Ducks for Eggs

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What Makes a Good Duck for Eggs

A great laying duck starts early, lays often, and keeps going. Egg-focused breeds are lean, active, and always on the move, which is exactly what you want from a hen that produces nearly every day. Both breeds here bring serious production, and both are gentle enough to make daily egg collection a pleasure.

Our Egg-Laying Breeds

Khaki Campbells are the egg-laying champions of the duck world, with hens typically laying 165 to 300 eggs a year and many averaging right around 300. Their white to cream eggs are richer than chicken eggs, with a generous yolk-to-white ratio. Silver Appleyards give you production and beauty in one bird, laying up to 265 eggs a year with smooth, bright-white shells and rich yolks that are prized for both hatching and the table. Campbells are slim, curious foragers who double as pest control, while Appleyards are large, colorful, and calm, and both are a great fit for families and first-time duck keepers.

Hens and Egg Laying

Hens are the engine of egg production, and most start laying between 5 and 7 months of age. They prefer quiet, slightly dark spots to lay, so don't be surprised to find eggs in random places now and then. Ducks that learn their routine quickly, like these, tend to settle in fast, and friendly hens are easy to handle when it's time to gather eggs.

Egg-Laying Ducks FAQs

Khaki Campbells are the top choice for egg production, laying 165 to 300 eggs a year. Silver Appleyards are a close second at up to 265 eggs a year, with the bonus of a larger body and a beautiful coat.

Look for a breed known for high yearly production, an active nature, and steady laying habits. Campbells and Appleyards both check every box.

It depends on the breed. Khaki Campbells lay around 165 to 300 eggs per year, and Silver Appleyards lay up to 265.

Most domestic ducks begin laying between 5 and 7 months of age. Breed, diet, and the season all play a part in the timing.

Hens lay eggs on their own. You only need a drake if you want fertile eggs for hatching.

Yes. Duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs, with rich yolks and thick whites, and they are great for baking and savory dishes.

Yes. Khaki Campbells are gentle, active, and family-friendly, and Silver Appleyards are docile and easy to handle, so both suit first-time duck keepers.

We ship our ducks anywhere in the United States. All duck orders are shipped as ducklings, and we require a minimum of 3 ducklings to ship.

Why Choose Shirlock Acres?

NPIP logo

NPIP-Certified Hatchery

From the moment a duckling hatches at Shirlock Acres, its health is our top priority. Because we’re an NPIP-certified hatchery, every bird is carefully monitored and tested to ensure its illness-free. When your ducklings arrive, they’ll be bright-eyed, energetic, and ready to thrive in your flock.

muscovy duck eggs in nest

Nearly 20 Years of Experience

In 2007, a few ducks in the Shirk family’s backyard sparked a passion that soon grew beyond our fence line. Today, Shirlock Acres ships ducklings across the country, but our heart is still rooted in family care. Roger and Derek Shirk continue to raise every bird with the same honesty and attention they’ve always given their own. Curious how it all began? You’ll find the full story on our About Us page.

incubator with duck eggs

State-of-the-Art Hatchery

From the moment they hatch, our ducklings are raised in a safe, well-kept environment where every detail is watched over with care. That attention ensures the birds you receive are healthy, thriving, and eager to settle into their new home.

Our Delivery Process

At Shirlock Acres, we take duckling delivery seriously. Before shipping, we hand-check every brown duckling and only send the strongest, freshest birds. You’ll get a tracking number and a heads-up when your ducklings ship, plus you’ll need to pick them up from the post office as soon as they arrive. We tweak our shipping process for the weather, and if anything goes wrong within the first 24 hours, we’ll make it right.

  • Shipments go out Mondays (every Monday for Muscovy, every other Monday for Pekin & Silver Appleyard)
  • Ducklings are shipped 0-2 days old, hand-checked for health
  • Boxes include soft bedding, ventilation, dividers, GroGel, and heat packs in winter
  • Tracking number and pickup notification provided
  • Immediate care: preheat brooder (85-90°F), provide warm water with electrolytes, starter feed, and monitor activity
  • Live arrival guarantee: refund or replacement if ducklings don’t survive the first 24 hours (photo required)
Our Duck Delivery
khaki campbell ducks- female ducks

We offer shipping to all the lower 48 states, Alaska, and the US Virgin Islands using USPS Priority Mail.