The Most Popular Duck Breed, Ranked

Choose the duck breed you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:36
Choosing a duck breed for farming or as a pet requires careful consideration of their traits, which vary widely from one breed to another. By ranking the most popular ones, potential owners and enthusiasts can make informed decisions based on a wide array of community preferences and experiences. This collective insight helps ensure that the suitability and characteristics of each breed are well-understood. This site offers a dynamic list where individuals contribute their votes to reflect their preferences and experiences with different duck breeds. As more people participate, the accuracy of the rankings improves, providing a clearer picture of popular opinion. We encourage visitors to add their vote, helping others in their community make better choices when selecting a duck breed.

What Is the Most Popular Duck Breed?

  1. 1
    57
    votes
    Pekin Duck
    Rudolf Kramer (1844–1904) · Public domain
    The Pekin duck is the most popular domestic duck breed in the world. They are known for their large size, white feathers, and friendly disposition.
    The Pekin Duck, also known as the Peking Duck, is one of the most popular duck breeds worldwide. It is a large, white-feathered domesticated breed that originated in China. The Pekin Duck is highly regarded for its flavorful and succulent meat, making it widely used in culinary preparations and as a poultry product. It is also commonly kept as a backyard pet and for commercial egg and meat production.
    • Size: Large
    • Feathers: White
    • Origin: China
    • Popular Use: Culinary purposes, egg production, meat production
    • Meat Quality: Flavorful and succulent
  2. 2
    17
    votes
    The mallard duck is one of the most widespread and recognizable duck species in the world. They are found in nearly every wetland habitat in North America, Europe, and Asia.
    The Mallard Duck is a common and widely recognized dabbling duck. It is found throughout North America, Eurasia, and parts of Central America. The male (drake) has a distinctive green head, yellow bill, white neck ring, chestnut-colored chest, and gray body. The female (hen) is overall mottled brown with an orange bill. Mallards are known for their adaptability and have successfully colonized various habitats, including urban areas and agricultural landscapes.
    • Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
    • Average Length (Male): 58 cm (23 in)
    • Average Length (Female): 56 cm (22 in)
    • Wingspan: 81–98 cm (32–39 in)
    • Weight (Male): 0.72–1.58 kg (1.6-3.5 lb)
    Mallard Duck in other rankings
  3. 3
    22
    votes
    The Muscovy duck is a popular domestic duck breed known for its large size, meat quality, and unique appearance. They are also known for their ability to control insect populations.
    The Muscovy Duck, also known as Cairina moschata, is a large breed of domestic duck. It originates from South and Central America, where it is native to the tropical and subtropical regions. Muscovy Ducks are highly valued for their unique characteristics, including their meat, eggs, and ornamental qualities.
    • Size: Large
    • Weight: 8-15 pounds (3.6-6.8 kg)
    • Plumage: Varies in color, including black, white, and various patterns
    • Distinct Features: Large red facial wattles and caruncles, raised crest on the head, and sharp claws
    • Flight Ability: Limited flight capability
  4. 4
    18
    votes
    The Rouen duck is a domesticated breed of mallard duck that is raised for meat production. They are known for their large size, meat quality, and attractive plumage.
    The Rouen Duck is a popular breed known for its large size and beautiful plumage. It closely resembles the Mallard duck but is larger and more upright in stature. The breed originated in France and was developed in the 19th century. Rouen Ducks are primarily raised for their meat and exhibition purposes.
    • Size: Large
    • Plumage: Beautiful, resembling Mallard duck
    • Stature: Upright
    • Origin: France
    • Purpose: Meat production, exhibition
  5. 5
    21
    votes

