In most common duck breeds, male ducks, known as drakes, tend to have bolder, brighter plumage than females. The brighter colors help males attract mates, while the muted colors work well with the females nesting habits. Male ducks tend to carry themselves a bit more upright, and have a stockier appearance. In many cases, they are larger and heavier than female ducks as well.
Meat Production
Male ducks generally are heavier with a slightly larger carcass and breast than female ducks. Though their meat might not be necessarily "better" than female duck meat, they usually grow faster and heavier, so they are handy if you want big "roasters" or are looking to clean out a straight run flock. A male duck can yield about 3-6 pounds of meat, though that number varies by breed.
Temperament
Though temperament varies by breed, male ducks tend to be more intense and complicated than female ducks. In a mixed flock and tight conditions, they can be status driven, and establish a pecking-order in the flock, which can result in scuffles, neck-grabbing, and chasing. Drakes tend to be more watchful and alert for danger, which can be a good thing in a flock. It is wise to consider the space, size, and the mix of your flock when you are purchasing male ducks.
Amazing Experience!
Absolutely amazing experience with them! I am so happy with my ducklings. I ordered 7 and got 8! I will definitely be buying from you guys again in the future!
Amaya Enochs
Silver Appleyard Ducks
Ordered 12 Silver Appleyards, received 13! 💚🦆 They are all happy, healthy & absolutely adorable! Thank you Shirlock Acres for amazing experience!! …
Trudi Henderson
Male Duck FAQs
In many breeds, males are more colorful or have distinct features.
No, female ducks can lay eggs just fine on their own, but you will need a male if you want fertilized eggs.
Yes. But it works best if you do not have females around, and there is plenty of space.
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-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.
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.
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 male 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)
