will sit on their eggs. In spite of this, Orpington ducks can lay consistently for a very long time.
If you would rather raise ducks for meat, why not check out the Muscovy duck, along with Aylesbury ducks, Rouen ducks, and more featured in THIS article?
Do you keep any ducks for eggs? Which breeds do you have?
Although there are many varieties of ducks available, not all of them are suitable for egg production. For those who are raising ducks for eggs, understanding the best duck breeds is important. Here are ten of the best duck breeds to raise for egg production.
1. Khaki Campbell Duck
When you describe an egg-laying duck as efficient, you are ultimately referring to the Khaki Campbell. The egg productivity of this breed cannot be matched by some of the best-laying ducks. An average Khaki Campbell hen lays 325 large eggs a year. Providing your Khaki Campbell hens with a suitable laying environment can enable them to lay astonishing eggs weekly.If raised in a peaceful environment, they can be excellent layers. Khaki Campbell ducks are extremely hardy. Khaki hens begin laying eggs between 5 and 7 months of age, which makes them among the best egg-laying breeds.
During the first few years of their laying cycle, young Khaki Campbell hens can lay more eggs than mature hens.
2. Welsh Harlequin Duck
The Welsh Harlequin duck is another amazing egg-laying breed. Each year, it lays approximately 300 eggs. The Welsh Harlequin ducks have a docile and pleasant temperament. Welsh Harlequin hens are not only known for their high egg productivity but also for laying some of the largest white eggs, usually weighing 75 to 85 grams.
It takes Welsh Harlequin hens between six and seven months to reach maturity and start laying eggs. As early as five months of age, some hens will start laying eggs. In contrast to other breeds of ducks that lay eggs, Welsh Harlequin ducks are relatively easy to care for.
3. Indian Runner Duck
It is well known that Indian Runner ducks have an attractive appearance and charm. Furthermore, their hens lay around 300 large-white eggs per year. If you want to raise ducks for commercial egg production and have plenty of backyard space, these ducks would be ideal for you.It takes Indian Runner ducks about five months to start laying, which makes them fairly early layer ducks. Nevertheless, some hens can begin laying as early as four months old. In terms of keeping, managing, and feeding ducks, Indian Runners are among the easiest.
In the winter, egg production decreases significantly, but Indian runners also lay persistently over a long period of time.
One of the most exciting aspects of keeping Indian Runner ducks for eggs is that they consume less food than other good egg-laying ducks. As well as laying larger eggs, hens lay eggs that weigh an average of 78 grams.
4. Magpie Duck
In spite of the fact that Magpie ducks are not a good breed to keep for meat, they make a great choice if you want lots of duck eggs. Despite being lightweight, Magpie ducks are excellent egg producers. Among the most productive egg-laying duck breeds, these ducks lay between 250 and 300 eggs a year.When these ducks are 25 to 30 weeks old, they begin laying eggs. One of the largest brown eggs are laid by Magpie hens, which lay olive-brown eggs. The average weight of their eggs is 80 grams. In contrast to female ducks of other breeds, magpie hens rarely go broody.
Moreover, it is quieter than most breeds of duck, making it a perfect breed for small-scale farmers who are looking for ducks to lay eggs. Moreover, Magpie ducks have a high disease resistance rate and are less likely to suffer from diseases that plague other duck species.
Their plumage color can vary greatly between subspecies, giving them a unique appearance. It is possible for magpie ducks to be cream, green, blue, or white in color.
5. Ancona Duck
Egg-laying ducks like Ancona are excellent dual-purpose breeds. They are either kept for meat or eggs or both. In terms of laying, Ancona ducks are great layers since they lay between 210 and 280 eggs per year on average.
They lay large eggs in a variety of colors. Eggs come in white, cream, or blue. The hens don't brood quickly, nor do they sit on the eggs in preparation for hatching.
The Ancona duck is also an early layer because hens usually begin to lay around five months of age, although some Ancona hens may take a while to lay. There is a 5 to 8-year laying period for Ancona hens.
In the first two years of its laying cycle, this breed's egg productivity is at its peak. The eggs of Ancona ducks become larger as they age. The average egg weight is 70 grams, which is decently large.
