Large domestic ducks need facilities that fit adult birds, but size does not guarantee high egg output or easy handling. Compare sex-specific size, growth, activity, water use, and your purpose before selecting the largest bird on a list.
How Big Does a Duck Get Normally?
Like most birds, ducks are very light, even if they’re tall. Most ducks weigh between 1.5 and 4 pounds, so anything 5 pounds or larger is considered a big duck.
Biggest Duck Breeds
Here are eight of the biggest duck breeds that you can raise. If you decide to buy one of these breeds, make sure you provide them with extra space to accommodate their size.
#1 – Muscovy
- Weight: 10 to 18 pounds
Muscovy ducks are known as the biggest duck breed, but they’re also known for their friendly personalities. They don’t like being handled, but they love spending time near humans and following them around.
It’s common for males to weigh around 15 pounds. These ducks are usually black and/or white, but they’re most easily distinguished by the red, bumpy skin on their faces.
#2 – Aylesbury
- Weight: 9 to 12 pounds
Aylesbury ducks are large because they’re primarily used for meat in the United Kingdom, however, they’re uncommon in North America. The breed got its name because these ducks were originally bred in Aylesbury, England, during the 18th century.
Both males and females of this breed reach 10 pounds regularly. They have a simple appearance with white feathers and a pink-ish beak. If the duck’s legs and beak are orange without a pink tint, they’re not a purebred.
#3 – Pekin
- Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Pekin ducks look like Aylesbury ducks, but they’re white with bright orange beaks. They’re around the same size, and they’re used for meat in many countries. There is a less common “Jumbo” version of the breed that can reach up to 12 pounds.
Keepers also raise these versatile ducks for eggs and companionship. They’re docile pets that enjoy eating bugs and other pests that enter their space. They have stronger immune systems than most duck breeds, and they’re more tolerant of extreme temperatures.
#4 – Silver Appleyard
- Weight: 7 to 10 pounds
Silver appleyard ducks are better egg-layers than most heavy ducks, producing up to 270 eggs per year. They were first bred in the 1930s and named after their breeder, Reginald Appleyard. They’re meant to be dual-purpose birds that excel in both meat and egg production.
These ducks have beautiful pale feather patterns that consist of brown, white, and black. 9 pounds is a common weight for them. They’re intelligent birds that excel when they get free-range time.
#5 – Rouen
- Weight: 6 to 10 pounds
Rouen ducks are often mistaken for Mallards, but they’re at least several pounds larger. Like Mallards, the females are all brown while the males have a green head. Some Rouens may reach 12 pounds, but 8 to 9 is more common.
These ducks are easy-going, quiet birds. They can be used for eggs or pest control, but they’re more commonly used for meat. Yet, they’re slower to mature than most ducks because they aren’t full-grown until they’re about a year old. They originated in Rouen, France, hence the name.
#6 – Blue Swedish
- Weight: 6 to 9 pounds
Blue Swedish ducks, also known as Swedish Blue or simply Swedish, were a popular breed in the mid-1800s, but today, people tend to favor Aylesbury and Pekin ducks. They are commonly used for meat, but they can also lay up to 180 eggs per year.
These birds are shier than other big ducks, but their appearance helps them stand out. They have beautiful blue-gray feathers on their bodies with a black head and white belly. Blue Swedish ducks are considered endangered with only about 100 breeding pairs left.
#7 – Saxony
- Weight: 8 to 9 pounds
Saxony ducks are a German breed that was first bred in the 1930s. They’re dual-purpose birds, but they only lay an average amount of eggs each year. Some keepers favor them for their appearance above all else. Their only feather colors are gray-blue or chestnut. Patches of white are common too.
These ducks are considered friendly and intelligent, so they can happily coexist with other ducks. They’re good at foraging, and the female ducks will often incubate their own eggs. They’re a fun and beneficial breed to have around.
#8 – Cayuga
- Weight: 7 to 8 pounds
Cayugas are the smallest duck breed on this list, but they’re still several pounds larger than the average duck. They used to be raised for meat, but now, people keep them just because they’re beautiful. That have black feathers with a tint of green in them that’s especially shiny when the sunlight hits it right.
They’re quiet birds that do well in all types of environments. Their egg color changes as the year goes on. They have dark-colored eggs at the beginning of their laying season, but they’re almost white by the end. These ducks may also develop lighter feathers as they age.
How Much Space Do Large Ducks Need?
Space is the main difference between caring for a large duck and a small one. Large ducks need extra space to spread out and explore.
Most ducks only need about four square feet of floor space, but larger breeds should get closer to 10 to 15 square feet per bird. It might seem excessive, but this is where the ducks will spend their whole lives, so they deserve to have as much room as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you decide which duck breed to bring home, here are some questions duck keepers commonly ask.
There is no official record for the biggest duck ever. The most well-known large duck is Long Boi, who is a mix between a Mallard and Indian Runner. He stands about 3.5 feet tall, but his weight isn’t mentioned.
Yes, most ducks are easier to control than chickens, but each bird has their pros and cons. Chickens tend to be more active but also lay more eggs. Then, ducks lay less but produce bigger eggs. So, there are lots of pros and cons to weigh in.
In the wild, most ducks don’t live longer than 7 years, but in captivity, they can live anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on the breed and care provided.
Plan for adult drakes and wet conditions
Check door openings, comfortable footing, transport, and the ability to reach food and water without crowding. A maximum weight from one line is not a suitable figure for every bird sold under the breed name.
Compare Muscovy traits with Indian Runners for different priorities, and keep feeding and drainage in the decision. The domestic-duck guide covers daily work. Separate domestic breeds from the wild species identification guide; a large wild duck is not simply another livestock option.
