Best eating ducks?

[fethr37]

Meat duck breeders. What is your favorite breed for meat duck production and why? And what do you feed them to make them taste their best?

 

[PoultryBird12]

I have never raised meat ducks, but I've heard that Pekins are the best meat duck to buy. It's sad to me because I have 4 pet Pekins.

They are cheap, and fat, and have lots of meat .

Hope this helps a little!

 

[LilyD]

Meat duck breeders. What is your favorite breed for meat duck production and why? And what do you feed them to make them taste their best?

I have Muscovy for both meat and eggs. They are less fatty than other ducks and taste wonderful. I am only processing extra boys as they hatch out and so far they have worked well for me. They are very friendly and easy to handle but are a big duck with the drakes getting over 10lbs. Mine free range all day and then get free choice grain in their coop. They really only seem to eat the grain in the winter months in the spring summer and fall they range the whole property and eat bugs, grasses and whatever else they can find. The girls are very broody and will hatch out their own babies so they are very little work for me other than feeding and watering each day. They can hatch out up to 20 eggs in a clutch and will raise the babies themselves. All around a great duck but large enough to make a good meat duck as well.

 

[fethr37]

I have never raised meat ducks, but I've heard that Pekins are the best meat duck to buy. It's sad to me because I have 4 pet Pekins.

They are cheap, and fat, and have lots of meat .

Hope this helps a little!

It does seem sad when you raise them yourself. Not sure if I can. Domestic duck is some of the best meat there is IMO..But they do seem to grow on you and win your heart. I really don't mind butchering my neighbor's ducks when he offers me a couple. We'll see maybe I'll just let him butcher mine when the time comes.

 

[fethr37]

I have Muscovy for both meat and eggs. They are less fatty than other ducks and taste wonderful. I am only processing extra boys as they hatch out and so far they have worked well for me. They are very friendly and easy to handle but are a big duck with the drakes getting over 10lbs. Mine free range all day and then get free choice grain in their coop. They really only seem to eat the grain in the winter months in the spring summer and fall they range the whole property and eat bugs, grasses and whatever else they can find. The girls are very broody and will hatch out their own babies so they are very little work for me other than feeding and watering each day. They can hatch out up to 20 eggs in a clutch and will raise the babies themselves. All around a great duck but large enough to make a good meat duck as well.

Muscovys are a differant breed that is for sure. I like the fact that they are good at laying,being broody and hatching their own. Might try them. The only thing is I like the extra fat on ducks and also enjoy hearing the quaks other ducks make vs. the hissing sound Musscovy makes.

Do you know if it is possible or common for Muscovy and a Mallard the cross?

 

[LilyD]

Muscovys are a differant breed that is for sure. I like the fact that they are good at laying,being broody and hatching their own. Might try them. The only thing is I like the extra fat on ducks and also enjoy hearing the quaks other ducks make vs. the hissing sound Musscovy makes.

Do you know if it is possible or common for Muscovy and a Mallard the cross?

Yes it is they call it a Moulard I think and it is a very good meat duck from what I hear. I only have Scovies so I have no experience with them. I do know that they are usually sterile and can't create babies but they are good for laying eggs or for eating.

 

[HumbleHen207]

Rouens and Pekins make very good ducks if you are looking for a relatively cheap, fast growing, and large sized ducks. They have cleaner looking carcasses than other breeds as well. This being said, they aren't my favorite eating ducks taste wise. I find my Cayugas to be superior taste wise, however they are slower growing, smaller, and have black feathers. There is just something about their meat my whole family prefers to the other breeds. For the most part I usually wind up just eating what ever drakes I can sell, or use in breeding.

 

[LilyD]

Rouens and Pekins make very good ducks if you are looking for a relatively cheap, fast growing, and large sized ducks. They have cleaner looking carcasses than other breeds as well. This being said, they aren't my favorite eating ducks taste wise. I find my Cayugas to be superior taste wise, however they are slower growing, smaller, and have black feathers. There is just something about their meat my whole family prefers to the other breeds. For the most part I usually wind up just eating what ever drakes I can sell, or use in breeding.

I totally agree with you. I put the babies up as they hatch in the spring and hit the poultry swaps with them and whatever ones don't sell by the fall when they are big enough to process are the ones that go into the freezer. I only have muscovies though. They taste like a really lean beef. There isn't much fat to them but their meat is outstanding. Everyone who I mention eating duck to complains that the meat is too greasy to eat. I finally got one of my sisters to try a muscovy and now she's hooked.