Choosing the right duck breed is an important decision for any backyard duck keeper. While some duck breeds like Pekins can grow quite large, reaching weights of 9-14 lbs, other duck breeds stay small even when fully grown. So if you’re looking for a small duck breed that is suitable for your backyard flock, the good news is that there are several miniature duck options to consider.
Call Ducks
One of the smallest duck breeds is the Call duck, also known as a Miniature Call duck or Decoy duck. True to their name, Call ducks have a distinctive high-pitched call that sounds a bit like a peeping noise. They originated as decoy ducks used by hunters to attract wild ducks. Their small size of just 1.1-2.2 lbs makes them a great choice for backyard duck keepers.
In addition to their tiny stature, Call ducks are highly active and social ducks. Their busy activity and vocalizations can be quite entertaining to observe. Call ducks lay small white or tinted eggs and are not prolific egg layers, averaging around 100-150 eggs per year. While the hens go broody frequently, they are not known to be the best mothers. Their bright colors and patterns in shades of gray, brown, and white give them a very cute appearance.
Indian Runner Ducks
Indian Runner ducks are another miniature duck breed that is popular for backyard flocks. True to their name, these ducks have an upright posture and run around instead of waddling. This athletic duck breed originated in Asia and is appreciated for its high egg production. Indian Runners are a lightweight duck breed, with standard sizes weighing 3-4.5 lbs and bantam versions under 2 lbs.
These ducks are prolific layers, producing 200-300 eggs per year in shades of white, blue, or green. They do not tend to go broody and make mediocre mothers. Indian Runners are active foragers that thrive being allowed to roam and make use of space. Their slender bodies and upright carriage give them a distinctive appearance unlike other ducks.
Australian Spotted Ducks
Australian Spotted ducks, also nicknamed Spotted Javas, are another mini duck breed worth considering. Originating in Australia, these ducks typically weigh around 4 lbs. Both standard and bantam size Spotted ducks are available. They have attractive plumage in shades of brown, gray, and white that gives them a speckled appearance.
This active duck thrives in free range environments where they can graze, forage, and swim. They are cold hardy and do well in a variety of climates. Australian Spotted ducks lay a moderate number of cream or white eggs each year. With quiet personalities and a smaller size, they make a nice addition to a backyard flock.
Welsh Harlequin Ducks
The Welsh Harlequin is a medium sized duck breed that remains on the smaller side for a duck. Hens weigh 4-5 lbs at maturity, while drakes weigh 5-6.5 lbs. This breed originated in Wales during the late 1800s. They have a unique color pattern, with white plumage accented by gray, chocolate, or chestnut colored markings.
Welsh Harlequins are a calm duck breed that adapt well to confinement or free range setups. They are prolific layers, producing 200-350 light cream colored eggs annually. Welsh Harlequin ducks have a friendly, social demeanor and interact well with people. Their medium size makes them a nice backyard duck.
Crested Ducks
Crested duck breeds exhibit a unique tuft or crest of feathers on their heads. Three main types of crested ducks are the Crested, Tufted, and Swedish Blue ducks. On average, most crested ducks weigh 4-5 lbs, making them one of the smaller duck species.
In addition to their distinguishing crest of head feathers, crested ducks come in attractive color patterns like solid white, white and black, or bluish gray. They are decent egg layers and alert, active foragers well-suited for free range environments. The petite crested ducks are known for their friendly personalities.
Bantam Ducks
Many standard sized duck breeds have a corresponding bantam variety that is around 1/4 to 1/3 of the regular size. For example, there are bantam versions of popular duck breeds like the Mallard, Runner, Call, and Pekin ducks. Bantam duck weights range from 1-2 lbs generally.
While bantam ducks lay smaller eggs less frequently than standard ducks, they are the smallest duck variety available. Their tiny size makes them easy to handle and suitable for keeping in smaller spaces. They exhibit the same general traits of their standard sized counterparts.
