Have you ever wondered which is better to raise: ducks or chickens? It is very common that in ranches and backyards, ducks and chickens are raised in parallel, many times in the same pen and others separately. Whatever the method, there are differences that make it easier to raise ducks over chickens.
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 behavior that makes handling easier. So, below, we present a list of the advantages of handling them.
Advantages of Ducks vs Chickens
Behavior is one of the characteristics that differs the most when it comes to raising ducks. 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 chickens, and most keep 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 must ensure enough feeders for ducks and chickens to eat without getting hurt. Space is the key to allowing them to live.
It is a bird that is 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 they produce more annual eggs. So, industrially, they are better for the economy.
Ducks, on the other hand, are easier to raise and get sick less than chickens, but 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 your farm’s objective, whether it is 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 yearly, but commercial ducks can lay 300-350 eggs yearly. 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. 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, water, and 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. Their feathers are waterproofed to protect against the elements, and they have 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 through winter without any added light.
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