Ducks vs Chickens: Advantages of Raising Ducks over Chickens

November 3, 2023 by Lauro Braganza

Have you ever asked yourself which is better to raise: ducks vs chickens? It is very common that in ranches and backyards, the raising of ducks and chickens is carried out in parallel, many times in the same pen and others separately, whatever the method, there are differences that make it easier to raise the duck over the hens.

Ducks are often thought to be more difficult to raise than chickens since they require a large pond to muddy the entire pen and are larger birds, there is nothing more false than that. Ducks are smarter, neater, and have a behavior that makes handling easier. So below we present a list of the advantages of handling it.

Advantages of Ducks vs Chickens

The behavior is one of the characteristics that differ the most when it comes to raising this poultry, since, unlike chickens, ducks are quieter, so if you want to raise poultry and do not want to disturb your neighbors, ducks are the answer.

Another great advantage that ducks have is that if they are free in the garden or plant fences they will not eat or uproot them. They don’t wipe out everything in their path like chickens do. Ducks are not in the habit of digging in the ground as their feet are webbed and they will not peck at most plants. However, it is always necessary to protect plants or vegetables. For this, a fence of 30 cm high is enough to keep the ducks away.

Speaking in terms of productivity, ducks lay larger eggs (although to a lesser extent, they produce longer), are nutritious and highly valued by the market, and their meat has a tasty, juicy, and more nutritious flavor than chicken, making it a highly sought-after product.

Nine out of ten people who start raising ducks have chicken and most mix these birds in the same pen. The good news is that ducks have the advantage of not suffering from red mite infestations, which is one of the most common parasites in chickens. Duck feathers are so thick and added to the natural oil they secrete and their nocturnal movements, mites find it difficult to feed on ducks.

Ducks and chickens can be raised in the same pen, you just need enough space. Roosters can cause serious damage using their beaks, so you need to make sure there are enough feeders for ducks and chickens to eat without getting hurt. Space is the key to allowing them to live.

It is a bird very resistant to diseases, which gives it one of the best advantages over chickens that get sick more easily. The reason is its better immune system and its great adaptability, which makes it a very robust and resistant animal. Learn about the most common diseases in ducks and how to avoid them.

Summary of the advantages of the duck

Many differences make the duck a better bird in terms of breeding, however, why is it more popular to raise chickens? Simple, chickens take less time to reach the market, they are earlier and produce more annual eggs. So industrially they are better for the economy.

Ducks on the other hand, although they are easier to raise and get sick less than chickens, they take longer to reach their optimum development for sale, and they produce fewer eggs per year. So they are less profitable for the industry.

We can summarize the advantages of the duck described in the first section in the following points:

They are quieter than chickens.
They do not scratch the ground and peck fewer plants than chickens.
They lay bigger eggs.
Its meat tastes better, is juicier, and is more nutritious.
They are more difficult to infest with red mites or other external parasites.
Ducks are more resistant to avian diseases.
If trained it can be a great pet for children and adults.
Duck farming is simpler and cheaper as chickens require the correct environmental conditions of artificially controlled light, temperature, and humidity.

These are some of the advantages of raising ducks compared to chickens, but the most important thing is what the objective of your farm is, whether it is for self-consumption, the sale of meat and eggs, or pets.

Questions about Ducks vs Chickens

Do chickens lay more eggs than ducks?

Ducks typically lay more eggs than chickens. Commercial chickens lay about 250 eggs a year, but commercial ducks can lay 300-350 eggs per year. Large chicken eggs weigh 24-26 ounces per dozen while duck eggs weigh 32-34 ounces per dozen.

Are chickens friendlier than ducks?

Ducks tend to be slightly friendlier, but most chickens are pretty easygoing, too. Ducks tend to be less aggressive toward other members of the flock.

Is a duck or chicken easier to take care of?

Ducks are much easier to control than chickens. Ducks of laying breeds can be easily confined with a fence only 2 feet high (as long as they have food and water and their buddies with them).

Are ducks more intelligent than chickens?

Ducks appear to be smarter and have more personality than chickens. Ducklings and goslings (baby geese) will imprint on humans; chickens will not.

Why you should raise ducks instead of chickens?

Ducks have an added layer of fat that chickens don’t have. Ducks also have waterproofing on their feathers to protect against the elements, as well as a thick down undercoat designed to keep them warm and dry in the water. This makes ducks far more cold-hardy than chickens.

Do ducks lay eggs without a male?

You don’t need a male duck (called a drake) for the females to lay eggs, but they won’t ever hatch into ducklings without a drake around. Also, ducks tend to be better year-round layers than chickens, continuing their egg production right through the winter without any added light.