Facts About Miniature Duck Breeds:
- Call Ducks are the smallest duck breed, weighing just 1.1-2.2 lbs
- Indian Runner ducks have an upright posture and run around instead of waddling
- Australian Spotted ducks are an active breed that thrives in free range environments
- Welsh Harlequin is a medium sized duck breed weighing 4-6.5 lbs at maturity
- Crested ducks have a tuft or crest of head feathers and weigh around 4-5 lbs
- Bantam duck breeds are miniature versions of standard ducks weighing 1-2 lbs
Ideal Housing and Care for Small Ducks
Caring for small duck breeds is similar to standard sized ducks, just on a smaller scale. Here are some tips for housing miniature ducks:
- Provide at least 2-3 square feet of coop space per duck. A small shed or chicken coop can work well.
- Use 6 inch tall barriers to keep small ducks contained, unlike the 12-24 inch barriers needed for big ducks.
- Allow access to a small pond or kiddie pool for swimming and rinsing feathers.
- Bed coops with wood shavings, straw, or other absorbent litter to contain messes.
- Provide adequate ventilation and clean coops regularly to control odor and ammonia buildup.
For feeding, offer starter feeds for the first 6-8 weeks, then switch to a maintenance duck feed. Provide supplemental treats like dried insects, vegetable scraps, and greens. Keep a source of fresh water available at all times in shallow containers that prevent drowning. With attentive care, miniature duck breeds can thrive and provide charm to any backyard flock.
Ideal Climates for Small Ducks
Different miniature duck breeds have differing tolerances for heat and cold. Some considerations include:
- Indian Runners tolerate hot climates well, while Call ducks prefer more moderate temperatures.
- Crested ducks and Welsh Harlequins acclimate better to colder northern climates.
- Most miniature ducks do well in temperate climates with seasons.
- Provide shade, ventilation, and water sources to help small ducks cope with heat.
- Supply shelter with bedding to protect ducks from temperature extremes.
With proper housing accommodations, small ducks can thrive in a wide range of climates. Choosing a breed well-suited to local conditions can help them cope with weather extremes when necessary.
Choosing the Right Small Duck Breed
When deciding on a miniature duck breed, consider factors like:
- Climate – Pick a breed suited for your region’s normal weather patterns.
- Available space – Make sure you can accommodate small duck housing needs.
- Temperament – Some breeds like Welsh Harlequins are calmer than active foragers like Indian Runners.
- Egg production – Call ducks lay less than prolific layers like Indian Runners.
- Broodiness – Select breeds like Indian Runners if you don’t want broody hens.
- Appearance – Breeds like Crested ducks add visual charm and interest.
Think about your preferences to select a miniature duck breed that will be enjoyable to keep long-term.
Pros and Cons of Miniature Duck Breeds
Here are some key advantages and disadvantages to consider with small ducks:
Pros:
- Compact size is easier to handle and house
- Unique appearance and behaviors
- Quieter than large ducks
- Need less space and can fit well in backyard flocks
- Eat less food than bigger ducks
- Fun to have cute miniature ducks
Cons:
- Can’t handle cold temperatures as well
- Lay smaller sized eggs less frequently
- Require specialized small poultry housing
- Some breeds are poor egg layers or mothers
- Require diligent watch due to small size
Overall, miniature ducks offer many enjoyable benefits for backyard duck keepers able to accommodate their unique housing and care needs.
Conclusion
Backyard duck enthusiasts who prefer a smaller duck breed have several great miniature options to choose from. Call ducks, Indian Runners, Australian Spotted, Welsh Harlequins, Crested ducks, and bantam ducks are all small duck breeds weighing 5 lbs or less. With proper housing, care, and breed selection for your climate, miniature ducks can make delightful and rewarding backyard pets.
Their petite size and unique traits like crests of feathers, high activity levels, and colorful patterns add diversity to any flock. Just be sure to provide small ducks with what they need through predator protection, access to water, and attentive overall care. With their quieter nature and compact housing requirements, miniature duck breeds offer an enjoyable way to keep ducks even in urban or suburban backyards.
