| Duck raising is becoming more and more popular | | | | most popular. These are large birds with white |
| because they are easier and less expensive to | | | | feathers. They are nervous by nature and bad |
| maintain than the chickens. | | | | sitters and one has to be careful as these birds |
| There are several breeds of ducks and some | | | | expect to be treated gently. |
| varieties are good for egg production, while some | | | | Muscovy is more like a goose as it grazes and |
| are better for their meat and yet others are | | | | eats grasses. They are extremely powerful in |
| used just for ornamental purposes. | | | | flight, but nature-wise they are friendly and can |
| The egg type ducks include Khaki Campbell and | | | | be tamed easily. There are two types, the white |
| the Indian Runner. | | | | and the dark Muscovy. Their claws are very |
| Khaki Campbell is a cross of the Fawn and white | | | | sharp and can easily rip open a person's hand, |
| Runner and Mallard ducks. Adult drakes weigh | | | | unless these birds are handled by the wings. |
| anywhere from 2.2 kg to 2.4 kg and ducks weigh | | | | Aylesbury is considered to be a perfect table bird |
| between 2.0 kg and 2.2 kg. They lay almost 300 | | | | because of the light bone structure and the high |
| eggs in an year, which is a very good number. | | | | percentage of white and creamy flesh. The meat |
| Indian Runner comes in three varieties, the Fawn | | | | production is excellent and it gets ready for the |
| and White Runner, White Runner and the Penciled | | | | market in just eight weeks. |
| variety. They lay around 250 eggs per year and | | | | The crested White are the ornamental variety of |
| this breed is considered to be the best egg layer | | | | ducks. In fact, they are considered to be dual |
| next only to Khaki Campbell. | | | | purpose birds, which can lay a fair amount of |
| There are a few good varieties of meat type | | | | eggs and also grow rapidly enough to make good |
| ducks; the most famous are the White Pekin, | | | | meat. They are mostly used for ornamental |
| Aylesbury and Muscovy. Another type of ducks | | | | purposes because they look gorgeous and stand |
| that are found in Andhra Pradesh, in a place called | | | | out in a group of birds, with their unique and |
| Kolluru are similar to broiler chicken and the meat | | | | beautiful crest on the head. They would make a |
| is said to be tastier along with being nutritious. | | | | perfect entry at any fair or competition. |
| Duck meat is said to be slightly high in fat and the | | | | With so many varieties to choose from, you will |
| protein content is almost the same as the hen. | | | | just have to pick a good variety based on your |
| White Pekin, which is from China, wins hands | | | | needs. |
| down as the best meat producing duck and is the | | | | |