The Best Duck Breeds for Backyard Flocks (And What to Feed Them)
Kourtney DubayThinking about adding ducks to your backyard flock? You're not alone. Ducks are hardy, personable, and surprisingly low-maintenance — but choosing the right breed makes all the difference. Whether you're after eggs, pest control, or just a little farmyard charm, here are the best duck breeds for backyard keepers.
1. Pekin
The classic backyard duck. Pekins are large, calm, and friendly — great for families and beginners. They're fast growers and decent layers (150–200 eggs/year). Their white feathers and orange bills make them instantly recognizable.
Best for: Meat, eggs, and family flocks.
2. Khaki Campbell
If eggs are your priority, the Khaki Campbell is hard to beat — they can lay 250–340 eggs per year, rivaling many chicken breeds. They're active foragers and do well in smaller spaces as long as they have water access.
Best for: High egg production.
3. Welsh Harlequin
A beautiful, calm breed with excellent laying ability (250–300 eggs/year) and a docile temperament. Welsh Harlequins are a great dual-purpose option and tend to be quieter than Pekins — a plus for suburban backyards.
Best for: Eggs, aesthetics, and quieter neighborhoods.
4. Cayuga
Known for their stunning iridescent black-green plumage, Cayugas are a heritage American breed. They're calm, cold-hardy (ideal for Minnesota winters), and lay around 100–150 eggs per year — including some striking dark eggs early in the season.
Best for: Cold climates, heritage breed enthusiasts.
5. Buff (Orpington Duck)
The duck equivalent of a golden retriever. Buffs are gentle, calm, and easy to handle — excellent for families with kids. They lay around 150–220 eggs per year and forage well.
Best for: Family flocks, beginners.
What Do Backyard Ducks Need to Eat?
Ducks have different nutritional needs than chickens — they require more niacin for healthy leg development and shouldn't be fed medicated chick starter. A quality waterfowl or all-flock feed is essential, especially during the brooding stage and laying season. We carry the full Heim Milling duck feed line — locally milled and Minnesota-sourced — including 22% Duck & Goose Starter Crumble for ducklings, 19% Duck & Goose Grower Pellets for juveniles, and 17% Duck & Goose Layer/Breeder Pellets for your laying flock.
But feed is just the start. A happy backyard duck also needs the right setup: a secure coop, a waterer deep enough to submerge their bills, feeders that minimize waste, and bedding that stays dry. At Bloomington Farm & Feed, we carry everything you need to get your duck flock off to a great start — locally sourced and Minnesota-tested.
