which is best for you?
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Ducks vs. Chickens
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For clarity, by “ducks” we mean mallard-derived domestics, NOT muscovies which are considered invasive in the US.
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Both ducks & chickens have pros and cons you should know about before choosing one - or both.
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Here’s a 12-point comparison of ducks vs chickens:
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Ducks win.
They lay more and larger eggs than chickens, plus duck eggs are richer-flavored & more nutritious. .
1. Egg production:
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Ducks win.
Ducks & chickens start laying eggs roughly the same age, but ducks maintain peak egg production for more years and live longer than chickens.
2.
Months to production, productive life, & lifespan
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Tie.
If you’re looking for a meat producer, meat breeds of ducks and chickens finish at around the same weight and time.
3. Meat production:
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Ducks win.
Ducks are less prone to diseases & illnesses (espc. in wet climates), but vet care is harder to find & more costly.
4.
Healthcare & illness susceptibility
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Ducks win.
Ducks can thrive in a wider climate range than chickens — especially in wetter, cooler climates.
5.
Climate adaptability
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Ducks & chickens both need coops and other protective infrastructure. Ducks are flightless, chickens may need their wings clipped.
6. Housing & living areas
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Chickens win.
At a minimum, ducks need a water bowl deep enough to submerge their heads in (and ideally a pool). All chickens need is a drip nipple.
7. Water needs:
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Chickens win.
Chickens eat less than ducks, and their food is usually easier and less expensive to find (especially in organic formulations).
8. Feed needs & cost:
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Tie.
Both ducks and chickens are excellent foragers & pest control, but chickens can do more damage to a landscape since they scratch and dig.
9.
Foraging ability / pest control
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Ducks and chickens are both highly susceptible to predation in both rural & urban environments.
10.
Susceptibility to predators
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Starting young with regular handling and treats, both ducks and chickens can make excellent pets.
11.
Sociability as pets
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Chickens win.
– Female ducks are much louder than female chickens; male chickens are much louder than male ducks.
12. Noise
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Can’t decide which is best for you?
You can get ducks AND chickens, but raising both is more difficult.
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Flap on over for a deeper dive into ducks vs chickens!
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