Raising ducks is similar to raising chickens, but the two differ.
This informative article will delve into raising ducks and chickens in a backyard setting, exploring the similarities and differences between the two. We’ll cover important aspects such as their housing and care requirements, feeding and nutritional needs, egg-laying habits, and overall temperament. By the end of this article, you will better understand which option may be the best fit for your backyard flock.
Egg Production
Ducks lay more and larger eggs than chickens. You can expect 32-52 pounds of eggs per year from ducks, compared to 22-34 pounds from chickens.
Ducks and chickens start laying eggs at a similar age. Ducks typically start laying eggs between 16 and 24 weeks, while chickens begin laying eggs between 18 and 24 weeks. The time of year you acquire your poultry can also affect the time it takes them to start laying eggs.
Ducks generally have a longer productive life than chickens and can maintain peak egg production for 2-3 years, while chickens will maintain peak production for 1-2 years.
Most Productive Egg Laying Duck Breeds
| Breed | Yearly Egg Production | Size/Color |
| Anacona | 210-280 | white, blue, cream, or green colored |
| Buffs | 150-220 | large white to cream-colored |
| Campbell | 250-340 | white to cream-colored |
| Cayuga | 100-150 | charcoal-colored |
| Magpie | 240-290 | white, cream, blue, or green colored |
| Muscovy | 180-200 | extra-large |
| Pekin | 200 | large/extra-large white |
| Runner | more than 300 | white and blue-green |
| Saxony | 190-240 | white and blue-green |
| Silver Appleyard | 220-265 | extra-large white |
| Welsh Harlequin | 240-330 | cream-colored |
Most Productive Egg Laying Chicken Breeds
| Breed | Yearly Egg Production | Size/Color |
| Golden Laced Wyandotte | 200 | large brown |
| Isa Brown | 300 | large brown |
| Rhode Island Red | 150-200 | medium brown |
| New Hampshire Red | 299 | large brown |
| Red Star | 300 | medium-large |
| Marans | 150-200 | chocolate-colored |
| Ancona | 180-220 | white |
| White Leghorns | 280-320 | medium white |
| Golden Comet | 250-300 | large brown |
| Barnevelder | 180-200 | chocolate-brown colored |
| Ameraucana | 250-260 | various colors |
| Buff Orphington | 150-200 | large brown eggs |
| Australorp | 250-364 | medium light brown |
| Speckled Sussex | 200-300 | light brown |
| Hamburg | 200-210 | medium white |
| Barred Plymouth Rock | 200-280 | light brown |
| Welsummer | 150-160 | dark brown |
Meat Production
Different breeds of ducks and chickens may vary, but those bred for meat production generally reach the same weight in the same time frame. Duck meat has a distinct gamey taste compared to chicken meat and can even resemble red meat.
Chickens are easier to process for meat because they are easier to pluck.
Best Duck Breeds for Meat Production
| Breed | Size |
| Pekin | up to 7 lbs |
| Jumbo Pekin | up t 11 lbs |
| Rouen | up to 9 lbs |
| Muscovy | up to 14 lbs |
| Saxony | up to 10 lbs |
Best Chicken Breeds for Meat Production
| Breed | Size |
| Cornish Cross | up to 12 lbs |
| Jersey Giant | up to 13 lbs |
| Bresse | up to 7 lbs |
| Orphington | up to 10 lbs |
| Buckeye | up to 9 lbs |
Housing
Ducks are not as comfortable in captivity as chickens, so duck eggs are always free-range. Both ducks and chickens require secure coops to keep them safe from predators. Chickens may need their wing feathers clipped to prevent escaping, while domestic ducks cannot fly.
Chickens prefer to roost on perches above the ground, while ducks usually sleep on the ground. Small flocks of ducks often create a communal nest in a sheltered area, while chickens prefer individual laying boxes near their roosts.
In their coops, ducks need 2-6 square feet of space per bird, while chickens require 3-5 square feet per bird.
Mess
Ducks are way messier than chickens, their poop is way wetter, and you’ll need to change their bedding more frequently. Using a deep bedding method does not work with ducks. You will need to change their water more frequently because their need to “dabble” – get their food wet, means they are always backwashing into the water.
Life span
Ducks have a longer lifespan compared to chickens. Domestic ducks that are well cared for can live up to their teens and even reach 20 years old. On the other hand, chickens have an average lifespan of 5-7 years, with a maximum of around 10 years.
Diseases and Illnesses
Ducks are generally more resistant to diseases and illnesses, especially in wet climates. However, finding veterinary care for ducks can be more challenging than for chickens.
Ducks are more prone to injury if you aren’t keeping their living space clean. They are prone to frostbite on their feet if they have the opportunity to get wet and then freeze.
Hardiness
Ducklings are generally stronger and hardier than chicks because they are fully feathered right from the beginning and have a thick subcutaneous fat layer. They are designed to sustain cold and wet weather and can be shifted outside earlier than chicks. By the third week of their life, ducks can be out foraging, while chicks need to be kept in the brooder for at least six weeks, and longer if it’s very cold outside.
Ducks are more resilient than chickens in wet and cool weather conditions. Both animals enjoy warm and sunny weather. During winter, ducks’ feet can be prone to frostbite, whereas chickens are prone to get it on their waddles. Due to the extra energy required to keep warm, chicken hens tend to lay fewer eggs than duck hens.
Chickens are more susceptible to heat stroke and similar issues when temperatures rise, while ducks are not. On hot summer days, instead of seeking shade and a slight breeze like chickens, ducks take a dip or relax in the water for hours to cool off and stay content.