    Khaki Campbell Duck

    Mrs. Adele Campbell
    The Khaki Campbell duck is a popular domestic duck breed known for its high egg production and excellent foraging ability. They are also known for being less noisy than other duck breeds.
    The Khaki Campbell Duck is a highly popular breed known for its excellent egg-laying abilities and versatile nature. It originated in England and was created by a famous poultry breeder named Mrs. Adele Campbell in the late 1800s.
    • Size: Medium-sized
    • Weight (Male): 2.2 - 2.5 kg (4.8 - 5.5 lbs)
    • Weight (Female): 1.8 - 2.2 kg (4.0 - 4.8 lbs)
    • Feather Color: Khaki
    • Egg Production: Approximately 300 - 340 eggs per year
  6. 6
    14
    votes
    Indian Runner Duck
    Bjoern Clauss · CC BY-SA 2.5
    The Indian Runner duck is a domesticated duck breed that is known for its upright posture and ability to lay a large number of eggs. They are also popular for their unique appearance and friendly disposition.
    The Indian Runner Duck is a domestic duck breed known for its distinctive tall and slender body shape. It is highly regarded for its remarkable egg-laying abilities and unique upright posture.
    • Size: Medium-sized
    • Body Shape: Tall and Slender
    • Upright Posture: Distinctive upright stance
    • Egg Production: Excellent
    • Egg Color: White or tinted
  7. 7
    5
    votes
    Call Duck
    Bartol666 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Call duck is a small domesticated duck breed that is popular for its unique appearance and friendly personality. They are often kept as pets and are known for their excellent egg-laying ability.
    The Call Duck is a small domestic duck breed known for its compact size and distinctive vocalizations. It was developed in the Netherlands as a game bird and became popular due to its charming appearance and entertaining nature.
    • Size: Small - typically weighs around 1-1.5 pounds (0.5-0.7 kg)
    • Appearance: Compact body, short and upright stance, rounded head, and a short, neat bill.
    • Plumage: Available in various colors including white, gray, mallard, blue fawn, chocolate, and more.
    • Vocalizations: Distinctive high-pitched calls and quacks, with a wide range of sounds that resemble human whistling.
    • Temperament: Active, curious, and social. Known for their friendly nature and adaptability to different environments.
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    The Cayuga duck is a domesticated duck breed that is known for its dark, iridescent plumage and meat quality. They are also popular for their excellent egg-laying ability and friendly personality.
    The Cayuga Duck is a breed of domesticated duck known for its unique and beautiful black plumage. It is named after Cayuga Lake in New York, where it was originally bred. The Cayuga Duck is valued for both its ornamental appeal and its utility as a meat and egg-producing breed.
    • Size: Medium to Large
    • Weight: 6-8 pounds (2.7-3.6 kg)
    • Plumage: Black with iridescent green sheen
    • Eggs: 140-180 white to grayish-blue eggs/year
    • Temperament: Calmer and less flighty
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    Welsh Harlequin Duck
    Family Member · CC0

    Welsh Harlequin Duck

    Leslie Bonnett
    The Welsh Harlequin duck is a domesticated duck breed that is popular for its excellent egg-laying ability and attractive plumage. They are also known for their friendly personality and ease of care.
    The Welsh Harlequin Duck is a highly regarded breed known for its striking appearance and docile nature. It was created by Leslie Bonnett in the mid-20th century in Wales, United Kingdom. Initially developed as a dual-purpose breed for both meat and egg production, it has gained popularity as an attractive exhibition and backyard duck.
    • Size: Medium
    • Weight (drake): 2.3-3 kg (5-6.5 lbs)
    • Weight (duck): 2-2.7 kg (4.5-6 lbs)
    • Color: Silver, Gold, or Blue phase
    • Egg production: 230-280 eggs per year
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    Swedish Duck
    Amos Oliver Doyle · CC BY-SA 4.0
    The Swedish duck is a domesticated duck breed that is known for its attractive plumage and high egg-laying ability. They are also popular for their friendly personality and ability to adapt to a variety of environments.
    The Swedish Duck, also known as the Swedish Blue Duck, is a popular breed of domestic duck. It is highly valued for its attractive appearance and versatile characteristics.
    • Size: Medium to large
    • Weight: Male: 5.5-7.7 pounds (2.5-3.5 kg), Female: 4.4-6.6 pounds (2-3 kg)
    • Color: Slate blue plumage with white bib and abdomen
    • Pattern: Solid color with no distinct markings
    • Egg Production: Approximately 100-200 eggs per year

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Ranking factors for popular duck breed

  1. Purpose
    Determine if the duck breed is primarily used for egg production, meat production, or as a pet/ornamental bird.
  2. Egg Production
    Evaluate the average number of eggs a specific duck breed can lay per year.
  3. Meat Quality
    Analyze the quality of meat produced by the breed, including taste, texture, and nutritional value.
  4. Size and Growth Rate
    Note the adult size and how quickly the duck breed grows to its full weight.
  5. Hardiness
    Assess the duck breed's ability to withstand various climates, environments, and conditions, including tolerance to illnesses and diseases.
  6. Temperament and Behavior
    Consider the breed's personality traits, friendliness, and ability to coexist with other animals and humans.
  7. Availability and Price
    Evaluate the accessibility and affordability of the duck breed for potential buyers.
  8. Aesthetic Appeal
    Assess the physical appearance and unique features of the duck breed, including color, markings, and size.
  9. Maintenance and Care Requirements
    Determine the level of care a specific duck breed needs regarding food, shelter, and other needs such as grooming or health care.
  10. Adaptability
    Consider the duck breed's ability to adapt to different environments, such as urban or rural living conditions.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular duck breed. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or duck breed is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1459 views
  • 171 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each duck breed once every 24 hours. The rank of each duck breed is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular duck breed

Ducks are known for their adorable looks and playful behaviors. But did you know that there are over 120 different breeds of ducks? Each breed has its own unique characteristics and features that make them a favorite among duck enthusiasts. From the classic Mallard to the exotic Mandarin, there's no shortage of options when it comes to choosing the perfect duck breed. But which breed is the most popular? Join us as we explore the world of duck breeds and find out which one reigns supreme in the hearts of duck lovers everywhere.

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