Ducks for Meat

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What Makes a Good Meat Duck

A good meat duck grows fast, builds a big frame, and turns feed into tender, flavorful meat. Size and growth rate matter most, along with a broad chest, since the breast is the prized cut. Temperament plays a part too. Calm ducks eat well, gain steadily, and are easy to handle from hatch day to harvest day. Pekin and Muscovy ducks each bring these traits, with their own flavor and pace.

Pekin Ducks for Meat

Pekins are the most popular meat duck around, and it's easy to see why. They grow quickly into large, solid birds, with males reaching 8 to 11 pounds and females 7 to 9 pounds. The meat is tender and mild, and chefs and home cooks alike prize the generous breast. A Pekin yields about six pounds of meat on average, and some drakes produce even more. Their friendly, docile nature makes them a great match for beginners and mixed flocks.

Muscovy Ducks for Meat

Muscovies offer a different kind of meat. White Muscovy meat is 98% lean, mild, and often sold at premium prices. Black Muscovy meat is deep red, firm, and subtly rich, a favorite in both traditional and upscale recipes. White Muscovy drakes can reach 10 to 15 pounds, so there's plenty of bird to work with. These ducks are calm and quiet, communicating with soft coos and hisses instead of quacks, which makes them welcome in backyards of all sizes.

Drakes, Hens, and Straight Run

Drakes grow faster and heavier, with larger carcasses and breasts, making them the go-to for big roasters. Hens produce lighter meat that can be a bit more delicate, and they can be kept on for eggs. Straight run is a favorite with homesteaders who raise the whole group together, keep a few females for eggs, and harvest the rest. If you're keeping a mixed flock long term, plan on one drake for every four to six hens.

Meat Ducks FAQs

Pekin ducks are the most popular choice for meat, thanks to their fast growth, large size, and tender, mild flavor. Muscovies are a favorite for lean, richly flavored meat. The best pick depends on the taste and size you're after.

Look for a breed with fast growth, a large body, and a full breast. A calm temperament is a bonus, since relaxed ducks are easier to raise and tend to gain weight steadily.

Pekins grow quickly and are typically ready in about 8 to 10 weeks. Muscovies take longer, usually around 12 to 16 weeks, and reward the wait with a big, lean bird.

It varies by breed and gender. A Pekin averages about six pounds of meat, and a male duck can yield roughly 3 to 6 pounds depending on the breed. White Muscovy drakes can reach 10 to 15 pounds live weight.

Males usually grow faster and larger, so they're the top pick for big roasters. Female meat can be slightly more delicate. Both are excellent eating.

Pekin meat is tender and mild, with a generous breast. Muscovy meat is leaner and firmer, and Black Muscovy meat is a deeper red with a subtle richness.

Yes. Many people order straight run ducklings, keep a few females for eggs, and harvest the rest for the table.

We ship our ducks anywhere in the United States. All duck orders are shipped as ducklings.

Why Choose Shirlock Acres?

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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.