6. Silver Appleyard Duck
The Silver Appleyard duck is a good layer besides having a calm temperament. During a year, the Silver Appleyard lays about 270 large eggs. You can use it both as a meat bird and as an egg bird. Since these heavyweight ducks start to lay around nine weeks of age, they mature rapidly.Duck eggs laid by Silver Appleyards typically range in weight from 80 to 96 grams. It is common for these ducks to lay very large white eggs, but they tend to get broody quickly. Eggs from Silver Appleyards have a rich, flavorful taste, as does their meat.
Silver Appleyards are an excellent duck breed if you are looking for a large, beautiful, and productive duck. Silver Appleyard ducks are generally quiet, making them good backyard egg-laying ducks, even though some are quite quacky.
7. Pekin Duck
Pekin ducks are excellent dual-purpose ducks. While this breed is mostly kept for duck meat, it also lays large eggs, up to 200 per year. In addition to laying for over ten years, these ducks are also among the longest-living laying breeds. A Pekin hen can lay for more than a decade.Some hens will take a little longer to lay than others, but Pekin ducks typically begin laying at around five weeks of age. They are also wonderful pets because they are friendly and non-aggressive, as well as laying a reasonable number of eggs each year.
The Pekin duck lays extra-large white eggs. The extra-large white eggs of Pekin ducks can weigh up to 100 grams each. Pekin ducks thrive well in backyards because of their dynamic nature.
8. Saxony Duck
Ducks of the Saxony breed are great foragers and layers. Between 190 and 240 large white eggs are laid by these ducks. Despite their popularity as pets, these birds can also be used for meat. In contrast to other duck breeds, they rarely quack. Among their favorite foods are slugs, snails, and spiders, which they forage outside.
If properly cared for, Saxony hens can begin laying at around five months of age. Sexual maturity of some Saxony hens takes longer, however. In some cases, such hens take more than five months to begin laying. The average weight of their large white eggs is 80 grams. While Saxony ducks live longer than most ducks, they do not live as long as Pekin ducks.
9. Abacot Ranger Duck
An Abacot Ranger duck is suitable for producing meat and eggs. In spite of its light weight, the duck is an excellent layer. An average of 200 white eggs can be laid by it each year. It's not common for this hardy breed to get broody quickly. The hen does not like to sit on her eggs either.Abacot Ranger ducks are incredibly friendly and peaceful birds. Aside from that, they can be tamed easily, which makes them wonderful exhibition birds. In terms of laying age, Abacot Ranger hens lay from between five and six months of age.
The relatively small size of these ducks makes them less likely to lay extra-large eggs than some of the best egg-laying duck breeds out there. Since their eggs weigh between 65 and 75 grams, the size of their eggs is still slightly larger.
10. Orpington Duck
Another domestic duck breed ideal for egg and meat production is the Orpington duck. Most Orpington ducks live between eight and twelve years, which makes them one of the longest-living ducks. The life expectancy of an Orpington duck can reach 15 years when well cared for. A typical Orpington duck lays about 220 large eggs in a year, which makes them decent layers.In contrast to some heavier duck breeds, Orpington ducks mature quite early. It is common for Orpington hens to start laying between the ages of 17 & 24 weeks. The heavier duck breeds begin laying between 20 and 30 weeks of age. Large white or tinted eggs are laid by Orpington ducks.
In comparison to other eggs, their eggs are large, weighing between 80 and 90 grams each. In spite of the fact that they are moderate layers, these ducks are known for their broodiness. After laying a number of eggs, they will sit on their eggs. In spite of this, Orpington ducks can lay consistently for a very long time.
Conclusion
While some are dual purpose breeds, there are some duck breeds that are excellent layers, even though they don't lay as well as chickens. In comparison with different breeds of ducks, these breeds lay a greater number of eggs. Eggs laid by these birds are large as well. If you keep egg-laying ducks for eggs, ensure that you give them proper care to optimize their productivity.If you would rather raise ducks for meat, why not check out the Muscovy duck, along with Aylesbury ducks, Rouen ducks, and more featured in THIS article?
Do you keep any ducks for eggs? Which breeds do you have?
