Be part of the flock! 🦆

Join 500+ other duck owners for farm updates, practical duck tips, and trusted advice from Derek.

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Be part of the flock! 🦆

Join 500+ other duck owners for farm updates, practical duck tips, and trusted advice from Derek.

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Name

Female Ducks

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Appearance

As a general rule, female ducks tend to look softer and more camouflaged than the bold, flashy males. In most species, like the Silver Appleyard ducks, the drakes (males) have bright colors for display, while the females' colors are designed to blend in and protect nests. Female ducks are often a bit smaller and lighter than males, with a more sleek, streamlined body.

Egg Production

Female ducks are the complete engine of egg production. Some domesticated female "layer" ducks, like the Khaki Campbell ducks, are capable of laying around 250-300 eggs a year. Female ducks generally prefer quiet, slightly dark spots to lay their eggs, so don't be surprised to find eggs in random places at times. Broodiness depends a lot on the breed, with some heavy layer ducks being less so, while ducks like Muscovies tend to be more broody.

Temperament

In most cases, female ducks are more easy-going and flock-oriented than males. They learn routines quickly, especially when it comes to where food and water are. Hens are typically friendlier and share space well with other females. When raised from ducklings, they’re often curious, personable, and fairly easy to handle.

  • Black Female Muscovy Ducks

    I have been really impressed with this company. I ordered 10 black female muscovy ducklings. I'm new to this and asked a question, and they provided quick and kind customer service. My babies are now 9 weeks old and doing great! Even prettier than I pictured!
    Liz Hammer

  • Female Pekin Ducks

    I got 8 Pekin females. They are now 3 weeks old and doing great. Fast shipping and great packaging.
    Tammy C

Female Duck FAQs

Yes, female ducks tend to be more outspoken than males, and are often the ones responsible for a loud, bossy "quack".

No, female ducks can lay eggs just fine on their own, though the eggs will not be fertile without a drake.

Most domestic duck breeds begin laying between 5 and 7 months of age, with timing influenced by their breed, diet, and the season.

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