Fancy Duck Breeds

Fancy Duck Breeds

Popular as a pet, the domestic duck is descended from the green-headed mallard (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) and belongs to a large group of dabbling ducks that filter feed close to, or on, the water surface and also graze on grass shoots and seeds. Unlike the mallard, the Muscovy duck is in the tribe Anatini and has its origins in South and Central America. The two breeds are not closely related. The adult male can be distinguished from the female by its curled up tail.

The American Poultry Association (APA) has four classifications for ducks:

  • Bantam less than 1.1 kg
  • Light 1.8 – 2.25 kg
  • Medium 3.2 – 3.6 kg
  • Heavy more than 4.0 kg

Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese and swans. They are strong swimmers with medium to large bodies. They have historically been an important food source, and continue to be hunted as game, or raised as poultry for meat and eggs.

Fancy Duck Breeds

Sign up to the Echook Newsletter
for the latest from PoultryHub