![]() ![]() The meat is leaner than Pekin duck meat, yet their breasts are more plump, akin to a turkey. Not only is it believed to come from South America it has physical differences too.įor example, they nest like most other ducks, but they can also roost like chickens. The Muscovy duck, however, is a different species altogether. MuscovyĪll domesticated duck breeds are said to have originated from the wild Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) that we all recognize as the colorful ones swimming about on rivers and lakes. ![]() That being said, Pekins are generally calm, curious and friendly. We mentioned not to raise them because the ducklings are cute, but never said not to enjoy watching them roam about in your backyard. Their popularity may entice you to raise them, or it may do the opposite, knowing that there are more colorful breeds to choose from. In America, 90% of the duck meat consumed comes from white-feathered Pekins. The carcass is easy to clean compared to other breeds (such as Aylesbury, Blue Swedish and Rouen which have colored feather shafts) and they are ready to butcher at a young age, just 7-8 weeks. Pekins often top the list as they are a dual-purpose breed, providing both white-shelled eggs and meat. We’ll start with two of the most popular duck breeds for hobby farms: Pekins and Muscovies. So, if and when you can befriend the idea of eating the animals that you lovingly raise, you’ll now find some meat breeds to look after.Īll of them you will be able to butcher at home with some simple skills you can acquire from others both online and in real life. However, if you have any doubts, my best advice for you is to hold off on getting ducks until you are absolutely ready. If you have the space for ducks and don’t mind the mess, you are going to love having them. Trust me, there is hardly ever a lazy day on a farm.Īnd when you get ducks, you’ll be in for a certain amount of work: giving clean water – multiple times a day, feeding, cleaning, filling more water and so on. Yet if you are thinking of a self-reliant (or even self-sufficient) diet, then a quality source of protein may be necessary to give you the extra boost of energy you need to get all your chores done. Of course, you can always have a garden and be happy with your vegetable crop, gardening is one of the greatest outdoor activities I can think of. No homestead is entirely complete without animals or birds. ![]() They will be noted accordingly.Īgain, choose a duck breed based on your end goals and expectations – not just on the initial cuteness of the ducklings.īefore deciding on a duck breed for your own yard, consider reading this article first, to get a glimpse of what you may encounter: 11 Things You Need To Know About Raising Backyard Ducks Choosing ducks for meat production Naturally, there are multi-purpose duck breeds which cross the line into both meat and egg-laying. Yet, most people raise ducks for very pragmatic reasons: Duck and chicken aficionados all over the world love to decorate with images of their feathered friends. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. To help make ends meet, or to go even further than that: using your ducks as artistic inspiration to make products to sell online. Or maybe, you are entertaining the notion of making money from your homestead. Is it food you are after, to supplement the seasonal bounty from your garden? Whether you consider yourself a backyard gardener, homesteader, or hobby farmer with a sufficient amount of land, you’ll eventually find yourself making a quacking decision: what duck breed to choose?īefore choosing the breed, however, it is best to know what your expectations of the flock are.Īre you after a few gals to keep you company in the yard, or to integrate with your flock of chickens? Many duck breeders dabble in having more than one – after all, variety is the spice of life. Tracey has 17 Reasons to Raise Ducks Instead of Chickens if you need a little persuading.Īs you read through the article and find yourself taking a liking to more than one breed of duck, don’t be alarmed. The reasons to raise ducks are many and varied. Now that I’ve got you thinking more deeply about ducks, let’s dive into the motivation for keeping a brood on dry land. Did you know that very few ducks actually “quack”?Īre you aware that male ducks are called drakes? That females are called hens or ducks? And that a group of ducks in the water is called a raft, a paddling or a team?
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