20 best duck breeds for pets

mallard duck best duck breeds for pets



The best duck breeds for pets and eggs are friendly, intelligent, and easy to raise. There are a lot of different duck breeds out there, but not all ducks make great pets. Some breeds are too aggressive, too timid, or just aren’t very intelligent. Others are bred for their eggs and not well-suited to live with humans.

Ducks are becoming increasingly popular as pets, and it’s easy to see why. These playful, intelligent birds can make a great addition to any household.

One of the best things about ducks is their personality. They are curious, social animals that love to explore and play. They are also highly intelligent, and can be trained to do a variety of tricks.

Ducks are also low-maintenance pets. They don’t require as much attention or space as other animals, and they are easy to care for. They can live in a backyard or in a house, as long as they have access to water and shelter.

When it comes to diet, the best duck breeds for pets and eggs are omnivores, which means they can eat a wide variety of foods. They will enjoy a diet of commercial duck food, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. You can also give them treats like cooked rice, pasta, or grains.

One of the most important things to consider when researching the best ducks for pets and eggs is their housing. The best duck breeds for pets and eggs need a safe, secure place to live, where they can sleep and nest. They also need access to clean water, both for drinking and for swimming. If you live in a cold climate, you will need to provide your ducks with a heated shelter in the winter.

Overall, the best duck breeds for pets and eggs make can be wonderful for people of all ages. They are fun, loving, and easy to care for, and they can bring joy to any household.

These ducks should be tame enough to handle easily and have good temperaments, so they don’t mind being handled by people they don’t know.
These ducks will also need more room than other breeds because they’re larger and can be more destructive when bored.

Here are some of the best duck breeds for pets:

white pekin duck pets
photo credit ig: twolittlepekinducks

Pekin ducks

Pekin ducks, or White Pekin ducks, are duck breeds domestic that originated in China. Pekin ducks are known for their white plumage and orange bills and feet. They are large ducks, with males weighing up to 8 pounds and females weighing up to 6 pounds.

Pekin ducks are highly adaptable and can live in a variety of environments. They are hardy birds and can withstand cold temperatures. They are also good swimmers and enjoy spending time in the water.

Pekin ducks are known for their excellent egg production, but they also make great pets due to their calm temperaments and friendly personalities.

Pekin ducks grow about 15 inches tall and weigh 5-6 pounds when fully grown. They come in several color varieties: white, buff, black, silver, and blue. Pekin’s have a round head and bill, which is flat at the top compared to other breeds.


Pekin is on our list for the best duck breeds for pets because they require little maintenance (making the Pekin one of the cleanest duck breeds) and only need a small area for their coop and run. They are also a top pick of pet owners at they have tried to potty train ducks and made diapers for them. They can be kept in an outdoor pen or coop, but they will need some sort of shelter from the elements. If you have a pond or pool, they’ll enjoy bathing in it.


These ducks stand out because of their bright plumage, which makes them a good choice for beginners. They also have large bills that can be used as a tool while they’re eating or exploring their surroundings (they don’t like being restrained).

pet duck welsh harlequin swimming in bathtub
photo credit ig: cardiff_the_duck

Welsh Harlequin

Welsh Harlequin Duck, a breed of domestic duck originating in Wales, is known for its beautiful markings. It is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive coloring, characterized by a white body with patches of chestnut and green on the head and wings.

Welsh Harlequin ducks are a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. Males typically weigh between 6 and 7 pounds, while females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. They are slightly smaller than some other breeds of domestic duck, such as the Pekin duck, which can weigh up to 8 pounds for males and 6 pounds for females.

Welsh Harlequin ducks are excellent for beginners who want to raise ducks as pets. They are hardy and friendly, so they’re also great for children to care for.
Welsh Harlequins lay many eggs per year, which makes them an ideal choice for egg production.
The Welsh Harlequin makes the best duck breeds for pets and eggs because they make good mothers: the females are excellent at brooding and protecting their young from predators such as hawks or raccoons. The males can be aggressive toward other ducks, so keep that in mind if you’re considering purchasing a pair.

Cayuga ducks


Cayuga ducks are a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. They are known for their distinctive black plumage, which is shiny and iridescent. Males typically weigh between 6 and 7 pounds, while females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds.

Cayuga’s make the best duck breeds for pets and eggs as they are known for their friendly, gentle temperament and calm demeanor. They are also known for being great mothers, making them ideal for breeding.
Cayuga ducks are excellent egg layers, producing up to 200 eggs per year.

