Why you should raise ducks!

Move over backyard chickens, here are my top 5 reasons why backyard ducks are just as awesome to raise!! 

Duck Eggs

Did you know, duck eggs are larger, taste excellent scrambled, hard-boiled or fried and have a high-fat content which makes them wonderful for making all your favorite baked goods? 

When it comes to egg production, ducks lay year-round (and before sunrise), ducks molt several times throughout the year and the molt doesn’t affect egg productions like a chicken’s. Duck eggs are more expensive than chicken eggs (supply and demand) so if you sell eggs, you can fetch a higher return for your work. 

Robust Birds

When it comes to adapting to cold or warm weather climates, ducks are easy peasy. They are very cold-hardy and also heat-tolerant. Their complex circulation system keeps their feet from suffering frostbite like combs and wattles sometimes do in extremely cold climates. 

Tired of mites, fleas, and ticks? Because ducks spend so much time in the water, you don’t have to worry about those. More importantly, ducks are seldom bothered by Marek’s, Avian Flu or Coccidiosis, which can wreak havoc on chicken flocks.  

Lastly, ducks love to gobble up mosquito larvae, slugs, and all those pesky garden pests so you can enjoy a bug-free backyard while you watch the sunset. :-) 

Ducks Love Urban Backyards! 

Domestic ducks are quiet (most of the time), they can’t fly and even clearing a low fence isn’t a worry once they are fully grown. They also don’t take dust baths or scratch up your flower beds. Overall they are less destructive than chickens so if you’re worried about landscape destruction, I think ducks would be the perfect fit for you. 

Fun fact - A male duck is called a Drake

Low Maintenance

Ducks don’t need to roost and don’t require nesting boxes (they build their own nests). This means a duck can sleep on the floor or a bed of straw. Basically, all you need to do is love them, provide them food, clean water, access to a pool/tub of water and a secure place to live. Ducks Are Great! 

Ducks love the sun, rain, and snow. They are in a good mood 365 days a year!! 

How many videos on the internet have you seen of chickens being aggressive towards each other or towards people? Ducks aren’t like that, period. You never have to watch your back when in the presence of drakes. 

Ducks are easily entertained too. Give them a head of lettuce or a handful of FLYGRUBS in their water tub and they will have themselves a fun-filled afternoon. 

There you have it. My top 5 reasons for why you should also have ducks in your backyard! Let me know what you think or share your duck stories in the comments below.