Water
Ducks need more water than chickens to stay healthy and happy. They require a deep water bowl to clean their nostrils, while chickens can manage with a water nipple dripper. Ducks clean themselves in water, which helps them maintain their feather health and remove mites. Although not mandatory, a swimming pool will make ducks happier and healthier.
Ducks cannot be raised without bathing water.
If you plan on raising ducks, you must provide them with a small pond or a kiddie pool of water that needs to be available year-round. However, if you live in an area with heavy winter freezes, there may be better options than ducks. You should also remember that it’s not enough to make a duck pond and leave it as it is. You’ll need to occasionally clean and change the pond water to keep it sanitary and prevent disease.
On the other hand, chickens groom themselves by dust bathing. These are much easier to create and maintain throughout the winter months. Chickens can make their dust baths by digging up a section of the run and allowing it to become dusty and dry.
When it comes to drinking water, ducks need a lot more water than chickens. While each chicken needs half a liter of water per day, ducks require a full liter each. Furthermore, ducks tend to make a mess of their watering system, as they like to play in it. Chickens, on the other hand, are more refined and don’t create such messes.
Feed
Chickens require less feed than ducks. Domestic ducks need approximately 5-7 ounces of feed per day, so they consume about 3 pounds per week. In contrast, laying chickens eat around 4 ounces of feed per day, while roosters and non-laying hens eat slightly less. Finding pre-mixed, species-specific feed for ducklings and mature ducks is more challenging than it is for chickens. Moreover, duck feed is generally more expensive and harder to find organically than chicken feed. One of the most significant differences between these two species is that ducks require much higher levels of niacin than chickens. Niacin isn’t present in chicken feed at sufficient levels for ducklings and ducks.
Portability
Ducks are easy to herd, making it simple to guide them into different areas. However, chickens cannot be herded, so their coop must be adjacent to foraging areas.
Chicken tractors are portable houses that work well for raising chickens but don’t work for ducks. Duck’s sleeping requirements and large water needs make it challenging to move the tractor every night.
Noise
Roosters are the loudest, and contrary to the notion that they only crow in the morning, they crow whenever they feel like it. Both duck and chicken hens are the quietest. Ducks’ noisiness will depend on breed; for example, Muscovy ducks are quiet. They make more hissing sounds than quacks, but they can get worked up and honk, much like geese. Mallard duck descendant breeds can be noisy throughout the day, but they won’t reach the decibel level a rooster does.
Pest Control and Foraging
Ducks and chickens control pests, but chickens harm landscapes more than ducks because they scratch and dig while foraging. Ducks use their bills to find food and are less likely to tear up plants and spread dirt everywhere. Both birds can damage lawns and gardens if unchecked, but chickens are more likely to cause harm.
Ducks and chickens can meet many of their nutritional needs by foraging areas with ample space and food. However, when free-ranging, they are more vulnerable to daytime predators. Ducks can forage in water sources, while chickens are restricted to land.
Both species, chickens and ducks, have a similar diet consisting of grains, bugs, and greenery. However, ducks have a greater preference for greenery than chickens. While chickens will consume any pest, they are not particularly fond of snails or slugs. In contrast, ducks enjoy eating these.
Trainability
With a treat-associated call, you can train ducks and chickens to go into their coop before dark. Ducks can be herded with sticks, but chickens can’t. Positive reinforcement allows both species to become comfortable around humans and make good pets.
Ducks are friendlier, but chickens are also generally easygoing. Ducks will be less aggressive towards other flock members, and if a duck pecks you, it won’t hurt as much as a chicken. Domestic ducks can’t fly, so they are easier to handle.
Predators
Both ducks and chickens are at high risk of being hunted by predators in both rural and urban areas. However, urban areas usually pose a greater threat due to the high population densities of certain predators like raccoons.
Ducks are particularly vulnerable to predators because they are slower to move. In contrast, chickens are quick to run for cover and, owing to their smaller size can hide in tighter spaces in case of danger. Predators such as raccoons, foxes, snakes, coyotes, and more can attack suddenly and without warning, so speed is crucial in avoiding danger.
FAQ’s
Can You Raise Ducks and Chickens Together?
Yes! Ducks and chickens work well when raised together. However, ducks make the setup messier and an imbalance in the male to female ratio will end in attempts at interspecies breeding.
How many Chickens or Ducks do You Need to Raise for Eggs?
To ensure a steady supply of a dozen eggs per week, it is recommended to keep 3 to 4 backyard chickens. Each chicken can produce roughly 3 to 4 eggs per week. If you plan to keep a rooster, it is advisable to have a ratio of 10 hens to one rooster. Chickens are social animals, so it’s best to have at least three of them to meet their social needs.
Similarly, ducks are also social animals, requiring a minimum of three of their kind. The ideal drake-to-hen ratio is 4 to 5 hens per drake. If you keep six ducks, you will likely get around two dozen eggs per week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ducks and chickens have pros and cons when it comes to keeping them as pets or raising them for their meat or eggs. While chickens are less complicated to care for, ducks are hardier and can withstand harsher weather conditions. Moreover, ducks are less damaging when they forage and can produce richer and more flavorful eggs. However, chickens are generally more popular and easier to find in most regions, and their eggs and meat are more widely consumed. Ultimately, choosing between ducks and chickens depends on one’s preferences and needs. Both birds can provide great joy and benefit to their owners, and with proper care, they can live long and healthy lives.