Blue Swede ducks


Blue Swede ducks are a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. They are known for their distinctive blue-gray plumage and orange bills and feet. Males typically weigh between 6 and 7 pounds, while females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds.

Blue Swede ducks are another rare breed that’s perfect for the backyard. They are small, hardy, and have a calm temperament. They are also quite friendly and make good pets if you have the space for them.

Blue Swede ducks were originally bred as meat birds, but they soon became popular as pets. Today they are used as show birds, but many people keep them as pets because they make good mothers and produce large numbers of eggs (they are excellent egg layers).
They are very friendly and can be kept with other ducks, chickens, and even cats and dogs. These ducks have been known to eat almost any vegetable, including kale, spinach, and carrots. The males have an iridescent sheen on their feathers that makes them quite distinctive.

Pet Mallard duck is turning green

Mallard Ducks

Mallard ducks are a medium-sized breed of wild duck. They are the most common and widespread duck species in the world, and are known for their distinctive green head and brown body. Males, or drakes, typically weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, while females, or hens, weigh between 1 and 1.5 pounds.


Mallards are one of the most common breeds of ducks in the world. Mallards make our list of the best duck breeds for pets because they’re highly intelligent and easily trained, but also because they’re happy nature. They don’t need a lot of human attention to be happy and content, so if you’re busy with work or family life, this is a great breed for you.

Mallards are the most recognizable type of duck because they are often seen in wild habitats. They’re also called wild ducks because they’re native to North America and Europe. Mallards are grayish-green with black stripes on their bodies, yellowish-orange bills, and brown eyes.

They are great pets because they are very social animals, but they need plenty of room to roam around outside if you don’t have a large pond or pool to swim in.
Mallards are also great egg layers—they can lay an average of 250

eggs per year (though it depends on their age). In addition to laying eggs, mallards are known for being good mothers who take care of their young very well.

Crested duck breeds

Crested ducks are a group of duck breeds that are characterized by their distinctive crested head feathers. These breeds come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to medium-sized. Some of the most popular crested duck breeds include the Indian Runner duck, the Campbell duck, and the Buff Orpington duck.

green indian runner duck

Indian Runner ducks are a small to medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds and females weighing between 2 and 2.5 pounds. Campbell ducks are a medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and females weighing between 4 and 5 pounds. Buff Orpington ducks are a medium to large-sized breed, with males weighing up to 8 pounds and females weighing up to 6 pounds.

What is the least messy duck breed?


The Crested Ducks makes our list as the best duck breeds for pets because they are fun to watch, easy to care for, and friendly around people. Crested ducks have unique feathers and combs on their heads that give them an exotic look.
These breeds are available in several colors and patterns, so you can find the perfect bird for your family. Crested breeds are easy to care for because they don’t require as much space as other ducks. They can even be kept indoors as pets if you prefer.

They’re also known for being quite social with people and other animals. These ducks love interacting with their owners and often follow their owners around as puppies or kittens would. These birds are very intelligent and learn quickly if they’re taught basic commands such as “come” or “sit.”

Magpie ducks


Magpie ducks are medium-sized birds with white bodies and black heads. They can be very charming and social, as well as energetic and playful. Magpies make our list of the best duck breeds for pets as they are also known for their calm temperament, which makes them good custom pet for families with children or other animals.
Like many breeds, the magpie duck is an excellent forager, so it’s important to provide plenty of grasses, weeds, and greens in their diet (especially brassicas).
They will also enjoy fruit like apples or berries and vegetables such as corn on the cob or green beans; just don’t feed them too much sugar!

Indian Runner duck


Indian runner ducks are a cross between a mallard and ruddy ducks. ndian Runner ducks are a small to medium-sized breed of duck. They are known for their distinctive upright posture and long, slender bodies. Males of this breed typically weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, while females weigh between 2 and 2.5 pounds.

They are suitable for beginners because they are friendly and easy to handle. They also make good pets since they can be kept in small spaces and forage well outside their enclosures.
You’ll have no problem keeping up with their water and feed needs, so if you have less room to keep your duckies happy, this is a great breed!
Indian runners lay eggs year-round (from spring through autumn), which is a bonus if you’re looking for fresh eggs or just want some extra income from selling them at the market or on Craigslist (or wherever else).

