Keeping Backyard Ducks in New Zealand

Ducks are an underrated backyard bird and a brilliant fit for plenty of New Zealand sections. The good laying breeds can out lay a hen, they are cheerful, hardy in our wet climate, and they go after slugs and snails with real enthusiasm, which makes them a quiet ally in the vegetable garden. They are messier than chickens around water, but easy to love.

This page covers the breeds worth seeking out here, what ducks actually need to be happy, and the things that make them different to keeping hens.

Best duck breeds in New Zealand

Your choice comes down to eggs, meat or both, and all of these are available through New Zealand breeders and poultry sales. For sheer egg numbers the light laying breeds are remarkable, often beating hens, and they keep going through cold weather.

• Khaki Campbell: the standout layer, a hardy forager that can produce well over 250 eggs a year and keeps laying in the cold
• Indian Runner: the upright, comical breed that is also a prolific layer and an excellent slug hunter
• Pekin: the classic white duck, a fast growing meat breed and a calm, friendly bird
• Heritage and rare breeds are also kept here for character and for preserving the bloodlines

Water, shelter and space

The biggest myth about ducks is that they need a pond. They do not. What they must have is clean drinking water deep enough to dip their whole head and clear their eyes and nostrils, available at all times. A tub or trough they can submerge their bill in keeps them healthy. A pond or paddling pool is a bonus they will adore, not a requirement.

Ducks are hardy in the New Zealand climate and cope well with cold and wet, but they still need a dry, draught free shelter to sleep in and get out of the weather. They do not roost like chickens, so they bed down on the ground, which means clean dry bedding and good drainage matter. Expect mud and splashing wherever their water sits, so site it where a bit of mess does not bother you.

Predators, laws and how ducks differ

Ducks face the same New Zealand predators as chickens. Stoats, ferrets, dogs, hawks and rats are all a threat, and because ducks sleep on the ground rather than up on a perch they need a securely closed shelter at night just as much as hens do. The same predator proofing applies: solid mesh, no gaps, and shut them in at dusk.

Council rules generally treat ducks as poultry alongside hens, so the same bylaws on numbers, distances and nuisance usually apply, and you should check your local council the same way. Compared to chickens, ducks lay larger richer eggs, are gentler on garden beds since they dabble rather than scratch, and are champion pest controllers, but they make more mess around their water and are louder, as the females can be quite vocal.