When you think of eggs, the first birds you think of are probably chickens. And that makes sense, that’s where pretty much all of our eggs come from these days! But that might not be the case forever…
Ducks are becoming popular again in poultry circles, and in a big way. And yes, I’m talking about right here in the US. Turns out US consumers are finally developing an appreciation for duck eggs and meat alike.
Accordingly, if you want to start your own flock of layers to keep yourself and your family rolling in these rich eggs, or to start a business, you’ll need the right birds. I’m here to help you pick winners with the breeds that’ll give you at least 140 eggs every year.
Rouen
A distinguished French breed with a great reputation for a calm, serene attitude and also for producing tender and intensely flavorful meat, these big birds are also pretty capable layers of big tan or olive eggs. You can expect this heritage breed to give you anywhere from 140 to 180 eggs yearly.
They are a great all-around utility breed and perfect if you want a flexible flock. Just pay attention when you’re getting your ducklings, though: they come in production and show or exhibition varieties.
The latter tends to live longer but grows a lot slower, meaning you’ll be waiting longer to get eggs too. A beautiful breed that is perfect for a backyard flock or a multipurpose operation.
Swedish Blue
An older and highly respected domestic breed but, sadly, one that is quite rare here in the US, Swedish Blues are famous for being very calm, friendly, and easy to handle, meaning they are the perfect duck for beginners.
They get their name from their steely gray plumage which has a faintly iridescent sheen in the sunlight.
You can expect Swedish Blues to yield anywhere from 140 to 180 large, bright white eggs every year. Another dual-use duck, they’re also capable producers of meat which is known to be quite lean and highly flavorful.
If you don’t care about that, you’ll be happy to know that they are long-lived, very healthy, and tend to form close bonds with their owners as long as they are treated nicely.
If all you want is eggs in a long, pleasant life with your flock, Swedish Blues can be a great choice if you can find them.
Indian Runner
One of the neatest ducks on our list also happens to be among the most unique in the world. Indian Runners don’t look like any other duck, or most other birds for that matter. That’s because they stand upright and run everywhere. I know, talk about truth in advertising, for once!
They happen to be quite fast and because of this, they need lots of exercise which means you’ll need a bigger homestead if you want to keep them properly and safely. If you can do that, they reward you with lots of laughs from their antics but also lots and lots of eggs.
Although theirs aren’t as big as other breeds on our list, they do lay a ton of them with healthy hens cranking out 300 or a little more every year. This is definitely a fun breed if you can put up with their eccentricities.
Buff Orpington
A dual-use duck that is just as often kept for meat or as a pet as it is for eggs, these birds hail from England, and get their name from the famous Orpington farms. This is the same place, and country, that Orpington chickens come from!
Orpingtons are especially popular on smaller homesteads because they don’t need much room; they aren’t typically very active.
Due to this, they tend to gain weight quickly which must be managed for health over time unless you are planning to harvest them for meat. They also cannot fly because they are so chunky!
They’re very respectable layers, producing anywhere from 180 to 250 large white or off-white eggs yearly.
Saxony
Curious, inquisitive, and friendly, Saxony ducks are a German breed that is greatly beloved by duck fanciers around the world. You’ll love watching them go to and fro on their explorations of your yard, and constant playing in and around the water.
Saxonies are known as a dual-use breed that is especially recommended for meat thanks to the super flavor.
The skin of these ducks is said to add a special appeal to dishes, especially when it’s made crispy. They aren’t pushovers when it comes to eggs, either, producing anywhere from 190 to 245 large white eggs every year.
This is also one of the most gorgeous breeds in the world, known for its athletic build and attractive coloration consisting of a broken tan and white with bright orange legs.
Pekin
Far and away the most popular domestic duck in the United States, Pekins are very large and tend to grow quite quickly.
Most males top out at between 8 and 10 pounds, while females are a little lighter at around 8 pounds. Note that there is a jumbo variety that can reach an astonishing 12 pounds or even a little more.
Obviously, they are one of the most popular meat breeds! But what most people don’t know is that they are also dependable egg layers, laying anywhere from 140 to 225 eggs a year — strain-dependent!
Note that females tend to only have a few good years of egg production in them before they start to slow down considerably every year after that.
Pekins are available everywhere, affordable, and tend to be quite friendly, making them another great beginner duck.
Ancona
These striking ducks are excellent egg layers, producing anywhere from 200 to 280 eggs every year, but sadly, they’re still somewhat threatened in the United States despite bouncing back from near extinction.
Anconas are instantly recognizable by their broken gray, black, and white coloration, their pale gray bills, and dusky orange legs.
They’re said to be among the healthiest and most self-sufficient of all domestic duck breeds, and are known for a long life and very consistent egg output.
They’re among the most adaptable breeds when it comes to varying weather conditions. Neither heat nor cold will faze them!
A medium breed, they are stocky and rarely weigh more than six and a half pounds. They tend to be calm, easygoing, and relatively easy to handle but they can be standoffish if they aren’t raised with plenty of socialization and human interaction.
Magpie
Magpies are instantly recognizable, and one glance at them will tell you everything you need to know about their name. Their modeled black and white or black and brown coloration closely resembles the corvids that share their name.
An extremely popular pet duck due to their love of humans, friendliness, and adorable personalities, magpies are nonetheless tremendous layers and very long-lived to boot. These ducks can give you an astonishing 290 eggs every single year, and it is the rare hen that will lay less than 220.
Even a small flock of these girls will keep you, your neighbors, and all of your friends and family overflowing with delicious, rich duck eggs. And, this is a relationship that can go the distance. These birds are known to routinely live to be 12 years old or older, and some exceptional individuals have reached 20 and even beyond!
Welsh Harlequin
A new, relatively speaking, domestic breed that was developed in the 1940s, the Welsh Harlequin is still relatively rare in the United States but has an absolutely devoted keeper community and also intensive, dedicated breeders and hatcheries.
Named for their show-stopping and beautiful silver, gray, white, and black feathers, you won’t mistake them for any other. Their good looks have made them popular at poultry expos and competitions.
Nominally a dual-use duck, they are one of the most remarkable egg layers out there, typically producing anywhere from 275 to 300 large eggs per year for at least the first several years of their life.
These ducks tend to be good-natured, easy to get along with, and very easy to care for. This is another breed resistant to extreme weather, but in this case, they can put up with intense cold. They don’t fare quite as well in hot areas, though.
Even if you do live in an arid climate, they will do fine as long as you can provide them shade and water as usual.
Khaki Campbell
Last on our list but first among the super layer breeds, if you want eggs and tons of them, Khaki Campbells should be your first and last pick. These medium-size, tan ducks can give you 330 eggs yearly, and only rarely will they lay less than 300 a year.
These ducks have excellent genetics thanks to careful breeding, and they are particularly healthy and robust in a variety of environments.
They have a reputation for being friendly overall, but they tend to be nervous and retreat from people and nerve-racking situations with little provocation, meaning you might have to spend more time around them, especially if you have a larger parcel.
If you are serious about getting the most eggs you can from your flock, Khaki Campbells are your very best choice with no reservations.
Tom has built and remodeled homes, generated his own electricity, grown his own food and more, all in quest of remaining as independent of society as possible. Now he shares his experiences and hard-earned lessons with readers around the country.
Find out more about the team here.