The Indian Runner duck is included in the best duck breeds for pets as they are also good foragers; they’ll eat whatever you give them, including grains, grasses, weeds, insects, worms, etc. If you have an outdoor garden or even just a balcony, runner ducks will help keep pests away from your plants—they love to eat slugs and snails.

Buff duck


Buff ducks are medium-sized birds, with males weighing about 5 pounds and females about 3 pounds. They have a round body shape with small heads and beaks, short legs, and curved bills. Their feathers range from light brown to an almost orange-yellow shade.
Buff ducks make the best duck breeds for pets list as they are very docile animals that are easy to handle. They make good pets for children because they aren’t afraid of dogs or cats like some other breeds can be. They can also become quite attached to their owners and are known for being very loyal animals.
The Buff Duck makes a great pet because it is not aggressive towards people or other animals, making it easy for them to live together in groups without fighting or quacking loudly at each other all the time. Their eggs are also very tasty!

Khaki Campbell duck
Khaki Campbell ducks are a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. They are known for their distinctive khaki-colored plumage and orange bills and feet. Males of this breed typically weigh between 5 and 6 pounds, while females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds.

The Khaki Campbell duck is a good choice for beginners because they are docile and easy to train. They lay well, too: they will produce eggs each day until they are about 18 months old.
They’re also a great size; they only grow to be 6-8 pounds—perfect for the backyard flock owner with limited space. Being in love with it is difficult to resist their friendly faces and soft feathers.

Polish breeds

Polish breed ducks are a group of duck breeds that are characterized by their distinctive crested head feathers. These breeds come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small to medium-sized. Some of the most popular Polish breed ducks include the White Crested duck, the Buff Laced duck, and the Silver Appleyard duck.

White Crested ducks are a small to medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 pounds and females weighing between 2 and 2.5 pounds. Buff Laced ducks are a medium-sized breed, with males weighing between 5 and 6 pounds and females weighing between 4 and 5 pounds. Silver Appleyard ducks are a medium to large-sized breed, with males weighing up to 8 pounds and females weighing up to 6 pounds.


A Polish breed is a good option for the best duck breeds for pets if you’re looking for a calm and friendly duck. The Polish breeds are known for their calm temperaments, making them great pets for families with children.
The Polish breed is small, friendly, and easy to care for. This breed is a good choice for someone who wants a pet duck but doesn’t have a lot of room in the house or yard.
Polish ducks are hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures with minimal shelter. They do best in temperate climates and need at least 8 hours of sunlight daily.
They become tame quickly and often come up to be fed by hand. They are good egg layers and can produce as many as 200 eggs per year.
Polish ducks are not flighty birds, so they don’t need much space to roam around in the yard or on the farm. They are active feeders and will eat insects, vegetables, and grain pellets easily provided by their owners.

Muscovy Duck

Muscovy ducks are a large breed of domestic duck. They are known for their distinctive red facial skin and black and white plumage. Males of this breed, also known as drakes, can weigh up to 10 pounds, while females, also known as hens, can weigh up to 8 pounds.


The Muscovy is a large duck with a somewhat upright stance. It’s also known for being hardy and easy to care for—so much so that some people keep them indoors. A Muscovy can adapt well to almost any environment, from the suburbs to small backyards.
These are the largest breed of duck, but they are also the most gentle.

Muscovy ducks have been domesticated for over 2,000 years, so they’re easy to handle and tame. They typically are more active in the day than other breeds and can fly, although they don’t fly very far.
When defending their turf, they can also be combative and protecting nests and eggs, so keeping them in an outdoor enclosure is best.
They are friendly ducks and will not fly away, but you’ll need some space if you want this breed because they’re larger than other ducks (they grow up to 10 inches tall).

Ancona Duck
Ancona ducks are a breed of domestic duck originating in Italy. Ancona ducks are a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. They are known for their distinctive black and white spotted plumage and orange bills and feet. Males of this breed typically weigh between 5 and 6 pounds, while females weigh between 4 and 5 pounds.

Anconas make good foragers, but they are also prone to obesity if not managed correctly by their owners. -This can lead to health problems such as heart disease or liver issues later on in life.
These birds are small and hardy with plenty of personalities.

Australian Spotted Duck
One of the most common ducks in Australia is the most unusual-looking breed of duck out there. They have black feathers and white spots all over their bodies (including their faces). Not only do they have great looks, but they have interesting personalities too.
These ducks are very active and love to swim or run around in the yard with their family members. They can be kept in pairs or groups with other Australian Spotted Ducks or other breeds of ducks.
The Australian Spotted Duck makes an excellent pet duck for anyone looking for something different from the regular white-feathered ducks.

