What are some of the most common Duck Breeds and Hybrids.

While in the midst of duck season, and with it comes plenty of questions about which breeds you need to keep your backyard flock healthy and happy. It can be a bit overwhelming when trying to decide which duck breed you want – after all, there are so many options! From Mallards to Muscovy ducks, there are a number of different types that make great pets. In this blog post we’ll go over some common varieties that work well for beginners or experienced owners alike!

 

Ducks are a diverse bunch. There are roughly fifty different species of ducks, including:

• Dabbling duck breeds. These ducks are adapted to foraging on land and in shallow water. They have flat, broad bills that sieve out food from the surface of the water. Examples include Mallards, Pekin Ducks, Muscovy Ducks and Wigeons
• Puddle duck breeds. These ducks have more sensitive bills than dabblers—properly known to most people as “common” or wild mallard ducks—and they can feed underwater by submerging their entire heads beneath the surface of ponds or lakes (common goldeneys).
• Seabird duck breeds can dive deep into the ocean for food (scoters), or live in arctic climes where there isn’t much vegetation on land (eiders).
• Swimming/diving duck breeds typically use only their feet for swimming; examples include Wood Doves/Wood Ducks/Mallards etc., which walk overland but swim underwater with ease thanks to webbed feet.

 

Common Hybrid Ducks.

Hybrid ducks are bred from two different species. They can be used for meat or ornamental purposes, although hybrids that are bred for ornamental value tend to not be as good at producing eggs and meat as pure breeds. The most commonly produced hybrid duck is the Aylesbury breed, which is a cross between Pekin and Call duck breeds. Hybrid ducks can also be crossed with geese or wild mallards to produce unique breeds with beautiful plumage and varied feather colors.

 

Meat Duck Breeds.

If you’re looking for a breed of duck with excellent meat quality, these are the ones to choose. They’re also very hearty and hardy, so if you plan on keeping your flock indoors over the winter, these breeds are best suited for that purpose.

• Pekin: Unlike most other breeds of duck, the Pekin is a domestic breed that was originally bred in China by Emperor Shi-xiang circa 1873. It has since become one of the most common meat ducks worldwide despite its relative youth.

 

Common Farm Duck Breeds.

Breeds of ducks that are commonly kept on farms include the mallard, muscovy, pekin and rouen. The mallard is one of the most popular breeds of duck because it is a good egg layer, relatively calm and easy to care for. The muscovy is another popular farm duck as they are known to be quiet and docile in temperament while still being good layers. Pekin ducks were originally bred in China but have become more common in North America recently due to their hardiness under harsh conditions and high egg production capabilities. Rouens are another good choice for small farms as they produce large amounts of meat per bird while also being fairly docile despite their aggressive nature when it comes time for breeding season!

 

Quiet Ducks, Rare Ducks, and Other Uncommon Ducks.

• Quiet Ducks.

Quiet ducks are the best for those who want to keep their neighbors happy. They’re also one of the most popular breeds, so you will have no trouble finding them for sale at a nearby farm or pet store. The common American Quiet Duck is a great option for beginners because it’s easy to care for and very friendly around humans. It was originally bred in Germany but was brought over to America by settlers during the 18th century, where it became popular throughout rural areas thanks to its hardiness and abundance of offspring (they lay eggs every day). The Quiet Duck has since spread rapidly across North America, particularly in rural areas where there aren’t many people living nearby who might complain about an annoying noise coming from your backyard pond!

• Rare Ducks.

Rare ducks can be difficult to find in stores but tend to cost less than other breeds because they aren’t as popular with consumers (yet!). The Silver Orpington is one rare breed that stands out from other domestic poultry because it lays blue eggs instead of brown ones like most chickens do—which makes eating them easier on anyone who doesn’t like eating “dirty” food when dining out at restaurants!

 

Try some of these duck breeds.

In the spirit of the season, we’ve scoured the internet to find some great duck breeds. These are a few that we recommend giving a try!

• Rouen: This breed is known for its white feathers and chocolate-colored eyes. It’s also said to be smart and quick on its feet—a fun feature when they’re chasing each other around your backyard.
• Indian Runner: This breed tends to have a calm temperament, making it an ideal pet for beginners or those with small children in their household (although all ducks should be supervised by adults). They’re easygoing birds who enjoy being surrounded by people and will happily interact with you if given the chance. They come in many different colours of feathers such as brown, black, red etcetera..

 

The best way to experiment with different breeds is to visit a local farm or poultry show, where you can see a wide variety of ducks in one place. If you’re not sure where to start, consider getting some chicks and raising them yourself!