12 Cheapest Ducks to Keep as Pets

Although ducks aren’t one of the most popular pet choices, they’re some of the most wonderful animals out there. Equally adorable as they are functional, ducks serve many purposes beyond companionship and egg-laying. If you’ve decided to add a duck (or a few!) to your family, here are 12 of the cheapest, most readily available breeds.

1. Pekin

When it comes to ducks, few are better than the Pekin. They’re famous for their egg-laying abilities, and they’re incredibly friendly and social, making them a great candidate to keep as a pet. Pekin ducklings are very affordable and cost roughly $12. However, this price can differ slightly depending on your location and their availability. There aren’t many downsides to choosing the Pekin, but owners should be aware that they are susceptible to obesity, and some can be extra vocal.

2. Call

Call ducks are arguably one of the cutest breeds there are, and luckily, they’re also one of the cheapest! A call duckling will cost between $15 and $20 on average. While some call ducks are okay with being held and cuddled, others are more independent and aloof. It’s really the luck of the draw, so although they may be affordable, there’s no guarantee they’ll be an excellent companion. In addition, these ducks are some of the most vocal of all, especially females. Some people even go as far as to say the amount of noise that call ducks make is bothersome. Before purchasing one as a pet, be sure that you’re ready to lose some sleep!

3. Rouen

Rouens often get mistaken for mallards, and it’s easy to see why. This gorgeous breed has captured the hearts of many people, and they’ve steadily become one of the most popular pet duck breeds in the world. Rouens are friendly, relaxed, social, and readily available in many places, which lends to their affordability. On average, a Rouen duckling will cost roughly $15. Another attractive quality is their quietness. Compared to other duck breeds, the Rouen isn’t particularly vocal, which is good for families that live in close proximity to neighbors (or those who just don’t want to deal with noise!) However, despite all these great qualities, they lack somewhat in egg-laying ability.

4. Muscovy

The Muscovy duck is another wonderful candidate for pet life. This breed is friendly, although somewhat less so than others we’ve discussed so far. Despite this, they’re incredibly intelligent, and many of them are able to lay eggs well. Owners worried about noisiness will also be sure to love the Muscovy duck, as they’re one of the quietest breeds of all. With so many wonderful qualities, it’s quite surprising that the Muscovy duck is so cheap. You can bring home a Muscovy duckling of your own for just $20 on average. As with all duck breeds, they’re social animals. Although you can raise one on their own, they’ll be much happier in a small social group.

5. Buff Orpington

Buff Orpingtons are one of the hardiest duck breeds out there, making them an excellent choice for owners who live in a variety of different climates. They are friendly, smart, and social, and because of this, owners report it’s common to forge deep bonds with ducks of this breed. Buff Orpington ducks are excellent egg layers, and each duckling only costs about $15. Compared to other ducks, Buff Orpingtons are somewhat quieter, which is yet another attractive quality that this breed possesses.

6. Welsh Harlequin

Welsh harlequins are essentially the poster children for excellent pet duck breeds. Their best quality is undoubtedly their personality. They’re incredibly relaxed and laid back, which makes them excellent for households with young children and other animals. In addition, they lay an abundance of eggs, so they’re not only friendly but functional! Caring for this breed is easy, as they don’t have special needs, and many are gifted foragers. Welsh harlequin prices are very reasonable at about $20 per duckling, and because they’re so popular, finding them shouldn’t be too challenging.

7. Khaki Campbell

The Khaki Campbell duck is somewhat of a divisive choice for a duck breed to keep as a pet. Although they are egg-laying champions and many have friendly personalities, they are characteristically anxious and high-strung. This is a general statement and not every Khaki Campbell will display this trait, but it’s good to keep in mind regardless. Although some people report that their Khaki Campbells are quiet, others report that they’re very noisy. Despite this, this breed is still very beginner-friendly and affordable at just $15 per duckling. In essence, when it comes to Khaki Campbells, it really comes down to the individual personality of the duck you get.

8. Blue Swedish

The blue Swedish duck is well known for having a calm and relaxed temperament. They make excellent pets, and they get along wonderfully with other animals and young children. Although they may not be as gifted at egg-laying as other duck breeds, they’re still incredibly functional. Many owners report that this breed is one of the most intelligent of all and training them is simple and quick. They’re great foragers and hardy to cold and warm temperatures, making care easy and affordable. On average, blue Swedish ducks will cost about $10 each, making them one of the cheapest of all.

9. Magpie

Although some people may call the magpie duck too anxious to be well suited for pet life, others sing their praises. What it comes down to is how early you begin socializing this breed. According to The Livestock Conservancy, “Magpies tend to have high-strung dispositions. If they are handled when young, they can be friendly birds that get along with other animals and will like to interact with adults and children.” Despite this, magpies are excellent layers and foragers. Compared to other breeds, they are on the quieter side, so they make excellent pets for those with close neighbors. Ducklings are cheap, and range in price from $15 to $25 each.

10. Ancona

The Ancona duck is another prolific egg layer with a sweet personality and high intelligence. Some owners report that members of this breed have quirky personalities, and each one is different from the next. Although Ancona ducks might be a bit harder to find than some of the other breeds we’ve discussed so far, they’re still very cheap at roughly $15 per duckling. These adorable birds are also aesthetically pleasing, which isn’t really a functional quality, but a bonus nonetheless!

11. Cayuga

Much like most of the other entries on this list, Cayuga ducks all share similar personality traits. They are friendly, curious, social, calm and smart. They are a quieter breed that lays eggs very well, making them very well-suited to urban life. In addition, Cayuga ducks are undeniably stunning. Although they have a dark appearance, their feathers shimmer in different shades of emerald and blue in direct sunlight. Cayuga ducks are also incredibly popular, which makes them widely available and very cheap. Because of this, you can bring home a Cayuga duckling of your own for roughly $15.

12. Saxony

Let’s face it, when it comes to duck breeds, the Saxony stand in a league all their own. These elegant and sleek ducks originate from Germany. They lay eggs well, and owners can expect roughly 5 per week. Caring for these birds is affordable as they are hardy in cold and warm temperatures, and many are excellent foragers. Saxony ducklings are priced between $15 and $20 on average, making them a very economical choice.