Rouen Duck
Rouen ducks are a large breed of domestic duck. They are known for their striking appearance, which is similar to that of wild Mallard ducks. Males of this breed, also known as drakes, can weigh up to 10 pounds, while females, also known as hens, can weigh up to 8 pounds.

Rouen ducks are good foragers and will graze on grass, weeds, and seeds. They are very hardy and can withstand cold weather well. Rouen ducks produce large meaty eggs with a high production rate of 160 eggs per year at maturity.
Rouen ducks have an upright stance with their head held high, giving them a proud appearance. Their plumage is white to dark gray with black tail feathers and distinctive iridescent green specks on their heads (called caruncles).

Abacot Rangers ducks

Abacot Ranger ducks are a large breed of domestic duck originally from England. They are known for their distinctive brown and white mottled plumage and orange bills and feet. Males of this breed, also known as drakes, can weigh up to 10 pounds, while females, also known as hens, can weigh up to 8 pounds.

Abacot Rangers are the best duck breeds for pets too. They’re friendly, easy to care for, and can be kept in a small enclosure. These ducks are good foragers and will happily eat many different types of food, including bugs and greens. Abacot Ranger ducks lay about 100 eggs yearly, more than the average laying hen but not as much as some other breeds.
Abacot Rangers make excellent mothers because they go broody (sit on their eggs) very easily, which means that if you want babies, you just need to provide them with an incubator or nest box!

Orpington duck

Orpington ducks are a large breed of domestic duck that originated in England. They are known for their distinctive fluffy plumage and orange bills and feet.
One of the top breeds is the Orpington for beginners, and are the best duck breeds for pets especially new pet owners, and those who have never owned a duck before. They are laid back, friendly, and non-aggressive, making them perfect for families with small children. They are also not fussy eaters, so you don’t need to worry about them not getting enough food or nutrition!
Orpington’s make good egg layers; they produce an average of 180 eggs per year, which is higher than most breeds on this list. They can be kept in small spaces such as your backyard but also do well when allowed access to grassy areas where they can graze on bugs or slugs that may be found there!
Because Orpington’s are pretty good at foraging for food themselves (some even like eating lettuce!), it makes sense that they would do well if kept together in groups instead of just one bird by itself. -This means that if you wanted something more interactive, owning multiple Orpingtons might be worth looking into!

Silver Appleyard ducks

Silver Appleyard ducks are a large breed of domestic duck that originated in England. They are known for their distinctive silver and black plumage and orange bills and feet.

When it comes to diet, Silver Appleyard ducks are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods, including commercial duck feed, fresh fruits and vegetables, and small insects and worms. They should have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Saxony ducks

Saxony ducks are a large breed of domestic duck that originated in Germany. They are known for their distinctive blue-gray plumage and orange bills and feet.
The Saxony ducks is an excellent choice for your flock and makes the best duck breeds for pets. This breed is known for being very docile and friendly, with little to no aggression (aside from when breeding season comes around).
The Saxony also has good egg production and can be used as a forager. They make great mothers, often raising their young in the coop or pen rather than letting them free-range out in the yard. One thing to consider: these birds are easy to handle, so you’ll want to ensure they don’t get away from you!

Aylesbury ducks
The Aylesbury duck is a medium-sized breed of domestic duck. It was developed in the 19th century from cross-breeding different varieties of wild Mallard ducks and is named after Aylesbury Vale, a fertile agricultural region of southern England. The breed was first known as the Silver Duck, but this name was abandoned when it became clear that other breeds existed with white plumage. The breed standard calls for solid black plumage with green legs and bill; however, various color variations occur naturally and are accepted by breeders. White Aylesburys were once common but are now considered rare.
These ducks have been bred to be friendly towards people and other animals. They’re also very calm and easygoing. -This makes them a great choice for households with children or pets who like to interact with their backyard animals.

We hope you have enjoyed learning more about some of the best duck breeds for pets. Ducks are a popular choice for pets; luckily, they’re not just for kids. Ducks can make great companions for adults, too. We also have some great custom dog mug ideas to share here. They’re easy to care for and can be kept in the house or your backyard.
If you’re looking for a pet duck, there are plenty of great breeds to choose from.

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